So Vitali Klitschko has retired. First thoughts on his historical ranking and legacy?

I think his active involvement and far more fights at heavyweight place him about as high or higher than Tunney. Was he truly an all time great heavy.. Probably not. Am I happy about his retirement? Yes. I think the division needs to move on, and he needs to get on with his life in another capacity.

 

Great for his but don't consider him ATG. All jokes aside I don't consider him to be much worse than Liston but I feel ATGs shouldn't be listed. Do people really think 50 guys from each weight would do great in every era? Sounds silly.

Back to Vitali I think its a bit too soon to judge his place now but even if he fights again(which I say wait 3-5 yrs after retirement) I don't see him losing. Guy retired on top which is rare and will do wonders for his place in history despite the weak competition he faced. Along with dominance.

I think the hvy division needs to somehow rebuild itself it's pathetic. Why I tend to stick with FW-MW nowadays. Better fights and much more talent spread out.

 

Probably a bit higher than Tunney, as in, a spot or two. Very dominant, nice longevity, a decent H2H threat. His resume is weak, but not to the degree that it should keep him out of the company of Tunney or Norton or Schmeling.

He's not great, but he's top 25 at the weight and could be argued inside the top 20 I'd say.

 

You could argue him into 21-25 if you've got pretty low standards IMO.

H2H a big, tough, 'roided up awkward monster who would be a tough out for ANYONE.

 

:scaredas:

Muhammad Tyson-hater!!!

 

top 25 is fair I believe

 

Number 22 all time. Had he fought and defeated David Haye at age 41 in his last fight, he would move into my top 15...Instead he chose to leave us with a disgraceful event in that soup sandwich of a fighter..Manuel Charr. Vitali was a big man with power in both fists, good chin, high workrate, awkward style, and had a lot of physical strength. He failed to defeat the best competition of his era, and left us fans on a terrible note in manuel charr. I won't miss him.

 

It would be nice if Wlad won the title off whoever wins the vacant WBC title and reigned as undisputed champion for a few years. Who will be fighting for it? Chris Arreola and Bermane Stiverne are 1 and 2 in the WBC ratings whatever that means!

 

He was beating the dog**** out of the guy in front of him until the ref/ring doctor stopped it. What more can he do - you want him to keep punching after the fight was stopped?

 

Vitali never tested positive as a pro.

But I expect you to be consistent and demote Roy Jones, