Who should Wladimir Klitschko fight next?

[IRISH LULLABY]

As long as it's a non title fight, yes. The era is weak enough, but to count Wach as a title defense would be atrocious.

We're in agreement that this Heavyweight era is weak, relative to past eras, that is an absolute truth. However, I disagree that a possible fight with Mariusz Wach should not be for the Heavyweight Championship. Wladimir is the Champion, he should be man enough to fight any and all challengers, as the Champion, with his crown on the line. The era being relatively weak is an external force which Wladimir cannot control, and if all other top contenders are tied with their respective bouts, and Wach is seen as the next best challenger, then it should be arranged that Wladimir defend his title against Wach to 'stay busy'. Past Champions have defended their crown against relatively weak competition; Ali against Lubbers, Louis against Roper etc.

[JAB5239]

We're in agreement that this Heavyweight era is weak, relative to past eras, that is an absolute truth. However, I disagree that a possible fight with Mariusz Wach should not be for the Heavyweight Championship. Wladimir is the Champion, he should be man enough to fight any and all challengers, as the Champion, with his crown on the line. The era being relatively weak is an external force which Wladimir cannot control, and if all other top contenders are tied with their respective bouts, and Wach is seen as the next best challenger, then it should be arranged that Wladimir defend his title against Wach to 'stay busy'. Past Champions have defended their crown against relatively weak competition; Ali against Lubbers, Louis against Roper etc.

And in my opinion they should not be excused of it either. I believe if a fighter isn't top 10 he shouldn't be given a title shot. All it is is fluff, padding for the resume. Years from now like the Lubbers and Roper fights it will be seen as a meaningless mismatch. I'd be more inclined to see a rematch clause put in the contract for a title fight in case of a win or controversial decision by the challenger.

[IRISH LULLABY]

And in my opinion they should not be excused of it either. I believe if a fighter isn't top 10 he shouldn't be given a title shot. All it is is fluff, padding for the resume. Years from now like the Lubbers and Roper fights it will be seen as a meaningless mismatch. I'd be more inclined to see a rematch clause put in the contract for a title fight in case of a win or controversial decision by the challenger.

I think you just provided a conclusive opposition to your stance. Years from now like the Lubbers and Roper fights it will be seen as a meaningless mismatch. Then it shall be seen as exactly that by public consensus. For the Heavyweight Champ to not put his title on the line, would be unprofessional. There are also various other conditions to consider, such as this act being considered a sign of disrespect to the challenger, who in this case is still undefeated, untested of course, but that should also be a consideration. Furthermore, there is always the difficulty of deciding whose perspective should be held to a higher degree. The Ring Top 10 shouldn't be considered as a hard-coded, set in stone barometer of which fighters deserve title shots. Although it may be the more credible measurement of the division, but there are always fighters who should be in the Top 10 but aren't because of various factors, differences in opinion etc.

There is just so much inconsistency with that stance, that I would rather the traditional opinion, that the Heavyweight Champ place his title on the line, against any challenger. JAT

[ChopperRead]

As long as it's a non title fight, yes. The era is weak enough, but to count Wach as a title defense would be atrocious.

Eat a sumo salad, fat boy.

[Hayehammer]

of course i would love the haye rematch but thats unllikely! at least not for his next fight so i would choose arreola! thats a fight that can be made easily

[The Hammer]

of course i would love the haye rematch but thats unllikely! at least not for his next fight so i would choose arreola! thats a fight that can be made easily

Hopefully Arreola, but Wlad may need to wait for a few months because Chris wants another warm-up, maybe against Michael Grant in September.