Vladimir Klitschko really this good or just bad contenders??

[Balboa]

I look back at previous heavyweights, and I struggle to find very many heavyweights over the history of the sport that would have been these two at their best.

I think they would have steam rolled Frazier, Marciano, Patterson, Liston, Louis, Foreman. I see absolutley no way how these guys could get in on guys taller and stronger than them with that kind of jab.

I don't think Holmes and Ali's moving on the outside styles would be super effective because at least Wlad who is always in balance would walk them down with his jab.

Norton might present problems for Wlad because he is awkward, but Vitali would destroy.

Honestly besides Lennox Lewis I can't think of a fighter who even in their prime I would give a better than 50/50 chance against these brothers.

I also find it insulting or ignorant to say Wlad hasn't fought quality opposition in the last little run Ibragimov, Chagaev, Peter(at the time), Byrd, Brock, Chambers, and the list goes on were all highly competent fighters. But Wlad has great timing and highly underrated speed, and I can't think of a punch in the history of the heavyweight division that landed more consistently than Wlad's jab, and that jab lands like most heavyweights crosses.

That's beautifully said. The brothers Klitschko are extremely underrated because they're not bloody messes at the end of their fights (when did you anti-Vitali fans start to MAYBE like Vitali? Why, after his bloody performance against Lennox!!) and you never seem them struggle life and death inside the ring.

Sadly their true worth won't be realized until long after they've retired i suspect.

[Rantcatrat]

I look back at previous heavyweights, and I struggle to find very many heavyweights over the history of the sport that would have been these two at their best.

I think they would have steam rolled Frazier, Marciano, Patterson, Liston, Louis, Foreman. I see absolutley no way how these guys could get in on guys taller and stronger than them with that kind of jab.

I don't think Holmes and Ali's moving on the outside styles would be super effective because at least Wlad who is always in balance would walk them down with his jab.

Norton might present problems for Wlad because he is awkward, but Vitali would destroy.

Honestly besides Lennox Lewis I can't think of a fighter who even in their prime I would give a better than 50/50 chance against these brothers.

I also find it insulting or ignorant to say Wlad hasn't fought quality opposition in the last little run Ibragimov, Chagaev, Peter(at the time), Byrd, Brock, Chambers, and the list goes on were all highly competent fighters. But Wlad has great timing and highly underrated speed, and I can't think of a punch in the history of the heavyweight division that landed more consistently than Wlad's jab, and that jab lands like most heavyweights crosses.

Strong Post. And I agree with most of it. The skills of the Klitschkos are underrated.

I disagree with Lyle about HBO's business reasons for not airing every Klitschko fight. The truth is most casual fans of boxing are Latino and the heavyweight division, other than Arreola, lacks any recognizable Latinos. Recall HBO aired the Arreola heavyweight title fight with Vitali and the Arreola v. Adamek fight and for that matter, most recent Arreola fights. To get the casual fan to tune in and get your ratings up, you need either a Latino heavyweight or opponents that are more recognizable to the casual fan - Haye or Adamek (if he wins) v. the Klitschko's WILL be on HBO. Guaranteed. Two Russians just doesn't excited the American masses even if they happen to be the best heavyweights out there. But, that's no jab at the Klitschko's because they do their thing to perfection and can't be beat, it just means their wins may not make it to american tv.

Would I have tuned in to see the Povetkin fight? Of course.

And I have to agree with Hitman that Wlad needs to make his fights more exciting even if it means exposing himself to more danger if you want to see them on american television more often. It wouldn't hurt for him to knock his opponent out before the 7th round here and there and it's not like he can't do it. He dominates them.

[El Kabong]

In all honesty I was more disappointed in the way Wlad handled Rahman and Chagaev...I think he could have easily stopped them sooner.

The Ibragimov disaster was 100% on Sultan, he ran away from Wlad. I for one figured "Sultan stood toe to toe with Ray Austin, why not vs Wlad?" But apparently Sultan just tried to survive and that cause for an ugly fight.

[ICB]

I look back at previous heavyweights, and I struggle to find very many heavyweights over the history of the sport that would have been these two at their best.

