Vitali Klitschko: Too Late To Be Great?

**HeartAttack** · 09-24-2009, 12:54 AM

Well done Cliff. This is the unbiased truth about Vitali. Depending on your point of view, he was/wasn't fortunate enough to come along in this weak division. The true test right now that would significantly catapult him towards greatness would be to wrest the heavyweight title from his brother. That fight is NEVER GOING TO HAPPEN, and that's fine. Right now Vitali stands on the outside looking in when it comes to great heavyweights and as of right now, the hall of fame too. But if his body doesn't betray him and he can add other quality names to his resume like Chambers, Haye, Povetkin, and maybe Boytsov (Arreola is as good as on there) then we can start to talk about hall of fame, as long as he doesn't lose. But with the relative dearth of talent available to him before he retires, I doubt we see him achieve what he could've been had he fought in another era. Granted, the results could be much different if he fought in the late 80's and early 90's or early to mid 70's. I would give several top heavyweights the edge over him, but I think at the absolute minimum, he could've been a solid contender, and the ceiling we just don't know. The only great he faced he lost to in a hell of a fight that Vitali was rightfully winning but was taking huge bombs at the end. A rematch was definitely prudent but it didn't materialize. That only cost Vitali because Lennox didn't need him to cement his legacy, that was already done. Vitali's career will always be a giant "what if" and that's a shame for him, but he did well for what he was given. Could he have done more, sure, but Universum didn't get him the big names early on and then injuries stopped him later. To those who think he actually ducked Hasim Rahman, c'mon thats sad, but so has Vitali's chase of Lennox for the past 6 1/2 years.

**Phirsole** · 09-24-2009, 01:52 AM

Green K from me.

With the number of injuries he had, I don't expect Vitali to fight until he's 40+. And that leaves not enough room to gather the names for becoming an All Time Great.

Sad but true.

**vitali1999** · 09-24-2009, 03:02 AM

Vitali the great !!

He is already an ATG because fact is he would have been competitive with any champion in history and would have beaten all but maybe a handfull of them. He will knock out Arreola and stick around another 2 or 3 years without a loss if he wants to.

**crillz** · 09-24-2009, 03:09 AM

Vitali and Wladimir both made history already, this is not to be debated nor disputed. what can you say against that? how can you consider him anything less? what more can you ask for from a standrad Heavyweight Boxer? he's proven his worth and if he can beat Arreola it's only adding to an already great legacy.. you guys forget he took 4 years off and came back to STOP by way of quittig the man who was actually feared, he beat the breaks off Sam Peter after 4 years, gave him a worse beating than his all along active younger brother could. Vitali is already great so how can the too late to be great question be asked when he's already great?

**Davros?** · 09-24-2009, 03:20 AM

Originally posted by vitali1999

He is already an ATG because fact is he would have been competitive with any champion in history and would have beaten all but maybe a handfull of them. He will knock out Arreola and stick around another 2 or 3 years without a loss if he wants to.

That doesnt make you an ATG, Ibeabuchi had great talent is he an ATG?

**vitali1999** · 09-24-2009, 03:22 AM

Originally posted by crillz

Vitali and Wladimir both made history already, this is not to be debated nor disputed. what can you say against that? how can you consider him anything less? what more can you ask for from a standrad Heavyweight Boxer? he's proven his worth and if he can beat Arreola it's only adding to an already great legacy.. you guys forget he took 4 years off and came back to STOP by way of quittig the man who was actually feared, he beat the breaks off Sam Peter after 4 years, gave him a worse beating than his all along active younger brother could. Vitali is already great so how can the too late to be great question be asked when he's already great?

Finally someone that makes some sense.

**BetterCallSaul** · 09-24-2009, 03:40 AM

Vitali is already great. It's not his fault the HW division is so weak. He destroyed almost everybody put in front of him, only losing because of injury, and a cut eye.

But I can guarantee that if Arreola beats the old, well past-prime Klitschko, he will be heralded as a future great. One rule for one nation, another rule for another.

**Spray_resistant** · 09-24-2009, 03:45 AM

Both Vitali and Wlad are great the only thing they don't have that Lennox has was that career defining win against a very well recognized opponent and that is not either of their faults. Both still dominated the HW division in their time which is the present and have higher ko ratios than any other dominant HWs in their eras. It would not be a stretch to say that prime for prime they both would have a great chance at beating any HW of any time in boxing.

**PAC-BOY** · 09-24-2009, 03:47 AM

THe Klits are great. Cant tk nothing away from them considering the HW division isnt as great as it could be. THey have done great ...but IMO.... I believe Arreola will bring the pain. Im seeing Vit fighting a HW like hasnt been in the division in a while. **** or no ****...This guy fights! Hes willing to get hit to give a hit... Look for the upset!

Vitali Klitschko: Too Late To Be Great?