A question for the classic posters.

In November 1996, Wladmir Klitschko had his professional boxing debut. Since that time, he has achieved #1 status at heavyweight with a current record of 50-3, and unified two of four major alphabet titles. At age 32, Wladmir Klitschko seems to have time to at least two more prime years left in him.

Whether you think Wladmir is great or not is not the point trying to make. Get ready for a curve ball. It is now June 2008 and there has not been one active heavyweight has turned pro after 1996 that has surpassed Wlad’s accomplishments. This is 11 years and counting.

The 2008 Olympics will be here in a few months. I have seen most of the highest rated amateur participants in action. While the 2008 super heavyweight field itself has some depth, there does not seem to be an elite level talent on Klitschko’s level. It takes about 4 years for a top level Olympic talent to turn professional and fight for a work his way into contention. This means even if there is an elite level talent in the 2008 Olympic heavyweight or super heavyweight field, he won’t be ready for prime time until 2012-2013. This means at least 16-17 years will have passed before a heavyweight debuts with more talent than Wlad has. The lone exception might be the 2004 Gold Medal Winner, Alexander Povetkin.

Barring an upset in their next fights, Klitschko and Povetkin should be in the ring with two titles on the line sometime in 2009. As of right now, I think Klitschko wins that fight.

The question I want to ask is this. How many years will it be until a heavyweight boxer debuts that has more talent and will achieve more than Wald will.


Choice A ) It has already happened. ( Povetkin, or Chagaev )

Choice B ) 16-17 years. We will get one in the Oylmpics.

Choice C ) 20 years. We will get one in the 2012 Olympics.

Choice D ) 24+ years.

 

I see it the other way around. The best talents seem to have quality amateur backrounds and medaled in the Olympics or World Amateur Championships.

 

If you look up world amateur champs, then throw Chagaev in the mix as he was a two time world amateur champ ( 2-1 edge over Savon! ), who was upset in the 2000 Olympics.

And don’t forget Byrd who won gold at a lower weight division, then moved up.

Same goes or Holyfield who was halted via a foul. Holy would have won gold.

And Vitlai Klitschko who was silver world amateur champ at on point the #1 super heavy in the amateur games.

Yes--Savon, and Balado were never went pro, but if they did alphabet champion at one point seems likely.


So to sum it up the Olympics / amateur world championships have given us the following heavyweights:

Lewis, Bowe, Holyfield, V. Klitschko, W. Kltischko, Byrd, Mercer, and Chagaev! How many heavyweights can you name who went pro from 1988-2004 who did not do well in either the Olympic Games or World Amateur Championships and achieved say #1 or #2 ring magazine rank as a champion? Not too many. So maybe most of the top talent does come from the top two amateur tournaments.

 

I saw that match. Haye was cut in round one, and shaken. While he got a nice KO, Maccaranelli would be meat at heavyweight. My best gues is Haye not going to reach the top at heavyweight. He won't even fight Skelton for 500,000.

 

With the Olympics over, I thought I would bump this thread. Italy’s Super heavyweight Cammarelle shined, easily out classing people, and scoring back to back stoppage wins over Price and Zhang in the medal rounds.

Russia’s heavyweight Chakhkiev won gold. Though not as talented as Cammaralle, this rock of a man looks to be meaner, more durable, and has a fan’s pleasing style.

Cammarelle is very talented, and like Lennox Lewis went back to the Olympics for finishing school.

But back to the initial thread, even if these guys turn professional, it will be 4 years until they are ready for a world title fight. If Wlad defeats Povetkin, I think he can stay champ for a few more years, and after that I don’t see anyone on the way up better than him. Maybe Cammarelle has that chance, but at this point he’s a long shot to do as well.