At 32 years of age, Wladimir Klitschko has gone through almost every stage a fighter can as a professional. At one time, he was known in almost an Ivan Drago-like manner, a huge European with massive power but robotic movement.

After his loss to Corrie Sanders in 2003 and another at the hands of Lamon Brewster in 2004, both by KO, the label of of over-rated was attached, one that seemed like it could be there forever.

In 2005, Wlad yet again forced a reclassification of his status after beating undefeated Eliseo Castillo and Sam Peter and this time the label was the best heavyweight in the world.

In 2006, after winning another world title from Chris Byrd, knocking out highly regarded Calvin Brock, dismantling Ray Austin with one hand, winning the rematch with Brewster by KO then taking Sultan Ibragimov’s WBO strap in 2008, the doubts were certainly removed on exactly who ruled the roost of heavyweight boxing.

Why is it then after everything he's accomplished and overcome along with two title defenses in 2008 that Wladimir Klitschko is criticized? What more can the man do to leave his detractors behind? It is almost as if onlookers just beg for reasons to minimize his ability.

After establishing his status on top of the division he is now labeled “too cautious”. Of all things he is too cautious? Is there really nothing better to pick at? After all the questions have been asked about Wladimir, such as his ability and fortitude, I have to ask a question of my own. More...

Heavyweight boxing has always been the flagstone of our sport, with the exception of a few weak years here and there throughout the gloved era, yet even during those durations the heavyweight champion was always known as the single most dominant figure in all of sport.

In the 1990ʼs, heavyweight boxing may have been the strongest and talented it ever had been in its history, except for the glorious 1970ʼs.

During the 1990's, we had not only established contenders and former champions, but perhaps some of the most exciting prospects in recent memory. We were flooded with names like Hasim Rahman, Shannon Briggs, Henry Akinwande, Michael Grant, Frans Botha, Frank Bruno, Bruce Seldon, Andrew Golota, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Tommy Morrison, Oliver McCall, Razor Ruddock, David Tua, Fres Oquendo, Chris Byrd, Larry Donald, Lou Savarese and Michael Moorer.

Although not all turned out to be superstars in the end, during that time all were exceptional. The only thing we were missing was a single dominant champion.

Mike Tyson, the most famous man in boxing, was in serious decline. He had lost several big bouts and was not taking the sport seriously, and to make matters worse, he disgraced not only himself but boxing itself by biting Evander Holyfieldʼs ear in their 1997 rematch of a bout in which Tyson lost to Holyfield via TKO.

There had been even a bigger problem during the 1990ʼs as the heavyweight championship had been changing hands far too often. Tommy Morrison, Michael Moorer, Bruce Seldon, Mike Tyson, Oliver McCall, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Shannon Briggs and Frank Bruno had all held one version or another of the heavyweight crown for a short period, but with all of the talent in the most revered division in boxing, there was not one single dominant man to carry the reigns. More...

By Per Ake Persson

British heavyweight Matt Skelton is out of the fight against Sinan Samil Sam for the vacant European title July 4 in Istanbul. Replacing Skelton is Italian veteran Paolo Vidoz. More...