“Fighting Words” – Wladimir Klitschko: Avoiding Mandatory Mediocrity in Two Easy Steps

[kayjay]

Not a chance in hell. Don't get me wrong I am a fan of Wlad and he is without a doubt in my mind the best heavyweight this day. However that is just it............it is THIS day and in THIS day the heavyweight division is as week as it has ever been.

Not anymore.

Are you aware that people have thought this in EVERY era? Look at the Ring all time rankings from the 70's, Jack Johnson is still #1. Nat Fleischer insisted that Ali and Frazier were not even top ten.

Now lok at the challengers in the 70's. Could Chuck Wepner get a shot today? Is he even as good as Ray Austin?

How about Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry (ok he's good, but he's like a smaller slower Ruslan Chagaev), Georger Chuvalo?

It's a terrible myth that the HWs used to be better than they are now.

The 80's were MUCH worse.

[SkillspayBills]

Not anymore.

Are you aware that people have thought this in EVERY era? Look at the Ring all time rankings from the 70's, Jack Johnson is still #1. Nat Fleischer insisted that Ali and Frazier were not even top ten.

Now lok at the challengers in the 70's. Could Chuck Wepner get a shot today? Is he even as good as Ray Austin?

How about Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry (ok he's good, but he's like a smaller slower Ruslan Chagaev), Georger Chuvalo?

It's a terrible myth that the HWs used to be better than they are now.

The 80's were MUCH worse.

The exposure is adding to the backlash that the HW division is getting. The HW's aren't garnering the sort of exposure that they once were and that lack of exposure is bringing this entire era of these HW's to as low a level as I can remember.

[kayjay]

The exposure is adding to the backlash that the HW division is getting. The HW's aren't garnering the sort of exposure that they once were and that lack of exposure is bringing this entire era of these HW's to as low a level as I can remember.

How does the lack of exposure diminish the quality of the actual fighters? There are a few excellent boxers at HW. And there never were more than that. The matchmaking problems allow guys from 15-25 to get constant shot, and they keep the top guys away from each other. But from 15-25 in any era you get a lot of slow awkward guys. Even the 70's were weak once you look past the three big names.

[paul750]

Nobody can question the guy's talent for a man of his size, but as yet, he hasn't really proven himself in a defining fight. A lot of people made a big fuss over the Samuel Peter win, but quite recently we saw Peter being floored three times by Jameel McCline, a guy who's power has never had people in awe. The bottom line is Peter himself has had no real big defining wins, except two wins off a fading James Toney.

There is simply no proof that he will not fold again if he comes under pressure with a durable hard punching heavyweight. If he fights everybody out there and shows heart he will continue to raise his profile and claim to be a great boxer, but until we see defining fights where he has to 'fight in the trenches' at some point, and face an exceptional technical boxer who will give him problems, it will only be what ifs instead of proof.

We only know the qualities he has shown, not the qualities he hasn't shown. He's a lot to prove before he can ever be compared to the likes of Lewis, but he has time to do it. The Sanders fight is still something that needs to happen regardless of how impractical it may seem.

[WLAD OWNS]

Not a chance in hell. Don't get me wrong I am a fan of Wlad and he is without a doubt in my mind the best heavyweight this day. However that is just it............it is THIS day and in THIS day the heavyweight division is as week as it has ever been.

Typical response from an American regarding the Heavyweight Division. Lack of exposure dosen't mean the Heavyweights are weak. There are plenty of talented Eastern European fighters in the division and up and comers like Boytsov,Povetkin,Dimitrenko,Platov,etc.

[Randall_Hopkirk]

I don't know about Wlad being an all time great. One of the most talented, of course but his best victories are over Chris Byrd and Brewster, hardly legendary.

[Leo Pradun]

Nobody can question the guy's talent for a man of his size, but as yet, he hasn't really proven himself in a defining fight. A lot of people made a big fuss over the Samuel Peter win, but quite recently we saw Peter being floored three times by Jameel McCline, a guy who's power has never had people in awe. The bottom line is Peter himself has had no real big defining wins, except two wins off a fading James Toney.

There is simply no proof that he will not fold again if he comes under pressure with a durable hard punching heavyweight. If he fights everybody out there and shows heart he will continue to raise his profile and claim to be a great boxer, but until we see defining fights where he has to 'fight in the trenches' at some point, and face an exceptional technical boxer who will give him problems, it will only be what ifs instead of proof.

We only know the qualities he has shown, not the qualities he hasn't shown. He's a lot to prove before he can ever be compared to the likes of Lewis, but he has time to do it. The Sanders fight is still something that needs to happen regardless of how impractical it may seem.

Peter seems to take straight punches pretty well but its the hooks and and uppercuts that give him problems, I just cannot belive still till this day that Mccline didint finish him off. I think Peter somehwere down the line is going to get beat down and pretty soon

[!! Mr. Soprano]

The exposure is adding to the backlash that the HW division is getting. The HW's aren't garnering the sort of exposure that they once were and that lack of exposure is bringing this entire era of these HW's to as low a level as I can remember.

As Don King says, "Only in America"

This is a demographic opinion.

In the countries of the former Soviet Union, Germany, and other parts of Europe, I'm sure people will mostly disagree as Boxing there is now bigger than ever... and I'm talking about the HW.

The reason why Americans complain, is that there aren't any American heroes left, nor seen on the horizon.. so we use the one possible excuse we can.
Our HWs are playing other sports (football, basketball), therefore if white boxers are ruling the division, the HW's suck!
I wonder if Wlad was Black (a la Lewis) would he be getting more recognition

[!! Mr. Soprano]

Nobody can question the guy's talent for a man of his size, but as yet, he hasn't really proven himself in a defining fight. A lot of people made a big fuss over the Samuel Peter win, but quite recently we saw Peter being floored three times by Jameel McCline, a guy who's power has never had people in awe. The bottom line is Peter himself has had no real big defining wins, except two wins off a fading James Toney.

There is simply no proof that he will not fold again if he comes under pressure with a durable hard punching heavyweight. If he fights everybody out there and shows heart he will continue to raise his profile and claim to be a great boxer, but until we see defining fights where he has to 'fight in the trenches' at some point, and face an exceptional technical boxer who will give him problems, it will only be what ifs instead of proof.

We only know the qualities he has shown, not the qualities he hasn't shown. He's a lot to prove before he can ever be compared to the likes of Lewis, but he has time to do it. The Sanders fight is still something that needs to happen regardless of how impractical it may seem.

McCline fought Peter like he had nothing to lose... Wlad was fighting scared and very cautios as his Boxing Career was literally on the line.

BTW, McCline also dropped Byrd so don't underastimate his power

[Steak]

the big problem with Wlad is his losses. personally, I dont count them much against him, but lets face it...people arent impressed with losses. I mean, Lennox gets horrible amounts of **** because he got knocked out by Rahman and McCall, and both times he wasnt counted out either. and he avenged the losses extremely dramatically, brutalized Rahman.

Im afraid people are going to count it against Wlad also.