Vitali Klitschko or Wladimir Klitschko?

[Simurgh]

Why I think that? Because 1) Lewis was better.

That's the first thing. When Lewis had a poor defense, he beat the lineal champion of the world. When Wlad has a poor defense, he beats someone who's not even ranked in the top 25.

The tomato cans Wlad has been fighting - and they are tomato cans mostly - would not even be known in the 90s. The Pianetas, Wach's, Mormeck's, Thompson's, Sanders, Ibragimov, McCline, Barrett, Peter - hell even Povetkin - they are only the best of a bad bunch. No head movement, no ferocity, no excitement or style, no footwork, they are out of shape and overweight, don't fight each other... The list goes on and on. This era is starting to turn with some decent fighters coming up - but it truly has been a sad state of affairs since Lewis retired with belts changing hands every other week from guys who would be journeymen in the previous era.

Wlad would be a force in any era, i'm not dis*****g that. But he's missing the guys that could elevate his status. He has beaten a few good fighters like Byrd, Haye and Chagaev. But imagine what people would think of those defenses should Lewis had fought them in his prime? Jesus.

Lewis > Wlad - and Wlad can keep winning.

Some valid points, but I beg to disagree about the margin between the two fighters.

Surely Wlad doesn't have Holyfiled or Tyson on his resume but neither fighter was near prime when Lennox fought them.

Both great champions no doubt. More people will probably give the advantage to Lennox due to higher status of HW division in states at the time. In my book they will always be around the same. Below Ali, Luis and Foreman, but somewhere around the other greats.

[LacedUp]

Some valid points, but I beg to disagree about the margin between the two fighters.

Surely Wlad doesn't have Holyfiled or Tyson on his resume but neither fighter was near prime when Lennox fought them.

Both great champions no doubt. More people will probably give the advantage to Lennox due to higher status of HW division in states at the time. In my book they will always be around the same. Below Ali, Luis and Foreman, but somewhere around the other greats.

I think Lewis was the all-round better fighter. In terms of going for the kill more often than Wlad does - despite him fighting a higher level of opponents. They are a lot like each other, but Lewis has a slight edge in my opinion.

It really is a shame that we didn't see Wlad/Vitali against the likes of Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe, Lewis (for wlad), Ibeabuchi, Tua, Ruddock, Morrison, McCall, Foreman, Moorer, Golota, Mercer, Douglas, Briggs etc. That would have been great to see them in with that caliber of opponents.

[Someone88]

Why I think that? Because 1) Lewis was better.

That's the first thing. When Lewis had a poor defense, he beat the lineal champion of the world. When Wlad has a poor defense, he beats someone who's not even ranked in the top 25.

The tomato cans Wlad has been fighting - and they are tomato cans mostly - would not even be known in the 90s. The Pianetas, Wach's, Mormeck's, Thompson's, Sanders, Ibragimov, McCline, Barrett, Peter - hell even Povetkin - they are only the best of a bad bunch. No head movement, no ferocity, no excitement or style, no footwork, they are out of shape and overweight, don't fight each other... The list goes on and on. This era is starting to turn with some decent fighters coming up - but it truly has been a sad state of affairs since Lewis retired with belts changing hands every other week from guys who would be journeymen in the previous era.

Wlad would be a force in any era, i'm not dis*****g that. But he's missing the guys that could elevate his status. He has beaten a few good fighters like Byrd, Haye and Chagaev. But imagine what people would think of those defenses should Lewis had fought them in his prime? Jesus.

Lewis > Wlad - and Wlad can keep winning.

I think Povetkin should be included in the list of good fighters you brought up. I get what you're saying, but what if Wladimir beats Pulev, Wilder, Fury and some other top fighters as well? It comes down to whether a person favors quality or quantity.

To me there isn't much that separates them in terms of legacy, either could be considered ahead of the other but I do think if Wladimir keeps winning and consistently beats top opponents at some point more people would have him ahead of Lewis. Either way both are great fighters.

[Someone88]

Some valid points, but I beg to disagree about the margin between the two fighters.

Surely Wlad doesn't have Holyfiled or Tyson on his resume but neither fighter was near prime when Lennox fought them.

Both great champions no doubt. More people will probably give the advantage to Lennox due to higher status of HW division in states at the time. In my book they will always be around the same. Below Ali, Luis and Foreman, but somewhere around the other greats.

Yep that's how I see it too, Lewis and Wladimir are close in legacy but they'd be below Ali, Louis and Foreman as you stated.

[Someone88]

I think Lewis was the all-round better fighter. In terms of going for the kill more often than Wlad does - despite him fighting a higher level of opponents. They are a lot like each other, but Lewis has a slight edge in my opinion.

It really is a shame that we didn't see Wlad/Vitali against the likes of Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe, Lewis (for wlad), Ibeabuchi, Tua, Ruddock, Morrison, McCall, Foreman, Moorer, Golota, Mercer, Douglas, Briggs etc. That would have been great to see them in with that caliber of opponents.

Yep they would have been tough fights, Ibeabuchi had so much potential. He could have been among the greats. Tua in top form was an excellent fighter, Holyfield and Tyson I don't need to say much they are among the greats.

