Wladimir Klitschko passes Larry Holmes to become the 2nd longest-reigning HW champion

[Britkid]

Holmes only held one title, there was 2 others available to him

He dropped the WBC to fight for the new IBF but even then he still had 3 titles to fight for. He also could have won the WBA but he didnt. Mike made the effort to clean it all up. He could probably gone on another few wins had he picked and chosen easy mandatories like Holmes did rather than clean up the division and leave it with one champion with no arguments.

There was more than two titles available to Holmes, what about the WAA crown?

You say Tyson 'made the effort' to clean up the division, but I see no WBO or WAA crown on his resume. And why was that? Because the titles were pointless to him, as after beating Spinks, most knew he was Champ. Same with Holmes, once Ali was beaten most knew he was Champ, there was no point fighting for more alphabet rubbish.

So this brings us back to how many succcesful defences both made; Holmes made 12; Tyson 2...

But still, that is two more than Wlad!

[ross]

Holmes only held one title, there was 2 others available to him

He dropped the WBC to fight for the new IBF but even then he still had 3 titles to fight for. He also could have won the WBA but he didnt. Mike made the effort to clean it all up. He could probably gone on another few wins had he picked and chosen easy mandatories like Holmes did rather than clean up the division and leave it with one champion with no arguments.

There was more than two titles available to Holmes, what about the WAA crown?

You say Tyson 'made the effort' to clean up the division, but I see no WBO or WAA crown on his resume. And why was that? Because the titles were pointless to him, as after beating Spinks, most knew he was Champ. Same with Holmes, once Ali was beaten most knew he was Champ, there was no point fighting for more alphabet rubbish.

So this brings us back to how many succcesful defences both made; Holmes made 12; Tyson 2...

No, fuck off! Those other titles are worthless compared to the main 3 and you know that. If you are going on singular title defences, Mike successfully defended 3 titles 6 times, so thats 18 defences and fuck you everyone else

[Britkid]

No, fuck off! Those other titles are worthless compared to the main 3 and you know that.

Alphabet crap is alphabet crap to me. Dog crap; cat crap, WBC crap, WAA crap; it might all look a bit different, but it is still stinks like crap.

If you are going on singular title defences, Mike successfully defended 3 titles 6 times, so thats 18 defences and fuck you everyone else

I know, if only Louis, Marciano, Dempsey et al had Senor Suliman, Mendoza and Lee's blessings, they would of been so much more respected!

[ross]

No, fuck off! Those other titles are worthless compared to the main 3 and you know that.

Alphabet crap is alphabet crap to me. Dog crap; cat crap, WBC crap, WAA crap; it might all look a bit different, but it is still stinks like crap.

If you are going on singular title defences, Mike successfully defended 3 titles 6 times, so thats 18 defences and fuck you everyone else

I know, if only Louis, Marciano, Dempsey et al had Senor Suliman, Mendoza and Lee's blessings, they would of been so much more respected!

The problem is now that there are so many sanctioning bodies the only way to be ragarded as the best is to win and defend them all. When you have the 3 main most respected titles and can defend it you have to be reagrded as the most respected and top fighter in that division. How respected can you be when you fight people with 7 or 8 losses just because that one organisation has them in their rankings, when you could be wiping out 3 organisations ranked fighters and the general top 10 in the world...

[Britkid]

The problem is now that there are so many sanctioning bodies the only way to be ragarded as the best is to win and defend them all. When you have the 3 main most respected titles and can defend it you have to be reagrded as the most respected and top fighter in that division. How respected can you be when you fight people with 7 or 8 losses just because that one organisation has them in their rankings, when you could be wiping out 3 organisations ranked fighters and the general top 10 in the world...

You are giving too much credit to the WBA, WBC and IBF. You know, they have shown time and again, they do not deserve your respect or time. Treat them with contempt, and be sceptical of any populist thing they do, as they will screw you otherwise.

You have been around this sport long enough to know this. Whenever alphabet titles are spoken of, always bring out your cynicism.

[ross]

The belts dont mean alot in the grand scheme of things no but when you have the only 3 that matter, to hold on to them you have to fight EVERYONE that means anything in the division.

This is why I believe that Vitali hasnt retired because the brothers realise that if Wlad alone had all the titles there are fighters that Vitali has faced that Wlad may struggle with and he would not keep up the schedule of defences for long.

The one thing that cannot be denied about Mike Tyson is he cleaned the division up and was willing and able to hold on to all the titles until King ruined him as a fighter.

[Rantcatrat]

The belts dont mean alot in the grand scheme of things no but when you have the only 3 that matter, to hold on to them you have to fight EVERYONE that means anything in the division.

This is why I believe that Vitali hasnt retired because the brothers realise that if Wlad alone had all the titles there are fighters that Vitali has faced that Wlad may struggle with and he would not keep up the schedule of defences for long.

The one thing that cannot be denied about Mike Tyson is he cleaned the division up and was willing and able to hold on to all the titles until King ruined him as a fighter.

I think we'll see Vitali retire soon, and then we'll see an undisputed heavyweight champion. What I don't really understand is why that will make Wladimir more impressive if only to add another credential to his already deep CV. Right?

If you look at the active heavyweights, Wladimir should face Povetkin and Pulev (assuming he beats Thompson). I guess I wouldn't be mad at a fight with Solis either, if he could string together some solid wins.

[El Kabong]

The belts dont mean alot in the grand scheme of things no but when you have the only 3 that matter, to hold on to them you have to fight EVERYONE that means anything in the division.

This is why I believe that Vitali hasnt retired because the brothers realise that if Wlad alone had all the titles there are fighters that Vitali has faced that Wlad may struggle with and he would not keep up the schedule of defences for long.

The one thing that cannot be denied about Mike Tyson is he cleaned the division up and was willing and able to hold on to all the titles until King ruined him as a fighter.

"The only 3 that matter"....why only 3? Why not 15 why not just 1? Face it ross Wlad is THE MAN of the division end of story.

Vitali has 1 fight left and he will retire...who that Vitali has recently fought do you think would have been trouble for Wlad?

FOR FUCKS SAKE ENOUGH ABOUT TYSON

[imp]

Just think if they werent brothers.
Who do you think would win?
We all know the answer..