I've seen a lot of discussion about Vitali Klitschko lately...

his resume was better than some give it credit for and he would certainly be a head to head nightmare for a lot of good heavyweights. I think the only issue that some people have ( myself included ) is when the memory of his match with Lennox Lewis is structurally revised to make it appear as though Vitali got shafted and furthermore that Lewis ducked him.. Lewis fought Vitali... Lewis beat Vitali.. And after several months of considereation, Lewis retired rather than to rematch Vitali.. None of these things should amount to Lewis losing to Vitali or ducking Vitali. That said, Vitali Klitscko had an admirable career and should be given a live chance against a number of greats.

 

All correct points.

In addition he took 4+ years off from the ring, and took his title back without any warm up fights at age 37! No one has done this.

I'll match his rounds won vs. round lost ratio to anyone in the history of the ring! In fact Ali and Holmes lost more rounds to lesser men than Vitali did in his entire career. Vitali was the hardest man to out box period, and its not just because of his size. He had good punch anticipation, defensive head movement, fast feet for a big man, and could land at awkward angles.

In addition, I believe he was the most avoided heavyweight int he past 15 years. Lewis backed out of a re-match. Valuev and Haye backed out of fights.

Both of his losses are fights he took on short notice with an injury and cut, NOT punches being the reason for the loss.

 

On his best day he still got sliced to ribbons against a fat Lewis.

He, like his brother, hasn't even got a signature win. As soon as people mention his best performance it's where he got mauled to death by Lennox.

I've never rated him.

Tough? Yes, to an extent. He did quit against Byrd, remember. But being in a weak era makes him look better than he really is, IMO.

Holmes would have a field day with his aggression.

Foreman, man, it'd be like Christmas for him!

He wouldn't land a glove on a prime Tyson.

I'd struggle to pick him against Wlad on his best day.

 

Brixton, Lewis said he was in fine shape and might be around a while longer before the fight.

The fact is Vitali made Lewis ( Age 37 ) look bad. Even Lewis said this. Stop trolling.

 

In many cases Vitali stopped his man the 1st or 2nd fastest. That is impressive.

 

Donald was two months shy of his 36th birthday and only a handful of fights away from the end of his career. Kinda worth mentioning.

 

A cut that's caused by a punch still counts as a punch being the reason for the loss

 

Ancient versions of Holy and Ruiz took Valuev the distance and could have gotten the decision as well. Evander had no power left and was basically finished. And Donald had nothing to hurt Vitali with either. Vitali had some good wins but stopping Donald at age 36 shouldn't be listed among them.

 

I saw the Donald and Valuev fight. Donald was should have won it.

Donald was only stopped once in 50 fights. Vitali did it. In fact I think Vitali was the only man to floor Donald and he did it 4 times.

Other guys who can hit in Bowe, Povetkin, Valuev, K Johnson, and B Cooper could not floor Donald.

 

It amazes me as to the difficulty some have understanding this rather basic concept.

And it wasn't like Vitali was cut only once.

He was cut above the eye, below the eye and his lip was pretty much split open.

I remember one of the commentators talking about ramification of Vitali swallowing blood.

 

Was it a clear cut by a clean punch, or was there a back hand with laces and a possible clash of heads in the clinch right after?

Video is below.

[url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtdOteT5G0Q[/url]