The Russians are coming, the russians are coming----

3 Eastern European punchers sitting atop the 3 heaviest classic divisions... who would have thought that 20 years ago?

 

In the past, there were probably quite a few Eastern Europeans, who could have made it all the way to the top as pros - if only they had been given the chance!

The Russians themselves rate light welterweight Vladimir Yengibaryan, who won Olympic gold in 1956, very highly. He's said to have boxed in a somewhat "western/pro" style - so he could likely have adapted very well to the pro ring. He was a bit before my time though, so I have only read about him.

But I do remember another very fine Russian from the 60s, light middleweight Boris Lagutin, who won 3 olympic madals, and was a very clever boxer. He, too, would have been an obvious candidate for a successful pro career.

And then there was one of the biggest-punching amateurs ever, middleweight Vyacheslav Lemeshev, also from the former Sovjet Republic. Lemeshev won Olympic gold in the '72 Munic Games - where he stopped 4 of 5 opponents inside 2 rounds. He had a right that simply "turned the lights out" when he landed... and I recall how people at the time were talking about what would happen, if he was allowed to take a fight against Carlos Monzon. That's how highly thought of he was!

I'm sure, there are countless others from the old Eastern Block, who could have made it as pros - but those 3 are the ones that immediately come to (my) mind.

 

Klitschkos are not from Russia.

 

Imagine a phone booth war of Igor Vitshotsky vs Smokin' Joe Frazier in the early 70's if Igor could have fought in the professional ranks? If he doesn't suffer debilitating facial cuts because of his tissue-thin skin I would favor the Russian powerhouse. In fact, only Ali, Foreman, Jimmy Young (because styles make fights) would be favored against Vitshotsky in a professional fight imo.

 

Igor beats Quarry, Norton, Shavers, Lyle, Chuvalo, etc. Basically anyone who is there to be hit and gets into a war in that era would have huge problems. Igor was slightly over 6ft. tall and weighed a rock-solid 215lbs. with a bull neck and powerful chest, sturdy legs, etc. Knocked out the great Teliofelo Stevenson in the early 70's when Stevensen was in his prime.

 

The Russians purposely kept him out of the Olympics because having to engage in a lot fights in a short time his face would invariably be cut up. Vitshotsky was meant for professional boxing. It would have suited him better than amateur.

 

HW: Wlad

LHW: Kovalev

MW: Golovkin

WW: Provodnikov

LW: Shafikov

 

Racially, Ukrainians and Russians are the same. And Kiev used to be the capital of Russia.

 

It wasn't just propaganda. Rocky 4 became reality. The ol' black champions from the past have faded away and giants from Russia came to conquer boxing.

*Soviet Union National Anthem*

 

UROP!!!

HW: Wlad, Vitali
CW: Huck, Wlodarczyk
LHW: Kovalev, Woge
SMW - WW: GGG
LWW: Provodnikov

UROP!!!

 

I am probably showing my age too but what the hell Vyacheslav Lemeshev
was absolutely brutal made gennady and kovalev punchers look like fly swats!
but that time there was alot of steroid in the eastern block alledgely

 

GGG is from Kazakhstan

 

Once there was a question why GG does not represent Russia?
He got irritated with the question and angrily answered "why should I represent Russia?! I was born and grew up in Kazakhstan, my parents live there! I just don't understand why such stupid questions are asked..."
Recently he said "my mother is Korean, my father is Russian, but I am Kazakh!"