How will they be remembered when they retire? Sure they dominated, but they did so in a weak era. On the other hand, Marciano fought in a weak era too. And will we ever have another "lineal" HW champion if no one beat Wlad to win the title?
Vitali will be remembered for some exciting fights and for taking the guys who would give Wlad problems. Wlad will be remembered for dominating a weak era in the most boring way possible. 9th and 10th round knockouts that other heavyweight champions would have done in 3-4 rounds. Outside of the ring, they will be remembered as classy, educated, and good sportsmen.
Wladimir: The man who dominated a relatively weak division with KO after KO and one sided decision after one sided decision. Boring but he took care of business and build up a nice resume (weak compared to the elite tier of HW ATGs through history). He is/was one of the best HWs to lace them up, based on his dominance, skills and physical gifts. Vitali: The big, tough and mean titlist. Not as highly rated in terms of accomplishments as his brother, but a tougher and scarier fighter. Had his chance at glory against a fading ATG but just came up short, no real signature wins, but dominance against a host of B level guys. Came back to instantly win a world title after 4 years off and dominate decent opponents. Also a bit of the "could-have-beens" in boxing, as he probably missed most of his prime doing his 4 year sit out, where his brother took over the division.
Who's History, the USA and the UK? Real history and real boxing fans will remember them as dominate champions with class, highly educated and breaking the racist and classist mold that to be a great boxer you have to be: dumb, poor, angry and a minority. Both had flaws but both over came them and became the best version of a fighter they could be.
They will be forgotten. Germany doesn't make the the call on who's an ATG. The US is the mecca of boxing and if they booted Wlad out of the country and off all the major airways they sure as hell ain't going to recognise him as an ATG. Top 10 ATG ?? lmao... Some people are stupid. Vitali is a nobody. Povektin has a better record than Vitali.
Ukraine have no say in 'real history' None. That country is like a top 100 journeyman in the world. Germany might have a say.. but Germany is like that top 10 fighter who's delusional and ******ed... so I don't know if anyone will listen to Germany's rants anymore.. (especially since the last 2 got half the world killed) Wladimir will be remembered as a top 10 heavyweight who can read good. Vitali will be remembered as a tko6 joke.