Wlad Klit Retires

[erics44]

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.

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?

[Batman]

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.

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?

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.

[erics44]

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.

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?

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.

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

[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.

[erics44]

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.

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

[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.

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

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

[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