Wladimir Klitschko: Is longevity a factor?

The other day I was thinking: most fighters have a period of years in which they are competitive.

For example, Ali (1962-1978 ), Holmes (1978-1988 ), Louis (1936-1950), Holyfield (1989-2002), Lewis (1992-2004), Frazier (1967-1975). In most cases, this lasts between 8 and 15 years.

Wladimir Klitschko has been competing at elite level since 2000. We almost in 2012. So Wladimir's career at elite level will expand over 12 years. It's impressive that most people think he's in his prime. How much can he last?

Will longevity be a factor in his career, or will he decline like Lennox Lewis (who looked great in 2002 and sucked in 2003)? Maybe Wlad will look dominant in his next fight, but then look old next year.

 

He doesn't get much punishment so I doubt he will age over night.

 

agree with boom..lewis took some punishment plus he didnt look after himself aswell as wlad has..wlad stays in shape year round eats right.not a big drinker ect..lewis didnt always stay in shape and enjoyed a few drinks from time to time...

 

With the up and coming heavyweights out there as well as the established names, I think Wladimir should be able to continue his dominance for another 4-5 years if he chooses to do so. I've already seen signs that he's declining a little bit, but it's nothing major and whatever level he's fighting at right now is clearly a few levels above the other contenders.

 

I am the biggest Wlad hater on the planet, but I am telling you, this guy takes his training very serious, he has a lot of discipline and great work ethics. He would never enter a ring less than 100% prepared.

 

All the fighters you listed have been in some epic ****ing wars in the ring.

Wlad really hasn't. He has hard a few hard fights, and he took some lumps in 3 or 4 of his fights. But overall, he hasn't accumulated the damage those guys have.

Wlad will continue to dominate for a long time.

 

he already has..and look what happend

 

Are you referring to the Sanders fight? If you are, I disagree, he was prepared but uses lack of preparation as an excuse.

 

Boringness is definitely a factor.

 

Wald never look out of shape when he's not fighting. What he need to do is just start fighting like he used too. I no longer watch his fight because all he does now is jab and grab. He needs to be that killer offensive machine that he used to be, the HW division is so suck that it wouldn't even be a risk if he fight that way anyway.

 

A boxers greatness is not defined by the lack of excitement that he brings to the fight.

 

ofcourse he was under prepared..why in the hell would he have went in fighting like that if he was??i mean the man gave up every atribute he had to try and slug..if you think he went in there prepared as usuall then ur wrong...:good:good

 

I've watched his fights since 1996. He was his usual self against Corrie.

 

:bbbLL didnt age overnight . the fighter across from him was what made him look bad .

 

The long ass layoff had a lot to do with it.