The heavyweight champion as a political tool, history repeats itself!

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janitor, Mar 2, 2014.


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  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    About a six months ago we debated which of the current crop of fighters would get into the Hall of Fame. Most people thought that Wladamir Klitschko was a slam dunk, but many weren’t so sure about Vitally. I submit that recent events in Kiev, outside the ring have sealed it.

    In the 1930s the heavyweight division was highly politicised. You had:

    A German heavyweight champion who was used as a propaganda tool by Hitler.

    An Italian heavyweight champion who was used as a propaganda tool by Mussolini.

    A Jewish heavyweight champion who was used as a propaganda tool by the American Jewish lobby.

    A black heavyweight champion who was used as a propaganda tool by the civil rights movement.

    We have just seen Vitally Klitschko perform a similar role for the Ukranian opposition, and the Russian government has responded by deploying Nicolai Valuev to the streets of Sevastopol.

    The Klitschkos are a throwback in more ways than one. They are intellectual champions in the mould of Jack Johnson and Max Schmeling. Men who would probably not have gone into boxing in post war America, because they would have found other ways to support themselves. Like Joe Louis they are not carried by the political situation, they are forced to actively change it.

    The entry of Eastern Europe into the boxing game has brought back some trends that we assumed were gone forever.
     
    janitor, Mar 2, 2014
    janitor, Mar 2, 2014
    #1
  2. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    If I am reading you correctly, Janitor, and you are arguing that Garfield was not really a lazy cat but merely suffering a lifelong, systemic candidiasis, I have to say it is a compelling theory. But I cannot claim to agree without further discussion.
     
    Boxed Ears, Mar 2, 2014
    Boxed Ears, Mar 2, 2014
    #2
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Is this true?

    BTW, these events are making me quite uneasy… and they should for all of you… many far reaching implications. I have been through one Cold War and that was quite enough.
     
    Seamus, Mar 2, 2014
    Seamus, Mar 2, 2014
    #3
  4. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    janitor, Mar 2, 2014
    janitor, Mar 2, 2014
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  5. TheSouthpaw

    TheSouthpaw Champion Full Member

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    Im speechless...
     
    TheSouthpaw, Mar 2, 2014
    TheSouthpaw, Mar 2, 2014
    #5
  6. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    I'm not sure I get your point here .. are you saying some fighters made it into the hall because of political actions outside the ring in addition to their performances inside it ? If that is the case it seems like the examples above are all over the place w regards to their impact in addition to the level of their participation and their willingness to participate .. before I respond more I think I need to understand the point of the thread ..
     
    he grant, Mar 2, 2014
    he grant, Mar 2, 2014
    #6
  7. TheCrazyCal

    TheCrazyCal Baby Faced Hassassin Full Member

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    TheCrazyCal, Mar 2, 2014
    TheCrazyCal, Mar 2, 2014
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  8. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    This content is protected

    This content is protected

    This content is protected

    This content is protected

    This content is protected
     
    janitor, Mar 2, 2014
    janitor, Mar 2, 2014
    #8
  9. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Seamus, Mar 2, 2014
    Seamus, Mar 2, 2014
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  10. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    OK .. got it .. I think the difference w Vitali is that he is a highly educated man who has pursued a political career on his own for a long time .. that being said, I am a big fan of his
     
    he grant, Mar 2, 2014
    he grant, Mar 2, 2014
    #10
  11. Monogamous STD

    Monogamous STD Ya know, Quasimoto predicted all this. Full Member

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    Vitali is going to become a martyr I'm afraid. I'm worried Wlad might get it too by association. This is some intense stuff.
     
    Monogamous STD, Mar 2, 2014
    Monogamous STD, Mar 2, 2014
    #11
  12. Sawyers

    Sawyers Member Full Member

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    Vitali being compared to Schmeling. :patsch
     
    Sawyers, Mar 3, 2014
    Sawyers, Mar 3, 2014
    #12
  13. PowerPuncher

    PowerPuncher Loyal Member Full Member

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    Hopefully the Russians will settle for a gentlemanly dual between Vitali and Valuev
     
    PowerPuncher, Mar 3, 2014
    PowerPuncher, Mar 3, 2014
    #13
  14. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    trouble is brewing and I am not so sure where the chips will fall. I have seen much in my life and war destroys and damages, this could turn into WW3, a negative turn of events and it could happen.
     
    Bummy Davis, Mar 3, 2014
    Bummy Davis, Mar 3, 2014
    #14
  15. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    that would be the best violent solution of the lot
     
    Bummy Davis, Mar 3, 2014
    Bummy Davis, Mar 3, 2014
    #15
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