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.
There has never been a stronger HW era in history..
Yesterdays champs would be utterly annihilated by todays bums and nothing like todays champs/contenders ever existed!
Even Klitschko's WORST opponents, like Mormeck ARE better than previous champs like Ali and Louis's signature wins!
Today's era is the most global, highest participation, heftiest, tallest, most athletic, most talented skillfully and by record in boxing history.
This view is totally busted. You've exposed yourself as a fool!
Well it's been over 3 years since Vitali Klitschko has retired and I still don't "appreciate" him. I expect the exact same to happen with Wladimir...
I don't like the fact that both brothers were always safety first. The only time they got a bit aggressive and took risks was when there opposition was well below average.
Have you ever watched Vitali fight? Or for that matter the early half of Wlad's career?
Banks: "Klitschko Will Be Appreciated When He's Gone"
Translation: "I will miss the fat paycheck when Wlad's gone".
How much talent does it take to be that big? None. He was given his size by genes, not talent. His structure and clinching are Wlad's 2 biggest weapons. How many have been big enough for it to even be structurally possible to get to him? Or does size mean nothing in this conversation?
Look at some of the comments on this thread and you'd see nearly all known/reasonably well known HWs in the past 60-70 years dismissed as average. If Wlad was 6' 2" 225 lbs., with the same skill set, he'd probably be top 15 but not champ, or not for long. He has good talent, good reflexes, good jab, all the basics. But a weak chin. We just don't see that liability now because he improved his defense under Manny. He's lucky he has the size, and that he had Manny in his corner for many years. He isn't bad by any means, but take away the gifts at birth, you have an above average HW.
He's kind of like Floyd in that he pushes the limits of the rules and usually fights boring fights. But at least he knocks guys (and not girls) out unlike Floyd.
If he was this dominant in the 90's, most of the guys whom you consider great or very good now in hindsight, wouldn't have been considered good or great if they were made part of Wlad's decade long Heavyweight reign.
Exactly, Wlad's heavyweight resume is much better than the resume of past HW champs (aside from Lennox maybe.
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