Curse you, Wladimir Klitschko...

[Scoooter]

...or something to that effect. A common sentiment, it seems, among modern boxing fans (or non-fans) regarding the world's best heavyweight. As an avid fan of the Sweet Science for many years, the vitriol and contempt for the Ukrainian fighter has always perplexed me (however mildly within the context of my own understanding of the issue).

Good looking, likeable, charismatic, big, strong, fast, smart, technically skilled, Liston-like jab, Shavers-esque power, 44 knockouts in 50 wins, constant tension/drama from the possibility of him getting knocked out, relatively frequent fights (3 this year, apparently), etc. In short, what's not to like?

Granted, doubly and triply so, his last fight was a bit of a snoozer, but it amazes me how maligned this Klitschko fellow is, while, at the same time, another heavyweight with great power, speed, and 44 knockouts in 50 fights - and, not to mention, a criminal/sexual-deviant/borderline-psychotic/sociopathic/headcase - is held in the esteem of a veritable boxing god.

I'm not his biggest fan in the world (or even on these boards, for that matter), but damn, why all the hate for Wlad Klitschko?

Try as he might, Wlad just can't seem to get much respect. But why? Perhaps we can use this thread to examine this issue, and, disregarding my own theories, conjectures, and opinions (many of which are undoubtedly correct) for the time being, I'd like to hear some of the more knowledgable boxing fans here on the boxingscene.com forums espouse said knowledge and illuminate, or attempt to illuminate, the complexities of this issue (non-issue?).

Some primers for discussion, perhaps:

His safety-first mindedness, especially later in his career. Is defense winning him fights at the expense of fans?

His position atop one of the (alledgedly; perceived?) weaker eras in heavyweight boxing history, especially insofar as American Fighters are concerned. Is it simply a general disinterest in the division, rather than a more focused dislike?

Johnson, Dempsey, Marciano, Louis (to an extent), Ali, Foreman, TYSON; is Wlad's nice-guy personality, or his supposed lack of a killer instinct (despite the high KO percentage) a turn off?

His fans, or what fans he does have. Are they just ****s? Is that the sticking point?

Is his perceived lack of popularity, especially as such is perceived on my part, simply an exaggeration? Or, after his career is over and done with (assuming it all goes smoothly from here on out), will we look back on him in a more favorable light, a la the venerable Lennox Lewis?

Thoughts? Quibbles? Seat-of-your-pants-dampness?

[The Hammer]

If he was black he'd be loved!

If you really want the truth, there it is. That's why some people are so hard on him. It's just a kind of ****** prejudice...

[WLAD OWNS]

The majority of the Klitschko haters are racist black men that can't stand seeing a white man dominating the heavyweight division.

[eneyman]

I had hope for Wladimir in the past, but after his last fight, my respect for him has been lost. He would rather play it safe and simply "get by" rather then fighting, rather then boxing. I've only become a big boxing fan in recent years but in MMA which I am also a huge fan of, there's a thing called "Lay n Pray" where a strong wrestler simply holds down and lays on top of his opponent for 3 rounds to gain a victory, never throwing a punch, never taking a risk.. and sadly, this is the way I view Klitschko now. I look forward to a real champion to emerge one of these days.

oh by the way, I am Russian.

[The Hammer]

I had hope for Wladimir in the past, but after his last fight, my respect for him has been lost. He would rather play it safe and simply "get by" rather then fighting, rather then boxing. I've only become a big boxing fan in recent years but in MMA which I am also a huge fan of, there's a thing called "Lay n Pray" where a strong wrestler simply holds down and lays on top of his opponent for 3 rounds to gain a victory, never throwing a punch, never taking a risk.. and sadly, this is the way I view Klitschko now. I look forward to a real champion to emerge one of these days.

oh by the way, I am Russian.

I really am of Russian heritage, and I know if YOU were really Russian, you wouldn't have posted that. You don't fool me...

[Scoooter]

I had hope for Wladimir in the past, but after his last fight, my respect for him has been lost. He would rather play it safe and simply "get by" rather then fighting, rather then boxing. I've only become a big boxing fan in recent years but in MMA which I am also a huge fan of, there's a thing called "Lay n Pray" where a strong wrestler simply holds down and lays on top of his opponent for 3 rounds to gain a victory, never throwing a punch, never taking a risk.. and sadly, this is the way I view Klitschko now. I look forward to a real champion to emerge one of these days.

oh by the way, I am Russian.

Interesting view, in light of the two fights prior to the Ibragimov snooze-fest, which were, I believe, a quick and sudden 2nd round TKO and a steady, 6 round bludgeoning, respectively (Austin, Brewster II). Could you possibly elaborate on why it took merely one boring (yet utterly dominant) fight for you to completely write him off as a respectable fighter?

The MMA parallel draws some marked fascination, if mostly for the central point it implies; namely, that doing the bare-minimum necessary to win a fight costs one popularity points. Not an entirely new concept, but a welcomed contribution to the thread nonetheless.

[eneyman]

eeslee tee doumayish eta, tagda tee balvan... don't turn boxing into a race war, it is a simple, beautiful thing.. don't ruin it with racism.. learn to admit when a person of your heritage has flaws.

[WLAD OWNS]

I had hope for Wladimir in the past, but after his last fight, my respect for him has been lost. He would rather play it safe and simply "get by" rather then fighting, rather then boxing. I've only become a big boxing fan in recent years but in MMA which I am also a huge fan of, there's a thing called "Lay n Pray" where a strong wrestler simply holds down and lays on top of his opponent for 3 rounds to gain a victory, never throwing a punch, never taking a risk.. and sadly, this is the way I view Klitschko now. I look forward to a real champion to emerge one of these days.

How many of Wlad's fights have you seen dip****??

You're judging him off ONE fight...It was a dominant virtual shutout from Wlad, but the reason it was lackluster was mostly because of Sultan Ibragimov....Sultan fought extremely defensive, leaning back and crouching so he could avoid Wlad's right hand or left hook and comeback with a big counterpunch....Wlad didn't fall into Sultan's trap, he played it smart and dominated him....Styles make fights....Sultan's new defensive minded style under Jeff Mayweather makes for lackluster fights.

[Ray*]

This has nothing to do with Race, Wlad is in a division most boxing fan(Not Just Wlad fans) dont consider exciting, he is the best of the bunch which says it all really..He doesnt excite me at ALL and to suggest race has anything to do with it is just ******ED...In fact i think the fact that His WHITE helped him even more to get to where he is.

[DiegoFuego]

No racism necessary. Cory Spinks is boring. Wlad Klitschko is boring. Bernard Hopkins is boring.