Wlad Klitschko or Bernard Hopkins

Yes there's no denying the difference in credentials. But it's not Wlad's fault he hasn't fought as many ATG's. He is in the highest weight class, so he can not go up, and is to heavy to go down a class. So he can only fight who is in his class or who moves up a class, in which case he gets ridiculed for fighting a former Cruiserweight.

While Hopkins has had the luxury( I don't know if it should be called luxury, because those fights were big risks, but he had the chances) of fighting in a weight class, where only a few lbs here and there, can get you a great fight with some one from a different weight class. Way more possibilities. Case and point De La Hoya moving up from featherweight at the start of his career to middleweight for their fight.

I say way more possibilities, for 2 reasons. Those fighters moving up or down were allowed to construct their ATG status while fighting majority of their career in a different weight class. And with 4 belts in each class, he had the luck of fighting these champions who created their legacy with out any help form Hopkins. While the only way Wladimir can fight a champion is 1 of 2 ways, Since he has held most the belts for quite some years. Either he fights a long ago faded champion ATG (Holyfield, Toney etc etc..) or fight a past cruiserweight champion or unified champion.

So I ask you this, How can a heavyweight become an ATG opponent for Wladimir or Vitali?
If there is not a belt he can win or defend prior to facing and ultimately losing to either of them, it's not a possibility. The only thing that could happen to change this, is after they retire, a few of their past opponents become world champions and make a fine career for themselves. But this likely won't happen for some time, as Wladimir seems to be sticking around for a couple more yrs, and who knows how long their past opponents will stick around in the game.

 

I don't hold it against Wlad that there arn't any great heavies about for him to forge a name against but thats' not the point here, the point here was the guy I was responding to trying to claim that somehow Wlads list of opponents (in terms of quality) are not far removed from Hopkins' list opponents.

Well chances are Wlad wont ever face an opponent on that level in his career but that doesn't matter because he can forge his legacy by continuing his domination of the division and hopefully he'll get a chance to become unidsputed champion once his bitter brother retires.

 

we have seen wlad in exciting fights like peter, and also wlad's destruction of wach, byrd, mercer were exciting. when was hopkins ever in an exciting fight? never

 

This...^

 

Nobody in the US gave a "rat's ass" about B-Hop during the 90's when he was racking up title defenses and had a casual-friendly swarming, high activity, Boxer-Puncher style and got the KO in almost all of his fights... despite him being in possession of a U.S. passport (the **** is a Latino passport? :huhatsch)

It wasn't until he defeated a NON-American fighter, who happened to be on top of the p4p list did he start to gain some notoriety.

And he didn't get the boring TAG until he was around 40. An age which would be considered the end of the road for most boxers (when it comes to continued world level capability)

In his biggest career display (in the Trinidad fight) he put on an absolute clinic.

Here's an Argentinian, who fought nearly the entire championship portion of his career OUTSIDE of the U.S. (only 1 out of his 100 bouts took place in the U.S.) fighting a Colombian in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Who after defeating said Colombian, appeared on the cover of America's premier sports publication.

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So much for your flimsly little theory. :beat

 

The Peter fight was exciting? Wach was pathetic. At least Byrd tried, no matter how over matched he was. Mercer wasn't a bad fight though.

 

Yes fat Sam Peter running out of gas and getting beat by Wlad was quite the barn burner atsch

 

I always watched Wlads fights earlier but I can't be bothered to watch them now for the last 2 years. Not since the David Haye fight (which was such a let-down) , because his opponents are just crap. There's nothing competitive, nothing compelling in these fights.

As for B-Hop, his last fights were far from being FOTY, but at least they were against strong opposition and have been highly competitive. Plus I enjoy watching the old man using every trick in the book and his ring smarts to find a way to put his stamp on the fight, even if it is very ugly at times.

 

Hopkins was in plenty exciting action fights earlier in his career.
So was Wlad, but since the first Brewster fight he changed to a safety-first style which is more successful but boring to watch.

 

:deal

 

****, a very large chunk (if not a majority) of the American boxing public spent years rooting for our best fighter to get beaten by a pinoy who barely speaks English. American boxing fans are pretty much the least biased there are.

THIS. deal:deal

 

Peter weighed 241.5 lbs for their 2nd fight, which is not heavy at all for Peter's build. Now, the next fight against Helenius, yes Peter was out of shape at 260lbs.

 

I am sorry you do not understand boxing. You think Wlad is equally as skilled as Hopkins? You are wrong.

Nothing wrong with the position of both being boring as ****. Hopkins ain't entertaining gold, but I find him more appealing. Just an opinion.