Vitali's legacy

[Weltschmerz]

Many boxing followers discredit Vitali Klitschko's achievements in the ring, claiming his resume to be 'weak', i.e. he hasn't fought good enough opposition to be able to claim greatness.

Will Vitali go down in boxing history as an ATG in your opinion?

[Capaedia]

No. Rightfully so, too.

Wlad has had to dominate his era thoroughly to earn that status. What has Vitali done to warrant it?

[Weltschmerz]

No. Rightfully so, too.

Wlad has had to dominate his era thoroughly to earn that status. What has Vitali done to warrant it?

His dominance and longevity, him being able to make that extraordinary comeback so late in his career. His dominance in the ring, how he methodically breaks his opponent down. His power. His iron chin, never been knocked down, never lost a decision, his only two losses coming by way of injury, ahead on the scorecards vs Byrd and Lewis.
One of the strongest hw's ever, one of the most intimidating too. Always in great shape, there's never been a champ his size in such an athletic shape, only his lil' bro.

[Capaedia]

His dominance and longevity, him being able to make that extraordinary comeback so late in his career. His dominance in the ring, how he methodically breaks his opponent down. His power. His iron chin, never been knocked down, never lost a decision, his only two losses coming by way of injury, ahead on the scorecards vs Byrd and Lewis.
One of the strongest hw's ever, one of the most intimidating too. Always in great shape, there's never been a champ his size in such an athletic shape, only his lil' bro.

What does he have to show for it? Two losses to the best fighters he fought? ATG status isn't something you just give to your favourite fighters on a whim. Whether you like it or not, that's misusing the term.

There is a difference between great and good. Vitali is good, but for various reasons he never staked his claim to greatness.

His brother is great because he took the better wins, he dominated the division while his brother was content to stay retired. Vitali missed the boat on being considered an ATG by any stretch of the imagination.

[Simurgh]

Depending on definition of ATG. He is definitely HOF.

[bojangles1987]

Vitali is a case of "Should have, but didn't."

I'm a fan, but you can't just ignore that he hasn't beaten any particularly good fighters. Absolutely no way he's close to being an ATG.

[Barry Halls]

Not a chance.

He'll be one of those that have the aura of being great but doesn't have the resume.

Kind of like Rid**** Bowe, but even weaker resume.

It's not his fault this division is weak, but out of the brothers he have fought clearly the worst guys.
And since they've helped each other to clean up the divisions, both brothers resume are weaker than it could have been.

Wladimir is borderline top10 hw of all time. Could end up there when he retires if he keeps fighting a few years.

Vitali is not close. Is he top25?

[Barry Halls]

I agree.

Vitali is definitely an ATG. He deserves more respect than he ever receives.

But he hasn't even fought the best heavyweights of his era?

His resume is much worse than Wladimirs.

[Weltschmerz]

What does he have to show for it? Two losses to the best fighters he fought? ATG status isn't something you just give to your favourite fighters on a whim. Whether you like it or not, that's misusing the term.

There is a difference between great and good. Vitali is good, but for various reasons he never staked his claim to greatness.

His brother is great because he took the better wins, he dominated the division while his brother was content to stay retired. Vitali missed the boat on being considered an ATG by any stretch of the imagination.

Depends on how you define it, then. He's an ATG in my book.

[Barry Halls]

List a top 10 heavyweight list with Vitali on it?

And this is based on actual wins. Not potential.