Wladimir Klitschko appreciation thread

[Hagler★]

Hats off
People have always questioned Wlad, it's crazy that in defeat that all the questions must end. An ATG and top 10 HW and just as importantly a good man

[Porter's Dad]

I've been very hard on Wlad over the years, but he deserves nothing but respect for this fight. He went to war with the younger man and gave us an amazing fight.

To be fair, he gave us many turgid fights. I still have nightmares about the Sultan and Povetkin fights.

But last night was his greatest performance. He sealed his legacy. I didn't know he could do that at 41 and after a long lay off.

[Willy Wanker]

Wladimir Klitschko is a true legend. I'm sad typing this knowing that his career is pretty much over. Sure, his HW division wasn't as competitive or as glamorous as the previous eras, but Wlad (credit to Vitali too) did a great job carrying the division and representing it as their champion.

He overcame adversity with some bad losses early in his career and bounced back after his loss to Brewster and dominated for a decade. He also had to deal with a lot of criticism and had big shoes to fill after Lewis retired and Holyfield being way past it.

Wlad is a top 10 ATG Heavyweight champ in my opinion. Went out like a true warrior against a big young hungry lion against Joshua. This lost actually enhances Wlad's legacy.

[iamboxing]

As AJ said a role model in and out of the ring. One of the greatest.

[Shane1091]

Legend to do what he did to a young powerful champ was incredible.

[Skip Bayless]

you could probably count on 1 hand the amount of heavyweight champs from yesteryear who at age 41 could go more than 5 rounds with AJ. though he lost the fight he cemented his legacy & participated in a fight for the ages.

side note, red hot chilli peppers will forever be associated with wlad

[The Hammer]

The Klitschko Brothers on the Foundation

http://klitschkofoundation.org/en/about/

[Szef]

In the past, I honestly never felt anything on a personal level when one of my favourites lost, but today I'm really sad, it's weird.

Great champion inside and outside the ring, he will be missed.

[jaded]

I've only seen a few heavyweights fight at championship level in their 40s.

George Foreman
Vitali Klitschko
Wladimir Klitschko

So many people doubted Wlad, but he hurt AJ badly and forced him into a brutal fight. Faced with the possibility of losing on the cards, AJ had no choice but to shift to a high-risk offensive style in the final rounds.

AJ prevailed, but Wladimir exposed his weaknesses. Even in defeat he's proven that age can't stop us from pursuing our dreams.

Good post...well said.

[The Hammer]

Wladimir Klitschko is a true legend. I'm sad typing this knowing that his career is pretty much over. Sure, his HW division wasn't as competitive or as glamorous as the previous eras, but Wlad (credit to Vitali too) did a great job carrying the division and representing it as their champion.

He overcame adversity with some bad losses early in his career and bounced back after his loss to Brewster and dominated for a decade. He also had to deal with a lot of criticism and had big shoes to fill after Lewis retired and Holyfield being way past it.

Wlad is a top 10 ATG Heavyweight champ in my opinion. Went out like a true warrior against a big young hungry lion against Joshua. This loss actually enhances Wlad's legacy.

Well said.