Wlad Klit Retires

The whole of the boxing world should be celebrating

thank fuck that is over, the worst spell of all time in the HW division

probably the worst spell in any division in history

a whole weight class controlled by money for 10 years or so, the champion allowed to fight as he pleases as long as he keeps winning and keeps the money coming in, a real black spot in boxing history

lets hope and prey that that never happens again and from now on the HWs can have exciting champions and title fights that are worth watching

So Wlad has not accepted the rematch against AJ?

He probably would have lost but he was close. I think he has enough to beat Wilder but if his heart is not in it then there is no point carrying on.

depends where the fight was held against wilder

he could have held his way to a win in Germany or somewhere in the east

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/40811881

So we have to have Joshua Pulev now? Awesome.

I'd rather see AJ take on other challengers, don't even mind Pulev, so glad the rematch isn't happening, and Wlad can go out having been in an epic. I forgive him for being a boring bastard and benefiting from having a big brother to thin the crowd for him.

It was a classic to bow out in. If AJ goes on to achieve a lot it may even help with Wlad's legacy somewhat. He used what he had to the best of his ability and it is very easy to be cynical but while he may not be amongst the best heavies in any mythical all time list, he certainly was nowhere near as poor as many would like to paint him out to be. True Gent outside of the ring and best of luck to him, in whatever he choose to do now.

Outside the ring he was a very good role model.

I'm with Beanz and Fenster on this. He deserves a lot more respect than Eric is giving him.
And yes, I know he holds a bit and the Povetkin fight was a disgrace. But when you weigh it all up, he should be respected, fair play to him.
One thing that sums up modern day boxing though, why has the world champion and his team got to chase a guy they have already beat for a rematch? They've virtually begged Wlad for a rematch and it's a fucking joke! Either Wlad should be chasing them if he so desires, or they move on to try to wipe out the rest of the division.

Wlad had a rematch clause so they had to pressure him into making the fight so Joshua doesn't get stuck doing nothing. Remember Wlad can come back whenever he wants but AJ/Eddie have dates, mandatories and most importantly pockets to fill.

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Originally Posted by Beanz

It was a classic to bow out in. If AJ goes on to achieve a lot it may even help with Wlad's legacy somewhat. He used what he had to the best of his ability and it is very easy to be cynical but while he may not be amongst the best heavies in any mythical all time list, he certainly was nowhere near as poor as many would like to paint him out to be. True Gent outside of the ring and best of luck to him, in whatever he choose to do now.

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Very well said. 100%. Both Klitschkos I used to loathe, but I grew to like and respect them as men. Very classy and dignified. Wlad had a great last fight if this is it. Only thing that bothers me about the brothers is them not financially supporting Maghomed Abdusalaev through his tragic injury. I may be mistaken but I feel they could have done much more as he fought under K2 promotions.

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Originally Posted by Primo Carnera

I'm with Beanz and Fenster on this. He deserves a lot more respect than Eric is giving him.
And yes, I know he holds a bit and the Povetkin fight was a disgrace. But when you weigh it all up, he should be respected, fair play to him.
One thing that sums up modern day boxing though, why has the world champion and his team got to chase a guy they have already beat for a rematch? They've virtually begged Wlad for a rematch and it's a fucking joke! Either Wlad should be chasing them if he so desires, or they move on to try to wipe out the rest of the division.

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he cheated mate

in the vast majority of his fights as a champion

the Provetkin fight was horrendous and the worst but the cheating in the other fights should not be forgotten

yes he seemed like a nice fella outside the ring :)

Not a fan of his jab and clinch style, but did have some fun earlier fights. Glad he has retired, he will only decline at his age.

Whilst the AJ v Klit rematch would have been another interesting fight i would much prefer to see AJ try and clear out the rest of the division.

I've been saying for a long time I didn't expect this fight to come off. Like anyone I enjoy being right.

Wlad has been a great sportsman. Maybe not an exciting champion but he wasn't going to get caught with a transvestite prostitute. Now hopefully AJ will start fighting the top guys. There are a couple intriguing matchups.

