Larry Holmes: Klitschko has no jab, no heart & would be beaten by Wilder or Stiverne

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Its really unusual how Wlad completely polarises people's opinions about his capability as a fighter.

I wonder if it's because he actually fights like an amateur boxer, controlling distance and pace, probing with his jab, shutting down the action when it moves inside etc.

He has got away with a few technical flaws because he is the outstanding physical specimen of his generation, and has succeeded in melding that style (and he had pretty much mastered it as an amateur already) and bringing his physical advantages to bear.

He has never brought the sport into disrepute, is a great ambassador for the game, never ever turns up unfit, hasn't dodged anyone in over ten years - apart from his brother -he is articulate, intelligent and (dare I say it) White ..... He should be the biggest and most popular champion in history.

I think people like their world champions to have a scent of destruction about them, to get hit, to go down and get up, to 'prove' themselves in a few wars. Wlad has done it all on his own terms, no Don King, only really fights in Europe etc. His problem is the lack of drama in most of his fights, and this is the entertainment business after all. Mayweather has the same issue, but he bigs up the drama outside the ring instead!

Mark my words, 5 years after he retires, people on this board will have him right up there with the ATGs.