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KLITSCHKO VS. THE LEGENDS.*
For those who are tired of watching Waldimir Klitschkodust off his competition, The RING is offering a temporary balm this month. No, we haven't finally talked him into fighting his brother Vitali. But we are reviewing an old journalistic chestnut and matching him against some legendary figures from boxings past.*
"Dream bout" articles are tricky. Would kiltschko and these phantoms of yore go 15 rounds or 12? Do they use up to date gloves or old style gloves with unattached thumbs? Is the referee from this era or an old time ref who allows the fight to continue through blood and multiple knockdowns? But even if the bouts take place under some sort of "unified rules of boxing eras" matching THE RING heavyweight champion against the legends is difficult for other reasons. For one, even klitschko's keenest admirers agree that he has ruled over a poor era of heavy weights. They'd also admit that his chin would probalby fail him in a shoot out. Still, some think klitschko might do well against the men who preceded him on the throne. *"It sounds like sacrilege but I think waldimir would beat many of the old time greats" said veteran boxing journalist Graham Houston, who has covered boxing since 1960. "Klitschko, to use the modern term, would be a bad style matchup. He's just to big".*
On the other hand ESPN's Teddy Atlas is among those who don't feel Klitschko's style or size count for much. The Klitschko who suffered some embarrassing loses early in his career is the real Klitschko, according to atlas, "and that guy doesn't have the character to compete with the the great fighters of the past." We told you this would be easy along with atlas THE RING asked other boxing panelist for their take on Wald vs the Greats.*
For those who are tired of watching Waldimir Klitschkodust off his competition, The RING is offering a temporary balm this month. No, we haven't finally talked him into fighting his brother Vitali. But we are reviewing an old journalistic chestnut and matching him against some legendary figures from boxings past.*
"Dream bout" articles are tricky. Would kiltschko and these phantoms of yore go 15 rounds or 12? Do they use up to date gloves or old style gloves with unattached thumbs? Is the referee from this era or an old time ref who allows the fight to continue through blood and multiple knockdowns? But even if the bouts take place under some sort of "unified rules of boxing eras" matching THE RING heavyweight champion against the legends is difficult for other reasons. For one, even klitschko's keenest admirers agree that he has ruled over a poor era of heavy weights. They'd also admit that his chin would probalby fail him in a shoot out. Still, some think klitschko might do well against the men who preceded him on the throne. *"It sounds like sacrilege but I think waldimir would beat many of the old time greats" said veteran boxing journalist Graham Houston, who has covered boxing since 1960. "Klitschko, to use the modern term, would be a bad style matchup. He's just to big".*
On the other hand ESPN's Teddy Atlas is among those who don't feel Klitschko's style or size count for much. The Klitschko who suffered some embarrassing loses early in his career is the real Klitschko, according to atlas, "and that guy doesn't have the character to compete with the the great fighters of the past." We told you this would be easy along with atlas THE RING asked other boxing panelist for their take on Wald vs the Greats.*
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