Not really surprised by this. Fair play to him. Nothing more to prove. The hunger no longer there so why bother.

A new era can properly begin now. Wlad and dare I say it Fury both bow out.

David Haye will worm his way back in ffs. It will happen

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Originally Posted by Mark TKO

Not really surprised by this. Fair play to him. Nothing more to prove. The hunger no longer there so why bother.

A new era can properly begin now. Wlad and dare I say it Fury both bow out.

David Haye will worm his way back in ffs. It will happen

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I read Hughie is being lined up to fight Haye if he wins the WBO title.

I'll say something nice about Wlad since he is retiring. He was a respectable guy outside the ring and he definitely learned from early mistakes in his career and improved himself so respect for that.

I'm so glad he isn't fighting AJ again. Great first fight but a second fight wasn't necessary.

He waited till the last fight of his career before being in an exciting fight. He was never going to fight Joshua again, he could never have faced taking another beating.

He'll always be remembered by boxing fans for his greatest moment though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqEANlBbhsA

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Originally Posted by Kirkland Laing

He waited till the last fight of his career before being in an exciting fight. He was never going to fight Joshua again, he could never have faced taking another beating.

He'll always be remembered by boxing fans for his greatest moment though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqEANlBbhsA

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Typical classless post from you Kirkland but no matter how much you and any other hater bitches about Wlad you're not going to erase him from the sport where he was one of the best of All-Time, the numbers do not lie.

A giant of his era and the undoubted dominant heavyweight of his generation. An Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist and the recognised professional heavyweight champion of the world for over a decade. Those achievements alone qualify his to get into the first or second tier of World Heavyweight Champions.

A auperb athlete, 6'6" tall, very well built and an utter professional in his preparation... you never saw Wladimir out of shape between fights, he never undertrained for an opponent and he carried himself with class and dignity throughout his career both inside and outside the ropes. He never demeaned or damaged the reputation of the Heavyweight Champion through any bad behaviour, scandal or newspaper headline. Very very well schooled as an amateur and he successfully carried that style into the pros.

Yes, I felt he could be hurt, and he could gas out quite badly early in his career, but he was intelligent enough to work that out and to develop a style that hugely played to his physical strengths and negates his opponents effectiveness - and he copped a lot of criticism for that which I suspect will slightly tarnish his legacy.

I always thought Vitali was a better fighter, but Wlad achieved more, for longer and it's that longevity that marks him out as something a bit special.

So long, Champ, all the best for the future and thanks for the memories. :appl:

I feel it's the right call. He went out on his shield against a young gun and has nothing left to prove.

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Originally Posted by Fenster

I'd rather see AJ take on other challengers, don't even mind Pulev, so glad the rematch isn't happening, and Wlad can go out having been in an epic. I forgive him for being a boring bastard and benefiting from having a big brother to thin the crowd for him.

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Wow.... I actually f-ing agree with this.

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Originally Posted by TitoFan

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Originally Posted by Fenster

I'd rather see AJ take on other challengers, don't even mind Pulev, so glad the rematch isn't happening, and Wlad can go out having been in an epic. I forgive him for being a boring bastard and benefiting from having a big brother to thin the crowd for him.

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Wow.... I actually f-ing agree with this.

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Me too. Relieved they are not fighting again, as it likely would not have matched or surpassed the original. Also, I feel it was a high risk/low reward fight for Joshua. Wlad almost had him outta there in the 1st fight. The only fight.

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Originally Posted by Gandalf

Not a fan of his jab and clinch style, but did have some fun earlier fights. Glad he has retired, he will only decline at his age.

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Really, I thought he had a hell of a jab. One of the better jabs around.!i didn't like him and his holding and pushing down but I to give him credit for his reign. I give him credit for his women as well. Take care klit good job but glad your down. It was great watching him throw fifty punches a fight. Punch grab punch grab. I stopped watching him after the pov fight, that one made me ill. I couldn't beleive what I was seeing and that ref had to be his best friend

In all fairness why grapple with a bloke who wants to punch you in the face when you have Hayden Panettiere waiting at home for you.

