http://www. e a s t sideboxing.com/news.php?p=30277&more=1
Strangely enough, back when all-time great Larry Holmes was plying his trade in the late ‘70s and early-to-mid 1980s, fans and experts were complaining how the heavyweight division was on its downside; that the great fighters had pretty much all gone. Holmes himself is still angry today over the way he failed, as he puts it “to get his just due.”
Today, however, fans would give anything to see a fighter like Holmes - and the guys he fought, such as Tim Witherspoon (a great battle), Earnie Shavers, Mike Weaver, etc - in action. In fact today, fans look back at Holmes’ era as a great era indeed. Larry himself sure does, and in a recent interview with Leighton Ginn of The Desert Sun, “The Easton Assassin” spoke of how bad the heavyweight division is today - to the extent that the man on the street no longer knows who the world heavyweight champion actually is!
“The Klitschko brothers aren’t carrying it ,” Holmes said. “People are asking me every day, ‘Who’s the heavyweight champion?’ I don’t know. I feel sorry for boxing today because the heavyweight division carried boxing and the middleweights carried boxing. The only thing that’s carrying boxing now is the middleweight division, and people aren’t thinking about the other weight classes.”
Holmes went on to say how he feels boxing will “come back”, but that a “rising star is needed to take over boxing.” Larry may be guilty of over exaggerating as he claims the currently bad condition of boxing (as fans know, the Klitschko brothers are huge stars in all of Europe, where not only the heavyweight division but all of boxing currently thrives) but it’s hard to argue with him when he says that his era - and that of a few years before him, when Ali and Frazier were warring - was a very special time indeed.
Larry, like a number of U.S fans, seems despondent over the fact that America no longer plays a massive role in the heavyweight division. The “rising star” Holmes years for is surely of American origin. But will America ever climb back to dominate the sport’s most important weight class the way it did for almost a hundred years? Looking around for upcoming U.S heavyweight prospects, only Seth Mitchell looks promising.
Holmes wants the fans he meets and greets to once again know who the world heavyweight champion is. The way the Klitschkos are dominating, he may have a long wait.
A guy that even Holyfield's shot, decaying corpse was practically (unofficially) able to beat. :lol1:
Witherspoon has 3x as many wins over top ten Heavyweights as Haye & Chageav have combined.
The real question is whether or not Vitali even rates above Witherspoon.
Think about it.
They have about the same # of wins over top ten Heavyweights. Only Witherspoon's wins are of much better quality.
Also, Witherspoon's showing in his fight against a ATG Heavyweight in his prime was vastly superior to Vitali's showing when he fought an ATG Heavyweight, who was past his prime, inactive and out of shape.
The last paragraph is something to consider.
Sure he has :rofl: Wanking each other, that's the best you can do? :lol1: I was right, and you were wrong, probably because you just posted to hate, instead of thinking first about what you were saying and checking your facts.
Sure let's debate. What accomplishments does Witherspoon have than the other guys don't? Apart from only defending his title once, of course.
Top heavyweights both Haye and Chagaev have beaten:Valuev.
Top prime heavyweight Witherspoon has beaten: Page,Bruno,Tubbs ,Tillis,Snipes, Carl Williams, James Smith...
Any more questions?
Itherspoon lost a very close decision to ATG Holmes. Vitality had his face ripped open and lost to past prime ATG Lewis.
Both Haye and Chagaev have one win apiece over top 10 fighters with that victory coming over the mighty Valuev. Do I really need to continue?
:rofl::rofl: The mighty Valuev. This is getting funny.
Both Haye and Chagaev have one win apiece over top 10 fighters with that victory coming over the mighty Valuev.
A guy that even Holyfield's shot, decaying corpse was practically (unofficially) able to beat. :lol1:
Witherspoon has 3x as many wins over top ten Heavyweights as Haye & Chageav have combined.
The real question is whether or not Vitali even rates above Witherspoon.
Think about it.
They have about the same # of wins over top ten Heavyweights. Only Witherspoon's wins are of much better quality.
Also, Witherspoon's showing in his fight against a ATG Heavyweight in his prime was vastly superior to Vitali's showing when he fought an ATG Heavyweight, who was past his prime, inactive and out of shape.
The division is horrible, how could anyone argue that?
