When are these idiots going to realise that they are actually better served taking fights against each other before taking on the Klits. The best opponent Vitali's last 2 opponents have faced is frickin Travis Walker...but rather than risk their title shot by taking a real challenge they go straight after the big fish and get crushed. Not that either of these guys would have beaten Vitali anyway, but fights against the like of James Toney, John Ruiz, Hasim Rahman etc will be a great education for a fighter....will develop their big fight experience....and will make them more marketable if/when the big fight does come. Going from fighting Devin Vargas to V.Klit is like going from State 100M champion to racing Usain Bolt. Johnson was completely over-awed by the occasion tonight and was more interested in not embarrassing himself than winning the title. That fight was a joke!!!
It's one of the things I was so down on Johnson about before the fight, he has literally fought no-one of worth to get this opportunity...just disposed of enough warm bodies without losing to get himself ranked high enough for a voluntary. When your the best opponent on your resume is a 40+ year old Bruce Seldon, you've got a serious lack of depth. So many are backing their way into title contention without taking on at least the gatekeepers, are happy just to try to luck out or failing that cash out, instead of learning on the job and developing the skills needed to not just beat someone like a Vitali or a Wlad, but then defend that title too. Sad thing is, Johnson isn't even the worse title challenger of recent years. Unless we have some Peter Okhello fans here?
Great post, I agree. It's too big of a step up. Ridiculous that Arreola and Johnson got a shot without first proving themselves in more competitive fights.
About the only American heavyweight doing it right at the moment is Eddie Chambers. He had the Povetkin setback, and also had to address his stamina and conditioning issues, but lo and behold he seems to have learned the lessons from that and was impressive in his last fight. It's a symptom of the 'gotta protect the 0' approach. And if no-one risks anything, no-one learns anything...
This is why I respect Eddie Chambers. He's been in with a good few top 10 fighters now and has proven that he deserves the chance to fight Wlad. You've got to think that he's going to try to win the title rather than survive....and the atmosphere should be less intimidating having had some big fights already!!! Damon - Peter Okhello has got to be the worst one ever surely!!!!
I dont think the Klitz have many other challengers anyway. Its a weak era in the Heavyweight division, thats for sure. Everyones hoping that Haye can pull us out of that, but Im not holding my breath on that one.
What about Carl Davis Drumond, Danny Willimas, Matt Skelton, Hasim Rahman of 2008, Ray Austin, Owen Beck or Shannon Briggs ?
I have said this for a long time but fighters are looking for their career high payday and happy with it. If they were really confident in themselves, they would probably take more fights. Chambers has done well. I can't fault him a bit. Arreola, Johnson, Solis, they're not about that it seems. At least Solis has a mind boggling amateur pedigree but amateurs aren't pros. Deep down, I think they get the experience point but aren't confident. They don't have that urge to prove they're the best, they have the urge to get as much as they can while the getting is good.
My point exactly!!! The truth is you can't "con" your way to be the best. They'd find out a lot more about themselves and learn new skills in the ring with some of these top talents.
i have been making a big deal of this for a while....these guys who are ranked # 1 or just get a shot by not having fought a top 10 guy. its pathetic how these guys "earn" shots 1) chris arreolla- biggest win to that date was jamile mccline 2) JC Gomez- beat 40 something year old mccall 2 times in 2005 and 2007 , Denis Bakhtov in 2007 (unranked) 2008 Vladimir Virchis (unranked) 3) Kevin Johnson- his biggest win, Devin Vargas, not even a top 25 ranked guy... 4) tony thompson- earned his shot at wlad by fighting timor ibragimov, krnasqui, cliff couser. 5) calvin brock- beat ibragimov, david bostice and zuri launrece 6) ray austin- beats jeremy bates,larry donald, own beck and has a draw with sultan ibrigimov to get his shot 7) ibragimov- hell at least he beat briggs and holyfield for his shot thats like working at burger king, then mcdonalds, then wendys and going to apply for a job as a bank executive
I agree with everyone on this thread. Arreola and even more so with Johnson should have had more experience than they did. The Klitschko's are a pair of beasts right now and you are going to have a hard time jumping from a top 50 guy to fighting either one. Johnson and Arreola should have tried to fight a Maskaev, Austin, Guinn, or a fight or two on that level before attempting a Klitschko, at the very least. That is the one good thing about Wlad's next two opponents, both Chambers and Povetkin have been tested on several occasions. They won't have nearly the leap that Johnson or Arreola did. Atleast both guys should be better having faced Vitaly so by the time they get another shot they will be much better prepared.
