At Heavyweight, None is the Loneliest Number

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

By Cliff Rold - It used to be the grandest prize in all of sport. One day, it might be again. The right fighter, the right style, and the stature of boxing’s Heavyweight champion of the world can always come back from the dead. The sport needs to have a Heavyweight champion of the world again first.

This Saturday marks the best opportunity for the vacant throne to be filled since the retirement of Lennox Lewis on February 6, 2004.

At over five years and change, it is by years the longest vacancy ever atop the Heavyweight division. While there have occasionally been split titles and varying claimants, it’s never taken this long for one single man to emerge as “The Man.” Mega-money showdowns featuring Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in the time between has once again disproven the idea that a strong Heavyweight division is a need, but there is no doubting mainstream attention would be consistently easier to find were there a true king of the jungle to point to. [details]

[mmayer1981]

Once again, easy fight for Klitschko, establish the distance, use the jab to set up the right hand, knockout victory, He and his brother are by far the two best heavyweights in the world, Chageav? Valuev? I mean really with these two bums holding championship belts. The last great heavyweight was just inducted into the hall of fame. You have all these names out there like Arreola, Povetkin. Who gives a crap about these guys.

[Drunken Cat]

I've grown to respect Klitschko as a damn good boxer. However, I think Chagaev may bring something to the table that Wladimer hasn't seen.

[joe strong]

I agree with this article on how it describes vitalis legacy.it's right on the money(of course klit fans will argue but to bad).it says exactly what I've been saying since I joined boxing seen.many boxing are in agreement while others disagree.the 2 most important fights of his career he lost to Byrd & lewis.he beat a grossly overweight kirk johnson & a semi retired,overweight,golfer from south Africa.the peter win was good as was the gomez win but really if those are your best wins he isn't anywhere near a hall of fame boxer.wlad on the other hand has improved over time & I am willing to accept wlad as a future hall of famer because of his amateur pedigree & solid pro career.he won't ever get that huge name on his resume but he cleaned out the present division if he beats chagaev.I don't think anyone can touch him but arreola possibly.arreola is the best prospect by a long shot.haye,chambers & those other eastern Europeans I'm not convinced of.they all got built up records vs lowclass opposition.I will add povetkin up along with arreola because he's beat better guys than arreola(minus mccline).povetkin & arreola are the only threats in my eyes.

[Nautilus]

By Cliff Rold - It used to be the grandest prize in all of sport. One day, it might be again. The right fighter, the right style, and the stature of boxing’s Heavyweight champion of the world can always come back from the dead. The sport needs to have a Heavyweight champion of the world again first.

This Saturday marks the best opportunity for the vacant throne to be filled since the retirement of Lennox Lewis on February 6, 2004.

At over five years and change, it is by years the longest vacancy ever atop the Heavyweight division. While there have occasionally been split titles and varying claimants, it’s never taken this long for one single man to emerge as “The Man.” Mega-money showdowns featuring Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton in the time between has once again disproven the idea that a strong Heavyweight division is a need, but there is no doubting mainstream attention would be consistently easier to find were there a true king of the jungle to point to. [details]

Wladimir and Vitaliy are easily the two best HW champions. This is quite clear. The article is typical of the biased American boxing journalism that can't still accept the fact that starting with Lewis the best HWs are no longer American.

[Aperion]

Wladimir and Vitaliy are easily the two best HW champions. This is quite clear. The article is typical of the biased American boxing journalism that can't still accept the fact that starting with Lewis the best HWs are no longer American.

True, but it seems like the brothers never go for it, all that power, stamina and technique, seems like a waste. I do like them, I'd just like to see more.

I believe there will never be a HW star ever again. These days, fighters think HW means you don't have to bother with nutrition, don't have to cut weight, don't have to care about that car tire of flab around your gut, and consequently can't and don't train as hard (with the notable exception of the Klitschkos). Most HW fights, regardless of what nationality of the fighters, are boring, two fat guys occasionally throwing punches when they take breaks from slow dancing together. Wow. I'll gladly watch unknown flyweights go at it over most any HW fights.

Look at Arreola, I love watching that guy fight, but once he gets on the other side of 30 that flab is going to catch up with him. During training he plays xbox and eats fried foods, not exactly the path to a world champion.

[vitali1999]

Good read, i havent been this excited about a HW fight since Klitschko vs Gomez. Wladimire isn't as exciting to watch as Big brother but he wins. And has gotten alot better over the years thanks to Stewart and because of him Wlad may not lose again, least not anytime soon. Just think its ****ed up how HBO televised Klitschko vs Rahman but won't go for this one. Rahman was a stand in for Povetkin but Chagaev is a better stand in than Rahman, a prime Rahman is one thing but like Toney he's finished. Anyway i still get to watch it, but Atlas suck's. Almost as annoying as Howard Cosell was.

[crold1]

Wladimir and Vitaliy are easily the two best HW champions. This is quite clear. The article is typical of the biased American boxing journalism that can't still accept the fact that starting with Lewis the best HWs are no longer American.

Where on Earth did it say anything about needing an American Heavyweight? You're reading your own hang ups into this. Had Vitali stayed healthy he was on his way to doing what the article talks about as far as being a universally awed champ. He didn't and, if either he or Wlad were going to, it would have happened by now.