Comments Thread For: Banks: Klitschko Will Be Appreciated When He's Gone

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO’s trainer reckons the boxer will be hailed as a legend when he quits.

Johnathon Banks does not know why WBO, IBF and WBA heavyweight champion Klitschko is not already known as a heavyweight great and pound-for-pound king.

Klitschko, 39, has not lost for 11 years and defends his titles for the 19th consecutive time against Tyson Fury on Saturday here.
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[PowerFlow]

It's not that he's not appreciated (I appreciate him), it's just that this HW era is the weakest in history. If Wlad would have been this dominant in, let's say, the 90s, it would be a different story. I personally don't think he would have been, but who knows. Either way he's a helluva fighter and a very classy champion.

[Paul Bunyan]

Boxing has changed quite a bit since the 90's regarding how fights are made, but I have a different opinion regarding people who say this era is weak. I grew up idolizing Mike Tyson, in hindsight I now look back and can't help but think his career is highly overrated. He didn't fight anyone with a pulse coming up, and when he did, he got his ass kicked. Lennox Lewis never fought anyone special outside an out of prime Holyfield and Tyson. When fighters dominate the competition the way Louis, Ali, Wlad etc etc, it makes the era look weak. One could argue that Ali (who was floored by a scrub) was overrated for having such a difficult time with Foreman, Frazier and others. While you and I know that to be untrue, people do in fact believe it. That said, I also enjoy watching Wladamir box, and think he is a hall of fame lock.

[Larry the boss]

Yes he will...old school record

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The '90s would have still been a three horse race between Vitali/Lewis/Wlad.

Mental cases like Golota and Bowe "added depth" but could never maintain enough composure to reign as a uniified champion. Same with all the cruiserweights, and Tyson, they would slip a few upsets but never be able to reign.

It had a lot more "cast extras" but they were all a level below Lewis.

[PhillyBox11]

People will appreciate Jonathan Banks when he retires. I mean that, they will be happy when he retires.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Just about any era can be called weak for one reason or another. The fact is though, that when you have one man dominate that era in his division, he is special. Let's not forget that Joe Louis had the "Bum of the Month" club- doesn't exactly sound like a tough era. However, who knows? Had Louis not been there, those other heavyweights would have probably fared much better and the title would have been passed around plenty in eleven years.

Wlad has dominated the division since 2006. He hasn't lost in 11 years. He's nearly unified the title and he's won the WBA title about three times. If he gets Wilder in the ring, he will be the undisputed champion once and for all. 18 defenses is nothing to sneeze at no matter what era he fights in. And Banks is right. Most of us are nostalgic and only appreciate fighters once they are gone.

As far as the '90s, well, Tyson was great in the '80s, in the '90s, not so much. So much of his killer instinct was gone along with his head movement. Holyfield beat some solid opponents but let's face it. His reigns are laughable next to Wlad's. Beating Holmes and Foreman doesn't make you a great champion. Rid**** Bowe couldn't throw a straight right hand and given that Wlad is even bigger than Bowe, he makes Bowe's immobility look flat out pathetic. I have no doubt Wlad would have beaten him. Bowe also ducked Lewis for years. Lewis did well against Holyfield (although not great) and a faded Tyson and the other guys he kicked around well, except for McCall and Rahman of course. He gave Vitali the shot with short notice and wouldn't give him a rematch which would have proven plenty IMO. David Tua hit like a tank but was very limited. Moorer had decent power at heavyweight but he wasn't much either, going down to the oldest champion of all time along with having one of the shortest reigns ever. Golota could have been a lot better if he didn't have a thug, cheater mentality he couldn't control. Morrison had some good moments and a killer left hook, but he often let his partying get him distracted. I mean, yes, there was some talent, but it wasn't anything great. They were just out there a lot more because the majority were Americans. Now that most of the faces aren't American and HBO refusing to showcase the Klitschkos, the division has lost popularity, but that doesn't mean it's flat out terrible.

Klitschko soundly beat Chris Byrd twice who had some solid wins. He dispatched of Calvin Brock who was unbeaten and looked promising at the time. He beat Sultan Ibrogimov who looked like a solid fighter to me. I don't know why he retired after one loss. He beat Thompson twice who I definitely wouldn't call a bum by any means. He can be tricky and difficult for most heavyweights. He got his revenge on Brewster, dominating him. Wlad rarely even loses a round his whole reign. My question is "What does a guy HAVE to do in order to get respect?" A nine-year reign alone is a great enough accomplishment. Hopkins and Calzaghe sure got plenty of respect. Wlad deserves the same.

[Mr.Daddy]

Boxing has changed quite a bit since the 90's regarding how fights are made, but I have a different opinion regarding people who say this era is weak. I grew up idolizing Mike Tyson, in hindsight I now look back and can't help but think his career is highly overrated. He didn't fight anyone with a pulse coming up, and when he did, he got his ass kicked. Lennox Lewis never fought anyone special outside an out of prime Holyfield and Tyson. When fighters dominate the competition the way Louis, Ali, Wlad etc etc, it makes the era look weak. One could argue that Ali (who was floored by a scrub) was overrated for having such a difficult time with Foreman, Frazier and others. While you and I know that to be untrue, people do in fact believe it. That said, I also enjoy watching Wladamir box, and think he is a hall of fame lock.

One could argue that Ali (who was floored by a scrub) was overrated for having such a difficult time with Ken Norton. If you were not aware of this, watch videos of their three fights.

[PowerFlow]

People will appreciate Jonathan Banks when he retires. I mean that, they will be happy when he retires.

Haha, that caught me off guard

[daggum]

yes i believe clinching will really catch on in popularity in the future