Vladimir Klitschko really this good or just bad contenders??

[El Kabong]

Wlad is that good and has built a good legacy.

BTW Lewis was in some thrilling fights against Mercer, Briggs, Grant, where he took chances.

The Briggs fight was a great match...I think Briggs earned a knockdown that wasn't counted but I doubt it would have affected the outcome of the fight....it may have helped Lewis' legacy a touch since he ended up winning the fight and in all other cases once Lennox was down he was done. Great fight though.

Lennox took chances vs Vitali, I think that last round was a HUGE chance Lennox took, because I don't think he had any gas left in the tank and I think Vitali (although cut horribly and bleeding like a stuck pig) still had a little left...he had weathered the worst of it. Also a great fight.

[Beanflicker]

I think they also suffer from this romanticized vision a lot of boxing fans have of eras gone by. Now I'm not disputing the fact that the 70s were the golden age for HW boxing, I just fail to see how guys like Shavers, Chuvalo, Quarry, Bonavena, Henry Cooper, Doug Jones, Terrell, Bugner, ECT ECT were any better than the guys Wlad or Vitali fought.

Rocky Marciano tee'd off on mostly punching bags with arms, with a few washed up greats sprinkled in there, but no one would dare to dispute his greatness.

I guess like some other posters alluded to, the Klits won't get their respect until after they're gone.

[El Kabong]

Beanflicker, all the guys you named had their spot in the limelight and honestly if you think of Sam Peter, Ruslan Chagaev, Lamon Brewster, Chris Byrd, etc they all had their day in the spotlight too. And what's lacking from comparing older fights vs more recent ones is the lack of context ie everyone knows when Ali fought George Foreman everyone thought Foreman was unbeatable due to what he did to Frazier and what Frazier did to Ali, but they didn't take into account the different styles just liek when people look at Wladimir Klitschko-Sam Peter I they don't realize that Wlad was at a career low and his career was on the line for that fight and that Sam Peter had looked amazing in his most recent fights leading up to the match vs Wlad. And it's not just that fight it's all fights in recent history, I mean hell look at Michael Dokes, he used to be a somebody and now you see him on somebody's record and they pay him no mind....Dokes was a pretty solid fighter!

[0james0]

As good as they are, I'll still look forward to the day Haye gets in the ring with one of them and knocks them out!

[El Kabong]

As good as they are, I'll still look forward to the day Haye gets in the ring with one of them and knocks them out!

....I like to dream too

[0james0]

As good as they are, I'll still look forward to the day Haye gets in the ring with one of them and knocks them out!

....I like to dream too

and there was me thinking we would disagree on the matter. I'm glad we are on the same wavelength and dreaming of a Haye KO!

[El Kabong]

I can see Holyfield and Lewis being difficult for pretty much any all time great champion....Wlad wouldn't necessarily be a cake walk for Lewis given Lennox's propensity for starting slowly and unenthusiasticly.

As for Bowe I'm not so sure. To me he had great potential but other than Holyfield and Golota he never really tested himself vs the best of his era (namely Tyson and Lewis) and if Golota worked him over then I figure Wladimir could do even better.

[Rantcatrat]

I can see Holyfield and Lewis being difficult for pretty much any all time great champion....Wlad wouldn't necessarily be a cake walk for Lewis given Lennox's propensity for starting slowly and unenthusiasticly.

As for Bowe I'm not so sure. To me he had great potential but other than Holyfield and Golota he never really tested himself vs the best of his era (namely Tyson and Lewis) and if Golota worked him over then I figure Wladimir could do even better.

So, Lyle, all said, where do you rate Wlad/Vitali of all-time heavyweights?

[El Kabong]

Well I mean dreaming in general, but sure Chicken Little and KO will be used in the same sentence if he ever fights Wlad but I doubt you'll enjoy the outcome

[0james0]

........but if he fights Vitali.............................

[Spicoli]

All this time I thought he had a w in his first name.

[El Kabong]

........but if he fights Vitali.............................

Yup Vitali murders him

[El Kabong]

I rate Wlad and Vitali in the 15-20 range just based on accomplishments, on talent they may be higher.

[Rantcatrat]

I rate Wlad and Vitali in the 15-20 range just based on accomplishments, on talent they may be higher.

Prime Mike Tyson versus Wlad?

[Master]

I rate Wlad and Vitali in the 15-20 range just based on accomplishments, on talent they may be higher.

Prime Mike Tyson versus Wlad?

Tyson KO whenever he connects.