Is it racist to think the current heavyweights are crap?

[warp1432]

I like Wlad. Don't like Vitali, but he's entertaining.

Everyone else I couldn't care less.

[egreezy]

I didn't vote in his poll because of the way it's worded, but YES, much of the negativity toward the Eastern European fighters and the heavyweight division is racially motivated.

If Wlad and Vitali were black and American, but otherwise the same (records, titles, KOs, PhDs and all) they would be on the cover of half the magazines in America, and people like Natas would worship them!

so you think if Tony Thompson won that fight against Wlad, he would be a superstar now? He would still be unknown and it still would be not the most exciting division.

[ИATAS]

so you think if Tony Thompson won that fight against Wlad, he would be a superstar now? He would still be unknown and it still would be not the most exciting division.

Nah, not at all. Chris Byrd became a household name when he won a belt

[joseph5620]

People said that the division was weak when people like Rahman and Briggs were beltholders.

Yep. And that inculdes me.

[ИATAS]

Tony Thompson would have become very popular had he defeated Wlad, and with a series of wins over the other Europeans, would have become a household name.

If Sam Peter would have beaten Vitali, he would be on the front page of Sports Illustrated.

LOL, you are delusional!!!!!

[joseph5620]

I didn't vote in his poll because of the way it's worded, but YES, much of the negativity toward the Eastern European fighters and the heavyweight division is racially motivated.

If Wlad and Vitali were black and American, but otherwise the same (records, titles, KOs, PhDs and all) they would be on the cover of half the magazines in America, and people like Natas would worship them!

That's a lie right there. Larry Holmes was the undefeated champion yet Gerry Cooney, the challenger, was featured on all of the magazine covers for the fight including time and Sports illustrated. Not to mention they introduced Cooney first in the ring. Tommy Morrison got a movie role and plenty of publicity before winning a title. Andrew Golota is still getting title shots and PPV fights even though he doesn't have a single win over a top 10 contender in his entire career. So you can take that bull**** somewhere else. BTW, if you ever again send me red K for disagreeing with me, I'll make an effort tear your ass apart on here every day.

[βetamax]

If Wlad and Vitali were black and American, but otherwise the same (records, titles, KOs, PhDs and all) they would be on the cover of half the magazines in America, and people like Natas would worship them!

That's just ridiculous. I'll agree that Americans would get more coverage within the US but to suggest a Black American would get more recognition to then a White American fighter of the same caliber is some fantasyland nonsense. Do you really think that if there was a black Kelly Pavlik out there right now he would be getting as much attention? Would 5,000 fans travel to see him? Don't get me wrong Pavlik would be popular regardless of skin color but being white is definitely a boost.

[The Hammer]

That's just ridiculous. I'll agree that Americans would get more coverage within the US but to suggest a Black American would get more recognition to then a White American fighter of the same caliber is some fantasyland nonsense. Do you really think that if there was a black Kelly Pavlik out there right now he would be getting as much attention? Would 5,000 fans travel to see him? Don't get me wrong Pavlik would be popular regardless of skin color but being white is definitely a boost.

Kelly's not getting the kind of attention the black middleweight champions like Hagler received at the same point in their careers.

People I know have never heard of Pavlik, but everyone has heard of Kimbo Slice. But who is the better fighter?

Some people in the American sports media love black fighters..

[TheGreatA]

Kelly's not getting the kind of attention the black middleweight champions like Hagler received at the same point in their careers.

People I know have never heard of Pavlik, but everyone has heard of Kimbo Slice. But who is the better fighter?

Some people in the sports media love black fighters even though they're white themselves.

Hagler? Are you kidding me?

Hagler didn't get any attention until his 60th fight at age 31 against Thomas Hearns.

In fact he only got a title shot after 49 fights and was robbed of the win.

[Kastrioti]

Yes, it's racist because clearly these are the best HW ever!!