How skilled is Wladimir Klitschko really?

[Beanflicker]

Either these fans are new fans of the sport or they haven't watched the likes of Barrera, Morales, Frankie Randall, Buddy McGirt, Hopkins, JMM, PBF and other technicians from recent times.

OK herein lies your problem. What do you notice about the names you listed? The biggest guy you listed there is Hopkins, who spent nearly his entire career as a MW.

Of course the smaller guys will be more skilled than the HW guys. Muhammad Ali was the greatest HW of all time, but we could sit here and name about 100 guys, all in lower weight classes, who had more technical skill than he did.

People who say the Klitschko's aren't highly talented just don't know boxing. When have you seen a guy 6'7'' who moved so quick, with such great balance, with such cordination, who could work so effectively behind a jab. People want to pick on the Klitschko's, but I gaurentee you if you plucked today's Wlad and stuck him in ANY heavyweight era, he would be a star, if not the #1 guy.

[jokaleras]

Either these fans are new fans of the sport or they haven't watched the likes of Barrera, Morales, Frankie Randall, Buddy McGirt, Hopkins, JMM, PBF and other technicians from recent times.

OK herein lies your problem. What do you notice about the names you listed? The biggest guy you listed there is Hopkins, who spent nearly his entire career as a MW.

Of course the smaller guys will be more skilled than the HW guys. Muhammad Ali was the greatest HW of all time, but we could sit here and name about 100 guys, all in lower weight classes, who had more technical skill than he did.

People who say the Klitschko's aren't highly talented just don't know boxing. When have you seen a guy 6'7'' who moved so quick, with such great balance, with such cordination, who could work so effectively behind a jab. People want to pick on the Klitschko's, but I gaurentee you if you plucked today's Wlad and stuck him in ANY heavyweight era, he would be a star, if not the #1 guy.

that's another point. Athleticism. If I wanna see athletic big men, I'll go watch the NBA where are 7'0 men thousand times more athletic than Wlad who looks incredibly clumsy and awkward when he tries to pull off maneuvers.

As for big men not being skilled? What about Riddick Bowe? Holyfield? Dwight Qawi? Michael Spinks? Eddie Mustafa Muhammad? John Conteh? Matthew Saad Muhammad? Or any of the top LHW's from the 70s/80s. Hell, Andrew Golota was more skilled than Wlad. Though Wlad is the more effective fighter.

You're right. Heavyweights do suck incredibly in comparison to the lower weight classes(especially so now). And Wlad would do pretty well in some eras mainly because of his humongous stature and power. Though he'd get absolutely demolished by a lot of the top guys of the 90's.

frankly, I don't see how can anyone can have Wlad as their favorite fighter. Does anyone really like watching him other than to see an upset?

[El Kabong]

Usually I'd be a bastard and tell you to STFU and go watch Butterbean, but I feel good today and I feel like trying to fix your way of looking at the situation. People might call Holyfield, Tyson, or Lewis all action fighters or "exciting" fighters but in all actuality those guys had their fair share of borefests, yeah even Tyson (James Smith anyone??). Those guys had different little hitches in their games: Lewis would hold or push off, Tyson would allow himself to be tied up or constantly tie up he did it vs everyone (providing they withstood the first couple of punches), Holyfield would smother the other fighter and headbutt....Wlad is just following in the footsteps of past great heavyweights, watch Ali and tell me he didn't hold a ton, watch Larry Holmes and tell me he didn't jab a ton. I think the main difference between Wladimir and all other heavyweights is, he's too nice. He doesn't talk shit, he doesn't try and hype up fights, he let's his fists do the talking and he's the FIRST heavyweight since Gene Tunney to do that and Gene was almost as appreciated in the division as Wlad is. The fans back then didn't like him hell the fans not too long ago hated Lennox Lewis because he was "boring" but once Wladimir and Vitali are gone from the division there will be a big void left and people will start to look more favorably upon them.

