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In an era in which boxing’s glamour division is as captivating as doing one’s taxes, the public demand for an undisputed ruler of the division is at an all time high. It almost seems that the days of Lennox Lewis reducing ambitious men to horizontal paper weights are from a bygone period. The people need a champion and perhaps the answer lies not in one sole savior, but possibly in two individuals.
A couple of Saturdays ago, the world watched as IBF Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko literally separated mandatory challenger Ray Austin from his senses with one hand. Austin’s shellacking goes down as one the more dominating performances in a heavyweight title fight and just another in a long line of impressive victories for the brothers Klitschko.
The story of the Klitschkos, Vitali and younger Wladimir, is one born out of the inherit drive to achieve superiority that was ingrained into the minds of those who lived under the oppressive thumb that was the Communist Eastern Bloc. It should be of little doubt to even the most cynical critic that the sons of a Soviet Air Force Colonel would excel in the Communist system of specialized sport institutions.
The rigorous physical and mental demands that the Soviet amateur system demanded of its participants is the foundation of the ring success the brothers have achieved. “They are the new generation of boxing,” renowned trainer Emanuel Steward was quoted after witnessing one of their workouts. “Nobody works as hard as Vitali and Wladimir and nobody wants to win as badly as they do”.
The results speak for themselves, Vitali’s first 24 bouts ended in stoppage victories. Wladimir was no less impressive going undefeated in his first 20 bouts and relieving all but three men of their control over gravity during that stretch.
From the onset of their introduction into the lexicon of American fight fans, the Klitschko brothers have always stated their ultimate goal of simultaneously holding the heavyweight championships of the world. The feat would mark a historic first in the sport’s long and storied career as no brothers have ever held the sport’s most sacred prize at the same time.
It is a noble thought and one that would bring nothing but much needed attention to a sport that is fighting to makes its way back into the mainstream stage of professional athletics. The dream almost died when Vitali announced his retirement back in 2005, due to nagging injuries, along with his desire to run for mayor of Kiev. Fortunately, the dream is back as Vitali announced his intention to return to the world of prize fighting last month, although it still remains to be seen if he can endure a training camp without injury.
And so the question remains; exactly how feasible is the Klitschko’s goal of heavyweight domination? The answer may be closer than we think.
As it stands currently, Wladimir is the regaining IBF Heavyweight Champion. More impressive is the way in which he snatched the title out of the hands of long time owner Chris Byrd in devastating fashion.
Prior to his retirement, Vitali held the WBC title and was set to defend it against Hasim Rahman before the series of injuries coupled with his political desires drew him away from the ring. The WBC title currently rests with fellow Eastern European Oleg Maskaev, although for how long seems to be the real question at hand.
As previously stated, Vitali has announced his desire to make a comeback and that he wants to make his first bout a title fight with Maskaev. Bestowed with the eyebrow raising moniker, “Champion Emeritus”, by the WBC, the organization allows Vitali to demand a fight for his old title upon his return.
This does not bode well with WBC mandatory Samuel Peter, who twice had to best James Toney along with paying the WBC sanctioning fees in both bouts. Maskaev has stated his desire to take the more lucrative route and battle Vitali but the Peter camp is threatening litigation if the WBC chose to allow this to happen.
Yet I digress, the real story at hand is how tangible is the desire of the Klitschko brothers to rule the sport? In today’s tepid waters that are the heavyweight division, the answer is a resounding yes.
Wladimir has clearly emerged as the premier fighter in the division, having shed the perception that that surfaced after his losses to Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster that he lacked the prerequisite heart and chin to rein supreme.
Vitali possesses the same awe inspiring arsenal that brings acclaim to his brother and the wrap on the older Klitschko is that he fights with more heart. Debatable yes, but the simple fact is the Klitschko’s, and yes I am including Vitali based on his prior track record, are the premier heavyweights in this era. Equally as important and yet considerably harder to obtain is the ability to mesmerize the casual observer and bring them into the fraternal order of hardcore fight fans.
Again, the brothers Klitschko stand head and shoulders above the others in the division. The fan friendly offensive style, the humble articulate demeanor, the fact that both bothers have a PhD and yet still chose to ply their craft in the hardest sport on the planet are all marketable traits that can go a long way in catapulting the fighters into a status reserved for those deemed “superstars”.
The fact that Wladimir donated over $250,000 from his title defense against Calvin Brock to UNESCO so that children in Namibia could receive proper education speaks volumes to the generosity the brothers exhibit. The best part is that their kindness does not appear contrived but to be the genuine article. In a sport filled to the brim with its share of less than reputable individuals, such benevolence is a breath of fresh air.
In the end, both Vitali and Wladimir may never reach that exclusive “all-time greatest status” but no one can dismiss their place as the benchmark of the division right now. At a time where we long for some clarity in boxing’s glamour division we may just have found reason to cheer in two brothers from the former Soviet Union.
The Klitschko brothers have a dream of division domination, and heavyweights? You are on notice.