I'm repeating myself as i say this all the time, but the problem is not the Klitschko brothers. In fact, they are the only good thing about this era. They would be competitive just about in any hw era incluiding the 60s and 70s.
I also feel they are good ambassadors for the sport. The division is well alive and kicking, just not in the US.
When was the last time a US heavyweight sold out a stadium?
Of course the american public won't care for a eastern european "robotic" champion, but they are very popular abroad.
Sure let's debate. What accomplishments does Witherspoon have than the other guys don't? Apart from only defending his title once, of course.
Both Haye and Chagaev have one win apiece over top 10 fighters with that victory coming over the mighty Valuev. Do I really need to continue?
The Holmes era was fairly dire, although it was just a US scene and no better or worse that the current US scene. Nobody outside the US who remembers it cares much about Holmes's era: he didn't have the charisma of Ali and he wasn't a big puncher, so he's not remembered as a showman or a destructive hitter, too many decisions and unmemorable domestic fights.
What accomplishments does Witherspoon have than the other guys don't? Apart from only defending his title once, of course.
Your lord & savior Vitali doesn't even have high enough credentials to rank above Witherspoon.
So how in tarnation does Haye & Chageav outrank Witherspoon?
Are you suggesting that Vitali ranks BELOW Haye & Chageav?
:eek:
No, in reality he he would. He was better skilled and beat better fighters than either of those guys. Care to debate that?
As far as your other post.....I saw no reason to beat a dead horse. Joseph has already taken you to school on that. :fing02:
Sure he has :rofl: Wanking each other, that's the best you can do? :lol1: I was right, and you were wrong, probably because you just posted to hate, instead of thinking first about what you were saying and checking your facts.
Sure let's debate. What accomplishments does Witherspoon have than the other guys don't? Apart from only defending his title once, of course.
No, in reality he he would. He was better skilled and beat better fighters than either of those guys. Care to debate that?
No JAB, he doesn't. I'm more than certain the feller has never even seen a single Tim Witherspoon fight, nor does he have any familiarity whatsoever with any of the fighters that he's beaten. Which completely disqualifies him from the debate before it even begins.
Can you really take a guy seriously who believes Haye & Chagev are on par, skillset OR resume wise with Tim Weatherspoon? :rofl: There's no logical argument for it whatsoever, only in the world of Klitschko nutthuggery.
As a Klitschko nutthugger, i can guarantee you, he's been watching boxing for no more than 3 or 4 years, 5 years TOPS. So all him and other Klitschko nutthuggers know is this shitty ass era. Which is why Klitschko nutthuggers are unable to properly grasp how unbelievably shitty this era is.
In your deluded, jingoistic mind, I'm sure he would. I see you didn't adress my other post, must be because you have nothing to say about it and have realized your mistake.
No, in reality he he would. He was better skilled and beat better fighters than either of those guys. Care to debate that?
As far as your other post.....I saw no reason to beat a dead horse. Joseph has already taken you to school on that. :fing02:
This coming from a guy who thinks corrupt rankings determine who the best fighter in the division is.They don't always and I already exposed your idiocy with Corrie Sanders who never beat a top heavyweight outside of Wladimir. But you think he was the second best heavyweight in the world because of "ratings" lol.
With your logic, Erik Morales is the best in his division.
Comprehend that.
Your opinion is worthless. Corrupt rankings? These are RING magazine rankings I'm talking about, not ABC orgs rankings, WTF is corrupt about that?
You should show me the RING ratings that show Erik Morales ranked as #1 in his division, if you're going that route. Oh wait, you can't :lol1: Yeah that's what I thought :booty:
Comprehend what? That you're a clown? I already comprehended that a few posts ago.
Still waiting for you to tell me what will prevent Wlad from becoming undisputed after Vitali retires, BTW.
When Byrd was ranked #1. Ranked #1 shows he was considered the best in the division at that time, clown.
Exposing my ignorance? :rofl: The guy who can't even read and comprehend posts properly shouldn't make such claims, they only make you look (even more) stupid.
This coming from a guy who thinks corrupt rankings determine who the best fighter in the division is.They don't always and I already exposed your idiocy with Corrie Sanders who never beat a top heavyweight outside of Wladimir. But you think he was the second best heavyweight in the world because of "ratings" lol.
