Interesting Fact For Vitali Klitschko Regarding The Solis Fight

Here are the records of Vitali Klitschko and Lennox Lewis, one of Vitali's chief rivals, as they stand today:

Lewis: 41-2-1 [32], 2 losses by KO/TKO
Vitali: 41-2-0 [38], 2 losses by KO/TKO

In other words, if Vitali Klitschko beats Odlanier Solis tomorrow night, he officially has "surpassed" Lewis' fight record. He would have more wins compared with Lewis, and both men would remain with the same number of losses. They will each have fought 44 times after Vitali steps into the squared circled against Solis.

Don't think Vitali doesn't know this. He definitely does. And I'm sure he's eager to vault past Lewis' mark.

 

Yeah, if Floyd fights about 8 more years. Given his frequency in the ring, it'll probably take that long.

 

Lewis and Vitali are extremely competitive (ditto with Wlad; Lewis and the Klitschkos were always competitive with one another). Vitali always wanted to face Lewis, wanted to rematch him, and I'm sure he's got his eye on surpassing his mark as well. There is no doubt he is aware of this stat and is looking to get a "one-up" on Lewis in this regard.

 

I'm not saying it's a perfect comparison, but the numbers are the numbers.

Vitali is a grudge-holding MoFo. He's competitive. Lewis always -- always -- has resented the Klitschkos. Vitali missed out on 5 or whatever years of his career with injuries. This is his final "trump card" play against the guy whom he felt escaped and who would never give him a rematch. And, to rub the point in, Vitali will hit this mark (should he win tomorrow) a year or so older than when Lewis claimed he was too old or whatever and had to hang them up after the Vitali fight.

Lots of sub-plots going on here. I know Vitali is aware of, and enjoying, all of them. But he still has to defeat Solis tomorrow or all of this goes out the window.

 

That's a fair point, though some would argue that many of the guys Lewis fought and gets credit for weren't in their primes (Holyfield, Tyson). Also, Vitali hasn't avoided anyone, including Lewis. There just haven't been as many "name" guys now for him to face, and guys that did have the name (Haye, Lewis) either didn't want to fight or rematch.

This is just a chit that Vitali will be able to throw on the table against Lewis, should he beat Solis tomorrow. I'm not saying it "proves" anything, but it's a nice stat to have vs a rival.