Wlad's Legacy

[koolkc107]

When it comes to ranking Wlad in the pantheon of great heavyweights, I see him just outside knocking on the door, rather than actually in the room.

Even Marciano, who is not on my Top 10 all-time heavy list, has better quality names on his resume (albeit mostly old and faded by the time Rocky got to them).

You usually have to beat other great heavy weights to be a great.

And you have to beat several ATGs to be in the convo as best ever or top 5 or however you judge.

So no, Wlad is not TBE or GOAT when it comes to the division.

But, HE IS AN ATG.

He beat almost everyone he fought.

But, to me, more than what he did in the ring is how he carried himself outside of it.

No police calls to Wlad's house.

No sex scandals.

No racist or mysogynist or other hate-speech quotes connected to his name.

All he did was wear the crown with class and dignity for a decade.

It was cool having "the baddest man on the planet" also be one of the most intelligent and cerebrally thoughtful men on the planet as well.

We missed a huge boat for our sport by not promoting this man more forcefully as a representative of what we are about.

I just hope some of the young lions like Joshua and Wilder seek him out for counsel and advice.

And I hope that even should he retire, Wlad stay involved with boxing.

[Thraxox]

Wlad is top 6 for me.
1. Ali
2.Louis
3.Foreman
4.Holyfield
5.Lewis
6.Wladimir Klitchsko
7.Frazier
8.Mike Tyson
9.Liston
10.Marciano

[koolkc107]

Wlad is top 6 for me.
1. Ali
2.Louis
3.Foreman
4.Holyfield
5.Lewis
6.Wladimir Klitchsko
7.Frazier
8.Mike Tyson
9.Liston
10.Marciano

I have Jack Johnson second, Holmes third, and Dempsey 10th on my list.

No Wlad, Lewis, Or Marciano in top 10, but all three in the next 5.

[deathofaclown]

I don't know exactly what number he'll be, that's all fantasy stuff anyway but as i just said in another thread...in future when people talk of heavyweight greats, he will be in the conversation.

He was the best of his time and that's all you can be. The rest is just opinion.

[koolkc107]

I don't know exactly what number he'll be, that's all fantasy stuff anyway but as i just said in another thread...in future when people talk of heavyweight greats, he will be in the conversation.

He was the best of his time and that's all you can be. The rest is just opinion.

Yeah, but in that conversation they will say he never beat another great heavyweight.

And, they will point to the KO losses (in his prime) to journeymen

[deathofaclown]

Yeah, but in that conversation they will say he never beat another great heavyweight.

And, they will point to the KO losses (in his prime) to journeymen

That's true, but his reign will never go away either.

He's definitely the best of his time but definitely not one of the top HW's of all time.

[Rip Chudd]

Yeah, but in that conversation they will say he never beat another great heavyweight.

And, they will point to the KO losses (in his prime) to journeymen

His prime with regards to his age yes but his boxing prime didn't start until he was under the late great Emanuel Steward. Although their first fight together Wlad lost to Brewster

[Robbie Barrett]

Wlad is top 6 for me.
1. Ali
2.Louis
3.Foreman
4.Holyfield
5.Lewis
6.Wladimir Klitchsko
7.Frazier
8.Mike Tyson
9.Liston
10.Marciano

Only someone clueless would have Tyson and Wlad over Johnson, Dempsey, Holmes, Jeffries, Liston.

[bojangles1987]

Wlad's one of the great heavyweights ever, but he'll never be able to escape the fact that most of his reign took place in the weakest era the division's ever seen. That will always hold him back.

Damn good fighter, though. One of the hardest punchers in HW history, has one of the best jabs in HW history, and had a long, dominant reign.

[koolkc107]

That's true, but his reign will never go away either.

He's definitely the best of his time but definitely not one of the top HW's of all time.

Basically my take.

And IMO, THE WAY HE WORE IT FOR SO LONG is just as important.

As I said before, the sport as a whole missed an opportunity by not spotlighting this man more...