With your logic, Erik Morales is the best in his division.
Comprehend that.
Apparently you're not smart enough to realize that Wladimir fought Bryd twice. He beat him soundly in the first fight (While Lewis was active)and was favored in the rematch. Especially when Bryd looked bad in a questionable win over Golata. So where in this shows that Bryd was the best in the division?
You have to actually follow boxing to know these things. You're getting heated because I'm exposing your ignorance,clown.Haye and Chagaev more accomplished heavyweights than Witherspoon lol. Damn, you're stupid.
When Byrd was ranked #1. Ranked #1 shows he was considered the best in the division at that time, clown.
Exposing my ignorance? :rofl: The guy who can't even read and comprehend posts properly shouldn't make such claims, they only make you look (even more) stupid.
Apparently you're not smart enough to realize that Wladimir fought Bryd twice. He beat him soundly in the first fight (While Lewis was active)and was favored in the rematch. Especially when Bryd looked bad in a questionable win over Golata. So where in this shows that Bryd was the best in the division?
You have to actually follow boxing to know these things. You're getting heated because I'm exposing your ignorance,clown.Haye and Chagaev more accomplished heavyweights than Witherspoon lol. Damn, you're stupid.
:lol1::lol1::lol1::lol1:
When Byrd was #1 Lewis had already retired and hence didn't belong to the division anymore. Are you retarded or just trolling? I suggest you go back, reread those posts again, try to comprehend them this time, and then come back to me, because I'm getting tired of responding to your idiocy.
Oh yeah, how dare I claim those two guys are on the level of Witherspoon when Tim has the much better accomplishments... oh wait, he doesn't. F*ck off.
Apparently you're not smart enough to realize that Wladimir fought Bryd twice. He beat him soundly in the first fight (While Lewis was active)and was favored in the rematch. Especially when Bryd looked bad in a questionable draw with Golata.
Bryd was also knocked down in a questionable win over Jameel McCline. So where in this shows that Bryd was the best in the division?
You have to actually follow boxing to know these things. You're getting heated because I'm exposing your ignorance,clown.Haye and Chagaev more accomplished heavyweights than Witherspoon lol. Damn, you're stupid.
Bryd was never considered to be better than Lewis. To say otherwise is a lie. Are you. really that stupid? Claiming Haye and Chagaev were as good as Witherspoon speaks for itself
When Byrd was #1 Lewis had already retired and hence didn't belong to the division anymore. Are you retarded or just trolling? I suggest you go back, reread those posts again, try to comprehend them this time, and then come back to me, because I'm getting tired of responding to your idiocy.
Oh yeah, how dare I claim those two guys are on the level of Witherspoon when Tim has the much better accomplishments... oh wait, he doesn't. F*ck off.
So when Byrd was ranked #1 he was not considered the best in the division, I see :lol1: Idiot.
Obviously Sanders was not the best, it was Vitali since he was #1, Sanders was #2.
Whitherspoon is no better than Haye or Chagaev, he doesn't have the achievements to back it up. Yes, Sam Peter sounds familiar, he got beat 3 times by the Klitschkos, so?
WTF does that mean neither brother will ever beat the best in the division to unify the belts? When Vitali retires, Wlad will do it, and do it easily. The only thing I'm taking to the bank is your stupidity and inability to form a coherent argument.
Bryd was never considered to be better than Lewis. To say otherwise is a lie. Are you. really that stupid? Claiming Haye and Chagaev were as good as Witherspoon speaks for itself
Lol, you're joking, right? He was far better skill wise AND achievement wise. Maybe not at the time he fought Holmes, but that was just a glimpse of the future. Witherspoon would have beaten both Haye and Chagaev senseless. :lol1:
In your deluded, jingoistic mind, I'm sure he would. I see you didn't adress my other post, must be because you have nothing to say about it and have realized your mistake.
Actually, at the time prior to Vitali-Sanders, Sanders was ranked #3 behind Byrd, who also held the IBF title at the time. So naturally Vitali goes after the fight against the one-hit wonder journeyman, instead of avenging his disgraceful loss to the guy who took his virginity.
That made me :lol1:
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa32/lo9991/Sheep_eating.gif
That gif made me :lol1::lol1: even more!!!