I'd wear her like a finger puppet.

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Originally Posted by X

A giant of his era and the undoubted dominant heavyweight of his generation. An Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist and the recognised professional heavyweight champion of the world for over a decade. Those achievements alone qualify his to get into the first or second tier of World Heavyweight Champions.

A auperb athlete, 6'6" tall, very well built and an utter professional in his preparation... you never saw Wladimir out of shape between fights, he never undertrained for an opponent and he carried himself with class and dignity throughout his career both inside and outside the ropes. He never demeaned or damaged the reputation of the Heavyweight Champion through any bad behaviour, scandal or newspaper headline. Very very well schooled as an amateur and he successfully carried that style into the pros.

Yes, I felt he could be hurt, and he could gas out quite badly early in his career, but he was intelligent enough to work that out and to develop a style that hugely played to his physical strengths and negates his opponents effectiveness - and he copped a lot of criticism for that which I suspect will slightly tarnish his legacy.

I always thought Vitali was a better fighter, but Wlad achieved more, for longer and it's that longevity that marks him out as something a bit special.

So long, Champ, all the best for the future and thanks for the memories. :appl:

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did you watch the same fights as me? not sure how anyone can clap at any of them

are you not a bit gutted that for 10 years of your adult life that was the HW division?

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Originally Posted by erics44

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Originally Posted by X

A giant of his era and the undoubted dominant heavyweight of his generation. An Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist and the recognised professional heavyweight champion of the world for over a decade. Those achievements alone qualify his to get into the first or second tier of World Heavyweight Champions.

A auperb athlete, 6'6" tall, very well built and an utter professional in his preparation... you never saw Wladimir out of shape between fights, he never undertrained for an opponent and he carried himself with class and dignity throughout his career both inside and outside the ropes. He never demeaned or damaged the reputation of the Heavyweight Champion through any bad behaviour, scandal or newspaper headline. Very very well schooled as an amateur and he successfully carried that style into the pros.

Yes, I felt he could be hurt, and he could gas out quite badly early in his career, but he was intelligent enough to work that out and to develop a style that hugely played to his physical strengths and negates his opponents effectiveness - and he copped a lot of criticism for that which I suspect will slightly tarnish his legacy.

I always thought Vitali was a better fighter, but Wlad achieved more, for longer and it's that longevity that marks him out as something a bit special.

So long, Champ, all the best for the future and thanks for the memories. :appl:

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did you watch the same fights as me? not sure how anyone can clap at any of them

are you not a bit gutted that for 10 years of your adult life that was the HW division?

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He wasn't praising him for being in exciting bloodbaths, he was praising him for his utterly professional approach in and out of the ring and for ironing out the flaws that we saw early on in his career, whether you disagree with his style (or as you like to put it his blatant cheating) the point is that he saw his own flaws and acted on sorting them out.

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Originally Posted by Batman

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Originally Posted by erics44

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Originally Posted by X

A giant of his era and the undoubted dominant heavyweight of his generation. An Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist and the recognised professional heavyweight champion of the world for over a decade. Those achievements alone qualify his to get into the first or second tier of World Heavyweight Champions.

A auperb athlete, 6'6" tall, very well built and an utter professional in his preparation... you never saw Wladimir out of shape between fights, he never undertrained for an opponent and he carried himself with class and dignity throughout his career both inside and outside the ropes. He never demeaned or damaged the reputation of the Heavyweight Champion through any bad behaviour, scandal or newspaper headline. Very very well schooled as an amateur and he successfully carried that style into the pros.

Yes, I felt he could be hurt, and he could gas out quite badly early in his career, but he was intelligent enough to work that out and to develop a style that hugely played to his physical strengths and negates his opponents effectiveness - and he copped a lot of criticism for that which I suspect will slightly tarnish his legacy.

I always thought Vitali was a better fighter, but Wlad achieved more, for longer and it's that longevity that marks him out as something a bit special.

