No AJ, beating Wlad will not make you a legend.

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Using your logic nobody is a legend then, because the first champion could not possibly beat a legend. Wladimir has never been caught using drugs. Vitali was in the amateurs. Showing you poor boxing knowledge there again.

 

Wlad is the dominant HW of the mid 2000s to mid 2010s. By definition he's a legend. Boxing fans in 50 years will still be talking about Wlad, strength and weaknesses and hypothetical matchups.

 

Is it Vlad's fault that the HW division was dead with the defeat of Vitali by Lewis and Lewis's retirement; TKO6?

Vitali had his chance to become legend, but failed.
Vlad never got the chance, but he too would have failed even worst than Vitali.

 

No, by your very own definition there are no legends, because the first champion never beat a legend, and you have to beat a legend to become a legend. Lol!

 

No, that is YOUR misguided interpretation, not to be confused with logic.

All past legends had (required) an equally talented nemesis;
-Ali : Had many. Liston, Frazier, Forman, etc.
-SRL : Had Hearns, Duran, Hagler

Vlad had Tua and Ibeabuchi, but never fought them because their careers were side-lined, leaving only B-levels and bums.
I have zero doubt that Ike would be a 70/30 bet to definitely beat Vlad and give Tua a 50/50 chance.
With Lewis's retirement and Ike/Tua side-lined, Vlad gained the championship, but lost the chance for greatness.
Everything has a trade-off!

 

Lol! This is hilarious. Ok let's make this very simple for you. Who do you think was the very first legend for heavyweights?

 

Biggest fight of his career against a aging ATG. If he knocks Wlad out or beats him more convincingly it makes him more popular but a "legend" naw

 

Just my opinion, but Jack Johnson.

 

Which legend did Johnson beat in order to make him a legend? Oh, wait.

 

All opponents + The US government?
It took a Mann act to stop him!

 

When you beat a legend, you become a legend. Those are the rules.

Ask Danny Green.

 

So he didn't beat a legend? Guess he wasn't a legend.

 

Don't take my word.
Ask an real ATG their opinion(s), or check out ESPN's ATG list.

 

Danny Williams knocked out Mike Tyson

So is Danny Williams now a heavyweight legend?

 

Smith just got a win over 52 year old ATG BHOP. So what!
There are levels to boxing, and THINKING as well.
If a UFC fan says he is, you'll probably believe it, but the leading sports publications and boxing sanctioning bodies differ drastically from UFC fanboy opinions.