“Fighting Words” – Wladimir Klitschko: From Salvageable to Sensational

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Two years after Lamon Brewster put Wladimir Klitschko out onto the scrap heap, finishing the job that Corrie Sanders started in March 2003, Klitschko has finally reemerged, rebuilt and rejuvenated by regaining his stake in the heavyweight title picture.

His new IBF title is still only one of the four major belts, but it is accompanied by a feeling of legitimacy due to his destruction of now-former beltholder Chris Byrd, the longest reigning titlist and consensus number one heavyweight in a division that has recently seen both an upheaval and a downturn.

Although Hasim Rahman holds the WBC belt that belonged to Wladimir’s brother Vitali prior to the older Klitschko’s abrupt retirement, Wladimir now has a claim – along with Rahman – to the top ranking among boxing’s big men, thanks mostly to attrition and quality of opposition. And unless Klitschko is dethroned prior to the long-desired unification tournament, he will stay at the top, the place where experts and observers expected him to be years ago. [details]

[Moon]

Wladimir now has a claim to the top ranking among boxing’s big men, thanks mostly to attrition and quality of opposition. And unless Klitschko is dethroned prior to the long-desired unification tournament, he will stay at the top ....

Three things .......

1. Vlad's poor quality opponents is a fact. Despite this, he's found a way to get himself KO'd by two of them.

2. "Unless Klitchko is dethroned". That's beautiful. His track record has left evrybody very uncertain about his real abilities. Everyone's simply waiting for his next big "Timber ......".

3. The overall tone of this article highlights exactly what the boxing world thinks of the younger Klit. He's got all the promise of a great career, provided the opposition stays mediocre.