Is Wladimir Klitschko a top 10 HW of all time? - Please remember to vote

Hey, brother, if he were a true heavyweight great, fighting against less than stellar challengers, he'd definitely not take 10+, even against the most durable or negative types. Like Tyson, the epitome of finishing and early ending heavyweight champs, with the ultra-durable superstar Bonecrusher Smith, Ali (closer style to WK) with Wepner, Evangelista and Lubbers, etc. Or Holmes with Rodriguez and Cobb, etc, etc, etc.

Where does this goofy knock on Wlad come from? That he also needs to stop everyone as soon as possible, in addition to getting the dominating victory? What are we even talking about? Wladimir is a defensive fighter. And when people get indignant about his wins when he knocks out fighters who've never been stopped, because he doesn't do it early enough, or the rare-non kayo victory, I can only scratch my head.

Because if you want to compare him to those previous champions, you're going to have a very long list of not finishing lesser-heavies/not finishing them until late. I guarantee you of that, Maxie. And, since 39 of his 61 pro fights were ended by knockout inside the first six rounds, I'd say his rep for for not ending it against lesser fighters is a bit unfair. Also to account for, he isn't unprofessional, and he knows a 6'6, 240-something pound body doesn't run on fumes, so on the off chance that he isn't superman and wouldn't actually be able to stop every top-ranked heavyweight to step in the ring with him, and do it early, he might need some energy to go late. That's professional thinking. That shouldn't be a strike against him, should it?

 

around 15

 

There have been much stronger eras. But I got him in the lower end of 10, Maybe 10-15 at farest,

 

Sorry BE, I would defer to your boxing knowledge on most occasions but I think you're being blinkered here. The first 30 or so fights of Wlads career were against outright tomato cans. His early KO rate in his new reincarnated form is abysmally low, propped up by a 4th round KO of a Mormeck that you can't seriously tell me the likes of Ali, Foreman, Lewis, etc would not have disposed of in time for the second bell.

I get your point about the Bonecrusher Smith's and the spoilers of the world, but that's one fighter, Wlad grinding out wins against B level fighters is his MO.

Besides, Wlad's inability to knock people out early is only one of many gripes about him. He's just too damn awful to watch for starters.

 

No, he wasn't. 4 years later, he went on to school Ray Mercer. The fight after, he gave Holyfield a good bout. Years down the line he had a good fight with McCall.

I don't think Holmes was ever shot like Holyfield is now. He just became very old but he was never shot.

 

I rank Wladimir Klitschko barely in my Top10.

He has gone 8 years unbeaten. That's a great run. Only Marciano, Jeffries, Louis, and Holmes, had a longer unbeaten streak. Wlad's dominance is impressive. More than 6 years as the man of the heavyweight division. Only Holmes, Dempsey and Louis had longer reigns. I think in one year Wlad will beat Dempsey and Louis. Wlad has defended the title 12 times; only Louis and Holmes did it more.

Overall, Wlad has impressive statistics on a mediocre era. This ain't the 60s, 70s, or 90s, but it's pretty average when compared to other decades.

But imo he won't climb higher because of his early loses. Holmes had a similar career where he dominated a mediocre era. But the difference is that Holmes was unbeaten until he was old. That's why he is Top4 and Wlad is slightly Top10.

 

As everyone knows I'm a big fan of Wladimir but I still have him barely outside the Top 10. He crashes in if and when he unifies the last belt with all of his. I've said it for awhile now, Vitali continuing to fight is starting to be bad for Wlad's legacy because WK doesn't have that WBC strap in his collection.

 

Lets see

Things in favour of his case:

Long unbeaten run
Dominance over an era
matches up well h2h against numerous greats

Things against his case:

Bad losses during his athletic prime
In a poor era of heavyweights
lacking a signature win against another great (again, not entirely his fault)
unappealing style

Overall in my opinion, its very very hard to put him in the top 15. Realistically he is 25-15. Could probably get as high as 12/13 if he continues to dominate. in my opinion, that is a legacy to be proud of. Being one of the 15-20 greatest heavyweights of ALL TIME. I'm sure Wlad is more than happy with that. So I don't get why some klit posters would see that as an insult or ''hate''

 

11-15 at the moment.

But who knows in the future, he still has a few years left & I think he can get in.

 

I have him at 22 right now.

His biggest problems.

-No major wins in his career
-While being on this great run of being undefeated he has not fought the second best fighter in his division in the last 7 years.
- Horrible KO losses in his career to horrible competition.
- Is cautious against fighter whom all time greats would annihilate.



Keith

 

If Larry Holmes is top 10 then Wlad is also.

 

I'd be interested to see a list of 20 better Heavyweights from all those that voted he's outside the top 20.

Don't hesitate folks, post 'em up.

 

Even if Wlad retired this year, the number of people considering him a top 10 ATG will only increase in the coming decades. This is the nature of heavyweight champs. People **** allover most top heavyweights till they're gone. The proportion now, while still strong, will be under-representative.

 

Was Tyson's loss to Douglas a "horrible loss to horrible competition?" What about Lennox's losses to McCall & Rahman? At least be consistent........