If Wladimir was American and black, would he be more accepted as a top heavyweight?

[Derranged]

The problem is thats a big "if". Its nearly impossible to tell that he's getting more criticism because of his race.

In boxing, everything is exaggerated. For instance, when you win impressively, you're the best fighter ever or the "savior" of the division you're in. When you lose or perform dismally, your career is done, find a new job, you were nothing but hype to begin with. Wladimir is getting harsh criticism for his dismal win over Ibragimov. Within a few weeks it will die down and will get turned around if he wins impressively the next fight.

[Welter_Skelter]

It seems to me Wladimir klitschko has always received more criticism than he deserves. The boxing writers and commentators, as well as some boxing fans, have always been very hard on him.

He's from the Ukraine and unlike the top heavyweights of the past 50 years like Ali, Holmes and Tyson, he's white.

If he was American and black, who he be better accepted?

Abso-****ing-lutely

[ROSS CALIFORNIA]

But the media was never so hard on Larry Holmes or Muhammed Ali. Many of Ali's fights, especially in the 70s when he was Wlad's age, were decision wins and rather boring.

Yes, but Ali actually looked good in doing it. Wlad looks like a big clumsy fighter compared to Ali. Holmes was really criticized as champion, so he shouldn't be used as an example.

[The Hammer]

The problem is thats a big "if". Its nearly impossible to tell that he's getting more criticism because of his race.

In boxing, everything is exaggerated. For instance, when you win impressively, you're the best fighter ever or the "savior" of the division you're in. When you lose or perform dismally, your career is done, find a new job, you were nothing but hype to begin with. Wladimir is getting harsh criticism for his dismal win over Ibragimov. Within a few weeks it will die down and will get turned around if he wins impressively the next fight.

But Wlad also received criticism after his second round KO over Austin. I remember the negative reports in Yahoo sports, for example.

Let's be honest about it, no matter what he does, he takes a lot of unfair criticism. And it's not just because of his race, it's partly because he's not an American.

[Benny Leonard]

Aye, that's a good point actually. The Batty Byrd was black and a Fat Yank. He didn't have a **** though (his wife had it) but it didn't do him any good.

Funny thing is Chris ate his way to get to 200+, fighting giants of the HW division. He has better fighters on his resume, like Ike, and a decent shape Tua, even though he lost to IKE, but did beat Tua.

I've always given credit to Chris because of the heart and skill (especially when he was younger and not the version we have seen lately). He wasn't a KO puncher and still could stand toe to toe when he wanted because he could slip and move in a short pocket.

Still not my choice for a fighter I like to watch, but I still will give him credit.

I like Wlad, but he will be harped on because he is 6'6, 240+ pounds and has many negatives: lack of stamina...lack of excitement in some of his fights...jabs people to death (but only because of the poor competition he gets away with it)...and of course he has been knocked out 3 times.


American or not, Wlad would take a lashing. People want more from him. They wanted more from Ali and Tyson...why not from Wlad?


Forgot to mention he beat Vitali.


Oh, and how is Chris fat?

[Mike Tyson77]

When Wlad adds the WBA or WBC to his belt collection, more people will know him.

[Benny Leonard]

But Wlad also received criticism after his second round KO over Austin. I remember the negative reports in Yahoo sports, for example.

Let's be honest about it, no matter what he does, he takes a lot of unfair criticism. And it's not just because of his race, it's partly because he's not an American.

Yes, it's all about him not being "American."

This is why the "Americans" hated Duran when he came here and nobody showed up to his fights. The same with no-hopers like Pac, Morales (and the rest of the Mexicans), Cotto and Tito, Arguello, etc.

I notice this as well in other "American" sports like baseball, which is regarded as the sacred sport of our past-time. We don't like those Dominacan fellas coming in here or the Jappies...so we don't root for them or allow them to play. Same with Basketball.

I see this as well in Movies: we don't like Foreign born Actors or Singers and refuse to go watch them perform.



What a joke.

[TheGreatA]

But Wlad also received criticism after his second round KO over Austin. I remember the negative reports in Yahoo sports, for example.

Let's be honest about it, no matter what he does, he takes a lot of unfair criticism. And it's not just because of his race, it's partly because he's not an American.

That's partly because of the opponent who he fought, Ray Austin.

Wladimir blamed the title organizations for making Austin a mandatory for his IBF title because of the 'draw' he had over an out of shape Iggy and Wlad was right, there was no way Austin should've been in the same ring as Wladimir. The fight was a waste of time.

Critics wanted him to unify the titles, well now he did (atleast the IBF/WBO titles) and those critics don't give him credit for it. That's what happens when you're at the top.

Every champion has been criticized, some people hate Ali as if he had killed their mother or something. Atleast Wladimir hasn't been banned from boxing like Ali was.

Holmes wasn't given credit for anything he did during his career until 10-20 years after. People wanted Gerry Cooney to destroy him.

Tyson was hyped up at the time but right now people say he is an overrated joke who fought no one.

Lewis said 'the history will treat me far better than my critics' or something like that and he was right. He wasn't given credit then but he is given credit now.

I don't even need to talk about Liston and Foreman who were treated as barbaric thugs.

[Benny Leonard]

It seems to me Wladimir klitschko has always received more criticism than he deserves. The boxing writers and commentators, as well as some boxing fans, have always been very hard on him.

He's from the Ukraine and unlike the top heavyweights of the past 50 years like Ali, Holmes and Tyson, he's white.

If he was American and black, who he be better accepted?

People just want to be entertained. If a "white-boy" can fight and is great, considering the people that pay the big money are mostly "white", the fighter would be better off.

His last fight was boring and I've heard from several of my friends that were watching it in bars that the channel was changed after 8th or so round (depending on the bar).

I watched it at home with a few friends and admit I wanted to flip the channel.

[Mike Tyson77]

That's partly because of the opponent who he fought, Ray Austin.

Wladimir blamed the title organizations for making Austin a mandatory for his IBF title because of the 'draw' he had over an out of shape Iggy and Wlad was right, there was no way Austin should've been in the same ring as Wladimir.

Every champion has been criticized, some people hate Ali as if he had killed their mother or something. Atleast Wladimir hasn't been banned from boxing like Ali was.

Holmes wasn't given credit for anything he did during his career until 10-20 years after. People wanted Gerry Cooney to destroy him.

Tyson was hyped up at the time but right now people say he is an overrated joke who fought no one.
Lewis said 'the history will treat me far better than my critics' or something like that and he was right. He wasn't given credit then but he is given credit now.

I don't even need to talk about Liston and Foreman who were treated as barbaric thugs.

He fought all top contenders availble to him.