Even though the current division isnt the strongest they have still dominated it. Does this make them ATG or do you need to beat world class A+ fighters to be classed as ATG?
No they are not ATG. They are good champs in a bad division and that should be enough. Being HW champ should be enough for anyone. They dont have to be great and they arent.
Division is good and they are ATG, first time in history division is international(Cuba, Europe, Englandstan, USA, Asia), why would it be bad.
Wladimir no, because he has never fought anybody who could match him in size, skill or power and he has never beaten a HOF Heavyweight. Vitali i would consider thinking about it. He fought very well against Lewis and showed the traits of an ATG, the only thing that could hurt him is his resume. IMO You have to at least fight and hold your own against an ATG to be considered one.
Are you talking resume, or head to head? The answer to both (for both Wlad and Vitali) is YES, absolutely. Although, head to head they will both be higher on the ATG list.
It's not. Many people (mistakenly) assume that because a US fighter isn't on top, the division must be bad. That's crazy talk . . . the sport is more worldwide today than ever before. Look at how the US has lost ground in all other sports over the last 50-years due to increased competition. Same has happened in boxing, no difference.
actually in reverse, if nobody could match his skills and power and size, it means he dominated and outclassed everybody and it means he is an ATG. If he has a close fight with somebody he is an ATG and if he dominates this same person he is not?
Outclassing people who haven't proved themselves doesn't make you an ATG, Vitali was able to match a very accomplished dominant Champion in Lewis. The only guy on Wladimir list who had somewhat proved himself was Chris Byrd, the rest were Champions for a day and underarchievers.
Top 10? Come on man. Beating Mormeck,Wach,Haye is equivalent to beating say Liston,Foreman,Patterson,Frazier ? Wlad belongs with Ali,Homes,Foreman,Holyfield,Louis,Dempsey ? No other ATG was 3 times KO'd before age 35. No other ATG had their brother to help them. Dont underestimate the brother thing.
According to this, Marciano, Holmes, Tyson and many other are not ATGs too, since none of them defeated a prime ATG. In fact your ATG top 10 probably has 2 people in it. Also, Wladimir actually defeated a lot of world champions and ring top 10 fighters, you can't call these people bums.
It's to early to tell. Fighters only get in the HOF 5 years after they retired. Chris Byrd will probably make it into the HOF. Other opponents of Wlad may follow once they retire.