When people say Wladimir is technically strong they mean he knows his range, he uses the jab as a way to set up other punches, he uses his physical gifts (height, reach, weight) to his advantage, he doesn't allow himself to get hit and for a heavyweight at any point in time that is special. If you look at past great heavyweights and you know what to look for you'll see similar attributes from the likes of: Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman etc.

To each their own, but I am sure leftylee will be along shortly to tell you to watch David Haye

[leftylee]

Very skilled. Wlad has mastered sending the fans to sleep in under 30 seconds of the 1st round when he fights. Doctors just give insomina sufferers his career set. Job done.

[jokaleras]

blah blah blah

wehhhhhhh

oh god. A Klit nut-swinger out of the woodwork. Should've saved yourself sometime and write STFU.

[leftylee]

oh god. A Klit nut-swinger out of the woodwork. Should've saved yourself sometime and write STFU.

You talking to me or something ?

[skel1983]

oh god. A Klit nut-swinger out of the woodwork. Should've saved yourself sometime and write STFU.

You talking to me or something ?

I think he means Lyle mate, from what you wrote your probably his new best mate!!

[leftylee]

oh god. A Klit nut-swinger out of the woodwork. Should've saved yourself sometime and write STFU.

You talking to me or something ?

I think he means Lyle mate, from what you wrote your probably his new best mate!!

LOL no worries. I just didn't know who it was aimed at. If its aimed at Lyle, Jokaleras is the homie.

[El Kabong]

blah blah blah

wehhhhhhh

oh god. A Klit nut-swinger out of the woodwork. Should've saved yourself sometime and write STFU.

....not a wise choice short timer

[leftylee]

blah blah blah

wehhhhhhh

oh god. A Klit nut-swinger out of the woodwork. Should've saved yourself sometime and write STFU.

....not a wise choice short timer

Lyle is getting biitch slapped by a newbie

[El Kabong]

Lyle is getting biitch slapped by a newbie

Won't take long for him to wear out his welcome....you on the otherhand have learned your lesson.

[Snakefist Ar Fu]

Usually I'd be a bastard and tell you to STFU and go watch Butterbean, but I feel good today and I feel like trying to fix your way of looking at the situation. People might call Holyfield, Tyson, or Lewis all action fighters or "exciting" fighters but in all actuality those guys had their fair share of borefests, yeah even Tyson (James Smith anyone??). Those guys had different little hitches in their games: Lewis would hold or push off, Tyson would allow himself to be tied up or constantly tie up he did it vs everyone (providing they withstood the first couple of punches), Holyfield would smother the other fighter and headbutt....Wlad is just following in the footsteps of past great heavyweights, watch Ali and tell me he didn't hold a ton, watch Larry Holmes and tell me he didn't jab a ton. I think the main difference between Wladimir and all other heavyweights is, he's too nice. He doesn't talk shit, he doesn't try and hype up fights, he let's his fists do the talking and he's the FIRST heavyweight since Gene Tunney to do that and Gene was almost as appreciated in the division as Wlad is. The fans back then didn't like him hell the fans not too long ago hated Lennox Lewis because he was "boring" but once Wladimir and Vitali are gone from the division there will be a big void left and people will start to look more favorably upon them.

When people say Wladimir is technically strong they mean he knows his range, he uses the jab as a way to set up other punches, he uses his physical gifts (height, reach, weight) to his advantage, he doesn't allow himself to get hit and for a heavyweight at any point in time that is special. If you look at past great heavyweights and you know what to look for you'll see similar attributes from the likes of: Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Larry Holmes, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman etc.

To each their own, but I am sure leftylee will be along shortly to tell you to watch David Haye

I must admit I dont enjoy watching the Klitchcos. They are usually too good for their opponents and play safe all the time even though they could finish the fight earlier. I dont blame them for wanting to win but I will not remember any of their fights.
However, they win their fights and they deserve to win. I am more irritated with the rest of the heavyweight devision because I have never seen a fighter train to beat the Klitchcos. They go in with no plan of how to defeat their style and they are not fit enough to keep up the fight. They tyre too early and become even easier to hit as the fight goes on.