What is the main reason some people hate the Klitschkos?

[starjammer]

I think there is a notion, for some fans, that the Heavyweight Champion should be black. We are coming from eras in which we had a supremely charismatic HW Champion named Muhammad Ali, a dominant champion in Larry Holmes and then followed by one of the most sensational of all time, Mike Tyson.

I don't think its a matter of direct racism, but subconsciously, I think some fans see a dominant white HW Champion and they are thinking that something is not right here. Their brains have trouble processing the information.

However, we also had an undisputed, black HW Champion in Lennox Lewis who never really had the favour of other champions. So maybe for these fans the requirements are that the HW Champion is black and American.

Of course there are other reasons for disliking the Klitschkos, such as styles and entertainment value or you might just think they're ****. I'm not trying to tar everyone with the same brush. I am talking about a certain segment of fans.

I think we are all racist on some level, most of the time subconsciously, informed by previous images and eras.

[The Hammer]

I think there is a notion, for some fans, that the Heavyweight Champion should be black. We are coming from eras in which we had a supremely charismatic HW Champion named Muhammad Ali, a dominant champion in Larry Holmes and then followed by one of the most sensational of all time, Mike Tyson.

I don't think its a matter of direct racism, but subconsciously, I think some fans see a dominant white HW Champion and they are thinking that something is not right here. Their brains have trouble processing the information.

However, we also had an undisputed, black HW Champion in Lennox Lewis who never really had the favour of other champions. So maybe for these fans the requirements are that the HW Champion is black and American.

Of course there are other reasons for disliking the Klitschkos, such as styles and entertainment value or you might just think they're ****. I'm not trying to tar everyone with the same brush. I am talking about a certain segment of fans.

I think we are all racist on some level, most of the time subconsciously, informed by previous images and eras.

Interesting post.

[Who are you?]

Being perfectly honest here, American culture is centered around black people being better at sports than white people, thats the way things are perceived as being in USA. So Americans look at the Klitschko's and find it hard to give them credit. This is a racial bias.

So yes, I think the fact Klitschko's are white, a lot of Americans have a hard time accepting that.

But really, if you look at boxing as a whole, Europeans are very successful and have been increasingly in the past 10 years. Its also interesting to note that Great Black American fighters (Ali, Frazier, Louis etc) never had to compete with Eastern Euros, because at that time there was communism and Eastern Euros werent competing.

I think ,had Russians been in pro boxing for al onger time, many of these great Black American fighters probably would have lost to a lot of Russians.

Thats certainly whats happening today and really it all comes down to amateur systems in place.

[Who are you?]

What we see in amateur boxing today (ie 0 US Gold Medals, many European Gold Medals) goes on to manifest itself in pro boxing, say 5 years, 6 years later.

Boxing is a much more global sport than it was 10 years ago, and yes, a lot of American fans cannot accept that. It has to do with race and it also has to do with culture.

[Frank Ducketts]

Nobody hates Vitali, we just hate Wlad for his holding and not rematching 2 men who beat him by ko... Also Wlad did not rematch Davaryll Williamson...and Wlad has never been a ppv heavy which means his style...while he's winning is unexciting to watch to most fans imo...

[Who are you?]

Personally, Ive always been a big fan of Vitali. Guy is awesome, knocks everyone out. Just awesome.

Wlad, Ive become a fan of only in 2008 onwards. He was KO'd earlier in his career quite badly, and I never really thought he was that good. Mind you, Wlad has improved a lot. And in the last 2, 3 years he is untouchable. So I have become a fan of him.

I do think Wlad belongs on a P4P list, Id put him around #5 or so.

[Franco2012]

They hate them cuz they are so dominate that Americans heavyweights quit boxing and switch to another sports.

[King Ju-Ju]

I wouldn't say I dislike them. Vitali is a tough guy. Wlad is a lil ***** imo. Overall I wouldn't say I hate either 1. Their fans though consider them 2 be the greatest heavyweights of all time. That's so ****ing annoying. That's what most people hate. Also the Heavyweight division sucks. Not their fault but its easy 2 be the best boxer in a weight class when the division is doo-doo.

[kenso]

no boxing scribe in the entire world has ever said these guys rank with the elite of the past.

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=30926

[lfc19titles]

I dont hate them but I refuse to bow down to you klit fans trying to force him onto me

Is he a good boxer? yes

Is he boring yes?

How many fall of famers or atg have they defeated?

I like him but refuse to bow down to your insane ramblings about him mate!