So long, Champ, all the best for the future and thanks for the memories. :appl:

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did you watch the same fights as me? not sure how anyone can clap at any of them

are you not a bit gutted that for 10 years of your adult life that was the HW division?

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He wasn't praising him for being in exciting bloodbaths, he was praising him for his utterly professional approach in and out of the ring and for ironing out the flaws that we saw early on in his career, whether you disagree with his style (or as you like to put it his blatant cheating) the point is that he saw his own flaws and acted on sorting them out.

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that's one way of looking at it

another is that he generated so much money that the rules were adapted so that he would have every chance of winning considering his flaws

if he didn't generate the amount of money he did or if he had fought several of his fights outside of his adopted homeland he would have lost his title long ago

and people go on about what a gentleman/professional he is/was

who gives a fuck? I enjoy watching boxing not someone talk articulately and hearing how he is faithful to his wife

eric44 you get excited about the activity outside the ring, stop pretending you do not. That is why you like Bellew v Haye or Eubank Junior.

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Originally Posted by Master

eric44 you get excited about the activity outside the ring, stop pretending you do not. That is why you like Bellew v Haye or Eubank Junior.

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honestly mate I really don't, the fighters I generally like most (geography ignored) are those that offer most in the ring in terms of excitement

I don't watch press conferences and watch very few interviews and that sort of thing, I really do just watch fights

but if I did get into build ups then that would only turn me off wlad even more

its pretty dull listening to him speak and his values and professionalism adds nothing to his fights

A great champion in a soft era. Era probably softer than that of the Larry Holmes era. I would say Lennox's second half was a much more competitive time than both Wlad and Holmes.

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Originally Posted by erics44

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Originally Posted by Master

eric44 you get excited about the activity outside the ring, stop pretending you do not. That is why you like Bellew v Haye or Eubank Junior.

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honestly mate I really don't, the fighters I generally like most (geography ignored) are those that offer most in the ring in terms of excitement

I don't watch press conferences and watch very few interviews and that sort of thing, I really do just watch fights

but if I did get into build ups then that would only turn me off wlad even more

its pretty dull listening to him speak and his values and professionalism adds nothing to his fights

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Which is why you get more turned on by Haye v Bellew fighting.

Congratulations to klitschko. He has had a great career and finishes with a great record. Abit disappointed in his retirement speech saying he was passing the torch to Joshua. He didn't have anything to pass because he was schooled the fight before by fury. I think he didn't want give Tyson any credit for that win

alot of people will remember him as boring but the stats speak for itself and he will be remembered for his longevity. I think klitschkos best fight was probably his final battle vs Joshua. It's a great way to bow out

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Originally Posted by GAME

Congratulations to klitschko. He has had a great career and finishes with a great record. Abit disappointed in his retirement speech saying he was passing the torch to Joshua. He didn't have anything to pass because he was schooled the fight before by fury. I think he didn't want give Tyson any credit for that win

alot of people will remember him as boring but the stats speak for itself and he will be remembered for his longevity. I think klitschkos best fight was probably his final battle vs Joshua. It's a great way to bow out

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Wlad's finish against Pulev was the most impressive.

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Originally Posted by Master

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Originally Posted by GAME

Congratulations to klitschko. He has had a great career and finishes with a great record. Abit disappointed in his retirement speech saying he was passing the torch to Joshua. He didn't have anything to pass because he was schooled the fight before by fury. I think he didn't want give Tyson any credit for that win

alot of people will remember him as boring but the stats speak for itself and he will be remembered for his longevity. I think klitschkos best fight was probably his final battle vs Joshua. It's a great way to bow out

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Wlad's finish against Pulev was the most impressive.

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Id put that down as his most dramatic Ko win. Calvin brock a close 2nd.i was ringside when Wvlad knocked out monte barrett. You could hear that punch echo around the London arena.

The 1st Sam peter fight was significant for Wvlad because he had to overcome his demons from the Ross purity, sanders and Brewster losses.
i also want to thank Wvlad for shutting David Haye up and shaming him in Germany proving who the real champ was