Why does Vitali Klitschko deserve the Ring belt?

[Bryght]

Why does Vitali Klitschko deserve the Ring belt?

by Jimmy Bryght, independent sportswriter

Last year Nigel Collins, the editor of The Ring Magazine, appointed Vitali Klitschko as the magazine's heavyweight champion of world. And while I adore Vitali and have always been impressed by his domination of opponents, I don't quite get why Collins would just anoint VK as king of the big men without some proof that he can beat the best of the best.

Face it, he knocked Lummox Lewis silly in that six-round "loss" in Los Angeles. Lewis was exhausted and was lucky to escape with his title that night. Lummox subsequently retired when the WBC mandated an immediate rematch between the two.

You could almost smell Lewis' fear.

Then, in a match for the vacant WBC crown, VK thoroughly dominated a journeyman fighter named Corrie Sanders who had embarassed a younger Wladimir Klitschko some months before. Sure, Sanders is a tough guy, but he's never been in the Top Five in anyone's list until he blasted WK.

A few months ago, VK destroyed another journeyman (Danny Williams) who got lucky enough to knock the hell out of an ancient and injured Mike Tyson. Big deal.

In my opinion, Vitali Klitschko doesn't deserve to called the heavyweight champion of the world just yet. He needs to clean out the division first. Not even Lummox Lewis could do that. VK must fight a rematch with Chris Byrd, the man Lewis ducked for five years. Bryd defeated VK several years ago via TKO when Klitschko had to retire on his stool due to a shoulder injury.

Also, Vitali must knock WBA beltholder John "Mr. Average" Ruiz off his pedestal and end that boring man's reign so we're never cursed by watching his yawn-fests again.

In one hand, Vitali holds the WBC belt, which is about as useful as a screen door on a submarine. In the other hand he holds The Ring Magazine's paper title, which he hasn't earned yet according Collins' own rules. So, who's the heavyweight champion of the world?

Each person gets to decide that for her/himself.

[Moon]

Jimmy Bryght should find another vocation, maybe writing fiction.

Mr. Not-So-Bryght claims that Lennox was being knocked silly and was exhausted and you could "smell Lewis' fear". Regarding fear, Lewis kept coming forward, even in round six. Fear doesn't usually make you march forward like Lennox was doing. Regarding being exhausted let's be fair, both guys looked like ****. If Lennox was exhausted, then what do you say to Vitali hangin' all over Lennox in order to remain vertical at the end of the sixth? Regarding being knocked silly, I believe Vitali was almost decapitated at one point and also had a little cut around his eye?

Vitali's loss to Lewis is so-far the highlight of his career. Add wins over Sanders and Williams and you've possibly got the weakest "legacy" in the history of the division.

[Bryght]

Regarding fear, Lewis kept coming forward, even in round six. Fear doesn't usually make you march forward like Lennox was doing. Regarding being exhausted let's be fair, both guys looked like ****. If Lennox was exhausted, then what do you say to Vitali hangin' all over Lennox in order to remain vertical at the end of the sixth? Regarding being knocked silly, I believe Vitali was almost decapitated at one point and also had a little cut around his eye?

Well, I actually watched the fight. I don't know what you were watching, but you go ahead and believe whatever you like if it helps you feel better about yourself. The bottom line hasn't changed...Lummox Lewis retired to avoid Vitali and that's a fact. Lewis has ducked so many times you'd swear someone was shooting at him.

Enough said. End of discussion.

[marvdave]

Bryght,

we missed your bitterness. Where have you been? Your hatred of Lewis obviously clouds your judgement of him. You say you watched the fight, and I'm sure you did but your bias shines through. I assume your an independant writer because nobody will hire you?

Having said that, I agree VK should fight Byrd to decide who should stake claim on the title.

[Moon]

Bryght - I just got a copy of that fight a few weeks back. I've watched many times and really couldn't have cared less who beat who, except that I wanted a decisive win. It didn't happen. By the way, why do you start a Thread if you can't take the heat? Is "believe whatever you like if it helps you feel better about yourself" supposed be taken seriously?

Also, when you say "Enough said. End of discussion." are you supposed to be serious with that **** too? You can start a Thread, but then it's not your baby after that. However, one way to really end the Thread is to stop defending what you started. As you have.

Fact is, Vitali couldn't take-out the version of Lennox he had in front of him ... a less-than-conditioned, uninspired, past Prime Lewis. Lewis' throwing rate was low, as usual, in this fight. Vitali was very very busy. Vitali owned Lewis in the 2nd Round, and then stayed busier than lewis after that. I had Vitali up 5 rounds to 1 at the stoppage.

But, to say that Lewis "feared" Vitali is just simple-minded. Also, how about you watch the tape my friend (right now) and you'll see Lewis moving forward for most of the fight while Vitali does a pretty good job moving back, setting and poppin' Lewis, but without a dominating effect except in the 2nd.

Lewis faired not much better than Vitali in this fight. It was a plain ****ty swan song. But, Lewis was owning Vitali in the 6th, without having to blow-his-load doing it. Vitali did not respond well to those last big shots and his legs were not present in the last 15 seconds.

I predicted Lewis would maintain his very slow uninspired production in the next rounds, while continuing to get popped by Vitali's ineffective ****. Remember that Vitali was ****ing on Lennox Lewis' chin all night and Lewis was moving in and taking more leather. Lewis didn't give a **** if he got hit, 'cause it didn't do the damage you'd expect from a big guy. Simply, Vitali was not gonna' keep that pace going and was gonna' take just one too many power shots, in a later round, and be too tired to lift himself off the canvas.

By the way. Lewis won on a TKO stoppage. I saw that when I watched the fight. After wathcing it six or seven times, that result didn't change.

[Moon]

As I said.

This Thread is Dead.

[Floydmayweather]

Lennox did not take Vitali seriosly but he did take a good beating before opening cuts on Vitali. I think he did retire to avoid fighting Vitali again but not because he couldnt beat him. (i think he could take Vitali apart if he was 100 focused) but because he realized he had to train hard again to beat him. So he said **** it i will retire and live the good life.

[paulmmv]

well i think vitali is the best champ we have had sense holyfield

[Moon]

well i think vitali is the best champ we have had sense Holyfield

You do know that Lennox beat Holyfield? Since that fight Lennox was the Undisputed Champ, who defended by exposing Grant, decisioning Tua, walking through Botha, avenging Rahman, owning Tyson and TKO'ing Vitali.

So far, your Best Champ has held the WBO Belt (now that's an impressive strap!). He's beat a fat old tired boxer-golfer Corrie Sanders, a fat unconditioned mentally-weak Kirk Johnson, and then he was TKO'd by a fat disinterested Lewis.

Vitali might prove to be the Best Champ Since Holyfield, but he is far from that right now. Maybe by securing a few of the other Champs belts, and then solidly defending them, you might then be able to lay that claim.

[sanjayint]

WELL SED, vk aint no champ,