A warning from history for Wladamir Klitschko

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janitor, Jun 14, 2015.


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  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Wladamir Klitschko has now held the heavyweight title for so long, that we have to look at champions like Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes and Lennox Lewis to find an effective frame of comparison. The question of how he will be separated from the heavyweight title, and by who, is a matter of intense speculation. The heavyweight champions of the past, who achieved similar longevity, offer up a stark warning.

    They all without exception failed to identify the fighter who would bring their title reign to an end, whether the title was ripped from their grasp, or they were forced to accept that they could no longer hold on to it.

    In most cases they badly misjudged the landscape of the division, and did not see the fighter who would end their reign as a particular standout. They went from thinking that there was no outstanding challenger, to finding themself on trial for their life.

    Before Joe Louis fought Walcott, nobody seems to have thought that any of the challengers were a serious threat, and Walcott was not particularly seen as a standout among them.

    An ageing Ali new that he had to steer clear of a fourth fight with Ken Norton, and he swerved into Leon Spinks.

    Larry Holmes was criticised for choosing Michael Spinks for his attempt to tie Rocky Marciano’s record, and it proved to be a fateful choice.

    Lennox Lewis thought that kirk Johnson was one of the better challengers out there, and he almost sleepwalked into a fight with Vitally Klitschko.

    When Wladamir Klitschko either loses the title, or has a good scare that convinces him to get out of the game, the challenge might come from a totally unexpected quarter.
     
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    #1
  2. lepinthehood

    lepinthehood When I'm drinking you leave me well alone banned Full Member

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    fury is that man.
     
    lepinthehood, Jun 14, 2015
    lepinthehood, Jun 14, 2015
    #2
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Stranger things have happened.
     
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    #3
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Stranger things HAVE happened, but it would be a bit of a shocker.

    Fury may legitimately be third or fourth best heavy in the world - the division is absurdly weak. This might help him hold on longer than is normal. I would say he should box on for as long as he is only losing 2 or 3 rounds a fight at most. He basically beat Povetkin - an outstanding heavy - 12-0.
     
    McGrain, Jun 14, 2015
    McGrain, Jun 14, 2015
    #4
  5. thistle1

    thistle1 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    that is grossly inaccurate and frightfully sad, in that this is the s h i t rammed down our throats and sold as legit.

    there ARE fighters in Britain that would beat him, then there's Europe, then there's the World.

    the Division might be (is) pathetic, But MAKE these Frauds fight each other and watch the hyped one's drop off.

    and Fury IS Just That, Hyber-bulls h it!!!
     
    thistle1, Jun 14, 2015
    thistle1, Jun 14, 2015
    #5
  6. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I agree that the prognosis for him fighting on, is about as good as it gets, but there are only so many outcomes.

    He might choose to retire while on top of his game.

    He might have a poor performance in a winning effort, and decide that enough is enough.

    The third option is that he fights on until somebody beats him.
     
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    #6
  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Well at the moment it seems likely that he will do either two or three more and then pack it in. That's his HBO contract seen out plus a homecoming if he does both those fights in the States/here. That sounds and feels about right to me.
     
    McGrain, Jun 14, 2015
    McGrain, Jun 14, 2015
    #7
  8. SILVER SKULL 66

    SILVER SKULL 66 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He will be 40 next March, I don't care for his style of fighting, but the way he is going he looks like he could go on another 4 or 5 years, if he stays in shape..

    Fury is a big oaf,I hope Klitchko does fight him, he will knock him out in 7 or 8 rounds, to much of a talent gap there ..
     
    SILVER SKULL 66, Jun 14, 2015
    SILVER SKULL 66, Jun 14, 2015
    #8
  9. Brixton Bomber

    Brixton Bomber Obsessed with Boxing banned Full Member

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    What a clown.

    Fury ducked Price, and Cunningham dropped him massively.

    Wlad will hospitalise Tyson if they meet.
     
    Brixton Bomber, Jun 14, 2015
    Brixton Bomber, Jun 14, 2015
    #9
  10. Ragamuffin

    Ragamuffin Active Member Full Member

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    I have to agree with you here unfortunately. I wish people wouldn't over-hype fighters until they have proven themselves against legit boxers. They are building up their own disappointment.
     
    Ragamuffin, Jun 14, 2015
    Ragamuffin, Jun 14, 2015
    #10
  11. edward morbius

    edward morbius Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Interesting thread.

    One thing though, these were different situations.

    Walcott might have been overlooked, but time proved him a formidable opponent. He might have given a young Louis a tough time.

    In my judgement, Spinks was just the lucky man at the right time, but subsequenty proved a mediocre fighter.

    If Wlad runs into a fighter as capable as Walcott, he will have a very tough time.

    But he might go on for several more years if Spinks level challengers are all that is out there.
     
    edward morbius, Jun 14, 2015
    edward morbius, Jun 14, 2015
    #11
  12. SILVER SKULL 66

    SILVER SKULL 66 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Agreed, it seems like these days,Guy's will hype up unproven fighters,because of where he's from or his skin color, or because they want to see another fighter beaten..

    Fury hasn't done a damn thing to lead me believe he could beat Klitchko..
     
    SILVER SKULL 66, Jun 14, 2015
    SILVER SKULL 66, Jun 14, 2015
    #12
  13. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Vlad has much more talent and gifted than Fury but Fury brings a bit of craziness, size and belief in himself , lets see how he handles Vlad ****nal and he better not sleep on Fury
     
    Bummy Davis, Jun 14, 2015
    Bummy Davis, Jun 14, 2015
    #13
  14. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    janitor, Jun 14, 2015
    #14
  15. dinovelvet

    dinovelvet Antifanboi Full Member

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    Spinks was a mediocre fighter now? Wtf:huh
     
    dinovelvet, Jun 14, 2015
    dinovelvet, Jun 14, 2015
    #15
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