Dominating a decade. The Klitschko's

“ Dominating a decade ”

At the turn of the centruy Jeffries was on top of the mountain. From 1908-1915 it was Johnson's turn. Then Demspey. The early 1930's were a mess until Joe Louis came around. In the 1940's, Joe Louis was king. The 1970's was Ali's time. With just a few days left in the decade, I thought I'd offer a piece in this decade of heavyweight boxing.

When they first hit the scene as professionals in November 1996 as World Amateur Champions, many critics in North American and the United Kingdom labeled the Klitschko’s as amateur Eastern European boxers. Some called critics called them “ white hopes “. Some foolishly compared them to oafish heavyweights of yesteryear. Others greeted them with antipathy and bigotry. My opinion based on ring observation prior to 2000 was they would both would be future champions. Slowly but surely the Kltischko’s have silenced the critics. Indeed the brothers have dominated the decade of heavyweight boxing, punched out various myths, and forced boxing pundits to “re-think” their initial comments.

Below is a thread on their accomplishments from 2001-2010.

Record World title fights. Vitali: 8-1, Wlad 16-2. Combined record 34-3! 91.89% winning percentage.

World title belts won. WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO.

Lineal Champions defeated. Vitali: 1, Wlad: 1. Combined 2.

Record of opponents when they fought them. Wlad 659-46-16 -91.4% winning percentage of opponents. Vitali 526-41-10 -91.2% winning percentage of opponents. Combined record of opponents: 1,185-87-26 – 91.2% winning percentage


Distinctions earned. Vitali reached : #1 by all major independent Rankings ( Ring Magaizne, IBO, Box Rec, Fight news ) . Ring Magazine Champion. Ring Magazine Comeback Fighter of the year. Ring Magazine top 12 Pound for Pound ranking. First pro kickboxer champion to become a heavyweight champion as a boxer. Wald: reached #1 by all major independent Rankings ( Ring Magazine, IBO, Box Rec, Fightnews ), Ring Magazine Champion. Unified more than one belt, Ring Magazine top 10 pound for pound ranking.

Top Ring Magazine ranked fighters defeated Wlad: 12. Vitali: 6. Combined 18.

Number of undefeated prospects beaten: 7

Became the first brothers to simultaneously hold major world title belts in the heavyweight division.

Formed K2 promotions which promotes large boxing cards, and gave millions to charity through the Klitschko Brothers Fund, a charitable organization.

Like them or not, there is no doubt the Kltischko’s have dominated this decade of heavyweight boxing. Boxing Historians and fans will be referencing them 50 years from now. A legacy has been earned.

 

We know you hate the Klitschko's, Doylexxx. To answer your question, but Rhaman and Briggs were former lineal champions.

 

The Klitschko's round won to rounds lost ratio is the best in heavyweight boxing history. Even better than Ali's or Holmes, and far better than Joe Louis'. Vitali has lost maybe 8 rounds in his career, Wlad maybe ten. Ali himself lost more rounds vs the likes of Doug Jones and Karl Mildenberger.

 

Vitlai lost 1 round to Hide, 2 rounds to Byrd, 1 to Sanders, 2 to Lewis, and 1 round to Gomez. Go ahead an add another round if you wish. Essentially he has lost 7-8 consensus rounds in his enter career, and never suffered a 10-8 round because he was never floored by a punch.

Very impressive.

I have to go now, But Wlad's is almost as impressive.

I would say #3 would be tough to pin down. Maybe Liston, Ali or Holmes.

 

Off the top of my head, Tyson lost 4 rounds to Tills, 8 to Lewis, about 8-9 to Holyfield, 2 to Bruno, about 6-7 to Douglas. Right there we are at 26+ rounds lost.