Quote Originally Posted by Fenster View Post
To compare Louis with Wlad is utterly ridiculous.

Louis exisited in an era of ONE champion. He was the 100% indisputable champion of the world.

Wlad has existed in an era of FOUR possible champions. Never at any point in Wlad's career has he simultaneously held all four titles. He never beat the lineal champion. The closest he's ever got to being a "legit" champion was when he beat Chagaev. The Ring magazine recognised that fight, between the no.1 and no.3, as the crowning of a NEW champion.

So Wlad has made FIVE successful defenses of the heavyweight title. That's it (although, of course, you have to completely ignore the fact that his strongest rival has been present throughout this time).

This is not a slight on Wlad. He's just very unlucky that his brother, who established himself as a top dog, was around at the same time.
#1 Its the same record albeit under different circumstances, so if it makes you feel any better put an asterisk beside it. It's no different than Babe Ruth hitting 60 homeruns in 160 games and Maris hitting 61 in 162 games. Its an impressive feat whatever you think about Joe Louis' record. I personally rate Joe Louis as the A#1 Greatest Heavyweight Champion of All-Time (because it's factually correct and because he was an amazing fighter).

#2 ENOUGH about Vitali why even bring it up? They were never going to fight....EVER so it's an erroneous point to continue harping on. They may as well be in different weight classes like the Marquez brothers.

#3 Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko have 2 seperate but impressive legacies and they are all-time great heavyweights. You could write a damn novel of top fighters in boxing that never fought each other....Floyd & Pac anyone Are their careers harmed by that fight not happening? IMO the longer we go without seeing it the less it affects my opinion of them.