You have to feel a bit sorry for the Klitshko brothers, they just can't win! Both are head and shoulders above the rest of the current Heavyweights (I mean in ability as well as size) Both have high KO percentages and both are treated like crap by many fans. Take the fight between Wlad and Hasim Rahman one of the biggest names (sadly) in the division. Wlad put on a show, and got Hasim out of there when the time was right. Of course the rock was old and shot, but then he has always relied on his punchers chance, which was still there on fight night. So Wlad get's no credit for that win, so who should he fight next? For my money there are only a handful of names that would create any interest in the boxing community, for various reasons, David Haye, Chris Arreola, David Tua and Alexander Povetkin. Tua has gone Awol, Arreola is not ready and Haye sadly does not have the chin to stay with either Klitshko. Sure Wlad is a bit chinny himsely but with his superior skill and reach he is 9 times out of 10 going to land the big bomb on Haye first. So my question to you is, what can Vitali and Wlad do to earn respect amongst the boxing fans?
Good question, I will try to answer it. My only mark against Vitali was the fact that he has postponed so many fights over the last couple years, screwing over fight fans and his oppenents alike. I have mad respect for Vitali, he's a tough fighter who dont mind trading shots with the best bangers the division has to offer. Wlad on the other hand is boring, fights scared at times, and has a very weak chinned when tested, which in this terrible division, it's almost never. I just want to see Wlad in a dogfight and not feel the need to panic or hit the canvas several times, thats all. He's winning fights and hasnt experienced any resistance since Peter in 05, he deserves some credit for his efforts, even though his oppenents are not always that good.
Brock was supposed to be good and a threat to Wlad, and Wlad creamed him. Austin fought a draw with Sultan, but wasn't close to being a match for Wlad. Tony Thompson must have been a mandatory by beating someone, and got beat up by Wlad. Brewster was supposed to repeat his earlier KO of Wlad, but got clobbered. All the haters of Wlad said that Byrd, this time (second fight), would get inside and beat up Wlad. That worked out real well for Byrd. The guys that Wlad gets no credit for beating all beat other contenders to get their shot. Heck, Byrd gave Povetkin a good fight but was no competition at all against Wlad. Rahman was a replacement. Wlad did not choose him as an opponent. It was supposed to be the mandatory challenger Povetkin. Does anyone really think Povetkin would have beaten Wlad? Unless Haye develops a chin, or lands a lucky bomb early, he may get KO'd by a jab. Arreola? Did anyone see his last fight? Wlad would annihilate him within two rounds. Actually, the only puncher that really hurt Wlad with a single shot was Corrie Sanders. Sanders was a very big puncher and a slugging southpaw that Wlad was not ready for. Haye might get lucky, but I don't think so. Now everyone that is down on Wlad is hanging their hopes on Haye; but when Haye gets KO'd, they will say "what is Wlad doing picking on a blown up cruiserweight?"
The lack of respect comes from their fighting styles. Myself, I don't care what style you fight with so long as there are KO's which both brothers deliver. I don't understand the opinions of a lot of boxing fans but this one has always baffled me. They're both great fighters and enjoy watching them.
No one in their right mind would say''what is Wlad doing picking on a blown up cruiserweight?". Who wouldn't have fought Haye after the way he's talked smack. I think Haye is far more of a threat than some Klitscho fans think.