All Wladimir can do is keep winning, he can't do much about the competition.

[LacedUp]

I think Povetkin should be included in the list of good fighters you brought up. I get what you're saying, but what if Wladimir beats Pulev, Wilder, Fury and some other top fighters as well? It comes down to whether a person favors quality or quantity.

To me there isn't much that separates them in terms of legacy, either could be considered ahead of the other but I do think if Wladimir keeps winning and consistently beats top opponents at some point more people would have him ahead of Lewis. Either way both are great fighters.

What have any of those three done in the heavyweight division that would make someone elevate Wlad's status higher than what it is at the moment? Their combined best win is a fat, overweight and inactive Kevin Johnson on a 12 round decision.

It's not Wlad's fault per se, there's just no one out there yet who you can say "that guy looks like the next champion and he has a shot at Wlad" to. Nobody looks good. Wlad is head and shoulders above everyone else - there's no one that comes close to having the dedication or skill it requires to be a champion. Only Wlad.

That's how it is right now - maybe in 3-5 years time we'll have guys like the Fury's, Joshua, Jennings, Wilder causing some serious noise. At this moment they aren't.

Wlad is fringe top 10 at the moment. Lewis is established top 10. That's the difference.

Quality > quantity any day of the week. Great fighters have mixed the two and that's how you become great. Unfortunately , you don't decide the era you fight in.

[Simurgh]

I think Lewis was the all-round better fighter. In terms of going for the kill more often than Wlad does - despite him fighting a higher level of opponents. They are a lot like each other, but Lewis has a slight edge in my opinion.

It really is a shame that we didn't see Wlad/Vitali against the likes of Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe, Lewis (for wlad), Ibeabuchi, Tua, Ruddock, Morrison, McCall, Foreman, Moorer, Golota, Mercer, Douglas, Briggs etc. That would have been great to see them in with that caliber of opponents.

I agree Lewis is the better all-round fighter as he does more things better that Wlad, mostly inside game.

What I am not sure who is more effective. Wlad's style, although not always easy on eye, is extremely effective. There is no fighter who can defend against that jab, left hook and the straight right.

I know this is not the most popular opinion, but I believe that prime Vitali gives more problems to Wlad than prime Lennox.

However I also believe that Lennox beats Vitali more times in 10 fights, and Vitali beats Wlad more times in 10 fights. Wlad vs Lennox is pretty much even IMO. No matter how many fights I rewatched of these two fighters I have no idea who would get to whom quicker. I can see it going to distance quite easy as well.

[LacedUp]

I agree Lewis is the better all-round fighter as he does more things better that Wlad, mostly inside game.

What I am not sure who is more effective. Wlad's style, although always easy on eye, is extremely effective. There is no fighter who can defend against that jab, left hook and the straight right.

I know this is not the most popular opinion, but I believe that prime Vitali gives more problems to Wlad than prime Lennox.

However I also believe that Lennox beats Vitali more times in 10 fights, and Vitali beats Wlad more times in 10 fights. Wlad vs Lennox is pretty much even IMO. No matter how many fights I rewatched of these two fighters I have no idea who would get to whom quicker. I can see it going to distance quite easy as well.

He is extremely effective. I must give him that. The one thing I admire Wlad for more than anything else - is his ability to stay active and his determination to fight the best in the division. Now, that's not an easy feat considering his age and even when Manny was his trainer he would sigh at the thought of Wlad fighting Mormeck for example. I remember him saying that it was a weak fight and Wlad felt the same way, but there was no one else out there who would fight.

That's got to be frustrating, so I really do admire that aspect of his career. Not many could do that.

I think so too. Prime Vitali was a different kind of fighter than Lennox was. Not as technical and wasn't afraid to get stuck in like Lennox was sometimes. Wlad would have problems against that kind of fighter, and against Lennox it would probably be a snoozefest with both fighters not willing to engage.

It's a hard one between Lennox and Vitali. Pretty evenly matched in my opinion. I would give the edge to Lennox, but wouldn't be surprised if Vitali should beat him.

[Simurgh]

He is extremely effective. I must give him that. The one thing I admire Wlad for more than anything else - is his ability to stay active and his determination to fight the best in the division. Now, that's not an easy feat considering his age and even when Manny was his trainer he would sigh at the thought of Wlad fighting Mormeck for example. I remember him saying that it was a weak fight and Wlad felt the same way, but there was no one else out there who would fight.

That's got to be frustrating, so I really do admire that aspect of his career. Not many could do that.

I think so too. Prime Vitali was a different kind of fighter than Lennox was. Not as technical and wasn't afraid to get stuck in like Lennox was sometimes. Wlad would have problems against that kind of fighter, and against Lennox it would probably be a snoozefest with both fighters not willing to engage.

It's a hard one between Lennox and Vitali. Pretty evenly matched in my opinion. I would give the edge to Lennox, but wouldn't be surprised if Vitali should beat him.

Excellent post, agree word to word.

Green sent!

[LacedUp]

Excellent post, agree word to word.

Green sent!

Thanks mate.

Returned!