Dominant HW Champions that aren't considered ATG's...

[Mersey]

Are there any other HW's in history that have dominated the HW division (poor division or not), that are not considered as ATG's?

I always thought that this HW era is not strong enough to consider the Klitschko bro's as ATG's. But they have dominated the division for years. Are there any other previous HW champs that dominated like they did and are not considered ATG's?

[Spray_resistant]

Lennox got ****ted on too when he was an active fighter, but now is considered and ATG. The same will happen to both Klitschko brothers when they are gone and they are looked at in hindsight. It is really easy to scrutinize while fighters are active because as fans we expect alot out of our champions almost to a point of perfection but I think more ppl will realize later how great both Vitali and Wlad were when they are retired.

[Mersey]

I now beleive that they will both be considered as ATG's.

[S.G.]

IMO Wlad's historical standing is much higher than Vitali's as it stands, even taking into account Vitali avenging two of Wlad's losses on his behalf...

I think he's more talented and has the superior resume. Vitali is just tougher

[Mersey]

Anybody think they don't belong with the ATG's?

[D-MiZe]

Anybody think they don't belong with the ATG's?

Vitali isn't an ATG for ****.

[TheGreatA]

Not too many heavyweight champions aside from Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali are truly considered ATG's.

Would you consider Jim Jeffries and Sonny Liston all-time greats? Not really but they were dominant in their time.

If you're talking about the Klitschko brothers being hall of famers, that they already are.

[Phirsole]

Both Klitschkos have not lost a fight for five years. The Lewis fight was 2003, and Wlad's last loss was 2004 (vs. Brewster, which he avenged 2007).

And in the last couple of fights, their opponents even had difficulties touching let alone hurting them. They dominate any contender by a huge marging - it usually looks like they are from a completely different tier or division. Now, even us fanboys on the boards run out of names to throw at them.

These guys fight with their brain as much as their fists. They respect their opponents, do not diss them for "hype's sake", and come into the ring at top notch preparation - skill&fitness, and preparation for the particular opponent. They take their contenders apart slowly enough to let them quit before permanent injuries accrue. And giving the fans enough rounds to watch for their money.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD THEY DO? Find an US granny to adopt them for getting US citizenship? Break some laws for getting more attention in mass media? Take some hits in their fights? Change their style from defensive to kamikaze?

In my book, there is nothing they can do now to achieve a better reputation.

[TheGreatA]

The big problem that the Klitschko brothers face historically is that neither can prove themselves the best of their own time. The number 1 and 2 can't face each other because they are brothers and that has not happened any other time in boxing history, aside from perhaps the early 1900's with the racist "color line" and the great black fighters not being given a deserved shot at the title.

Imagine if Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali were brothers? Joe Louis and Max Schmeling? Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney? They would not have been able to define their own legacies by proving themselves the very best.

[D-MiZe]

The big problem that the Klitschko brothers face historically is that neither can prove themselves the best of their own time. The number 1 and 2 can't face each other because they are brothers and that has not happened any other time in boxing history, aside from perhaps the early 1900's with the racist "color line".

Imagine if Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali were brothers? Joe Louis and Max Schmeling? Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney? They would not have been able to define their own legacies by proving themselves the very best.

Exactly.