I think they would have steam rolled Frazier, Marciano, Patterson, Liston, Louis, Foreman. I see absolutley no way how these guys could get in on guys taller and stronger than them with that kind of jab.

I don't think Holmes and Ali's moving on the outside styles would be super effective because at least Wlad who is always in balance would walk them down with his jab.

Norton might present problems for Wlad because he is awkward, but Vitali would destroy.

Honestly besides Lennox Lewis I can't think of a fighter who even in their prime I would give a better than 50/50 chance against these brothers.

I also find it insulting or ignorant to say Wlad hasn't fought quality opposition in the last little run Ibragimov, Chagaev, Peter(at the time), Byrd, Brock, Chambers, and the list goes on were all highly competent fighters. But Wlad has great timing and highly underrated speed, and I can't think of a punch in the history of the heavyweight division that landed more consistently than Wlad's jab, and that jab lands like most heavyweights crosses.

Wow are you kidding me Taeth ? Lennox Lewis was outjabbed by the likes of Frank Bruno, Ray Mercer. Larry Holmes was a better version of Lennox Lewis no question, he had a better jab, better chin, better athletically, faster hands, better footwork. The only thing Lennox Lewis has over Larry Holmes is size and power. But still Larry Holmes was no small fry at 6'3 either.

As for Muhammad Ali well its pretty much the same as Larry Holmes, except the size and power. But yet again Muhammad Ali was no small fry either, i don't see why you think Lennox Lewis is so perfect.

There's plenty of Heavyweight's better than Lennox Lewis, and i don't get where you get the word athletic from and use it too describe Lennox Lewis. At times he was very lumbering, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, ETC. Were much better athletically and there's plenty more aswell.

Wladimir Klitschko to me is the new Lennox Lewis, although he's not as strong mentally, and he lacks variety. Where as Lennox Lewis could fight on the inside and had the uppercut.

I got nothing against Lennox Lewis, and he was very good. But the way you describe him at times im thinking is this the same fighter ?

[rjj tszyu]

Wladimir Klitschko is not great at all. He's not bad but any decent HW champ would KO him. The problem is there are no decent HW's around at the minute other than Haye and he just seems to be more at ease living the life of the champ rather than becoming it at the moment. If though you could put Wlad back into the 90's with Bowe, Holyfield, Tyson and Lewis though I would 100% guarantee all 4 would KO him without too much trouble.

I think the interesting fights in that era would be Wlad against the likes of Bruno, Morrison and Ruddock. I think they would be hard fights to call, but against the elite of that era?? He would get mauled.

[Majesty]

Lennox Lewis didnt get any respect until he retired and he had the same style.

Lewis finished when it was time to finish someone, he didn't prolong the inevitable for 11 rounds. Lewis went in against Golata got him hurt and finished him in the first round. Wladimer would have played it safe for 7 or 8 rounds before going for the kill.

[jolz]

How do you feel about Klitschoko current Regine as the heavy weight champ? There has been alto of complaining about them, but to be frank, Ive seen very few who have actually made him work in the ring to retain the tittle.
Alot of the heavy division is filled with over weight, sub par talent, with little passion for the title. For a boxer to duke it out with the Klit bro, hes got the able to bob, weave, duck, tie up but be built like a Bull! The contender in my eyes must be anywhere from 5'11-6'3 at most, but really be able to land some bombs on the bros. its that simple. But with the bro being over 6'6 and lets keep it real, they do have some talent, and make no mistake, they are masters of technique and form.

Its an easy pay for both brothers. Are they fighting a safe fight? yes, Do I blame them ..NO. Hell I give you a few million bucks and a title, all you have to do is use that height and jab to your advantage and you can win, why not?

Too boringly good..

[badr_hari]

Klitschko brothers are disrespected by some American fans (not by the true fans, a true boxing fan will have absolutely NO problem watching somebodie's ability to dominate the opponet with the JAB), But on the other hand Klitschkos don't really need to be recognized from the American fan base. Who cares if somebody in US knows them or not, Who cares if HBO airs their fights or not. They make a 60 000 soccer stadium Sold out and get 10 million $ per fight. Their accomplishments are recognized and they are respected as "One of the Greatest Heavyweight of all time" here in Europe. If you ask 10 seven years old kids, 7 of them will know who Klitschko is.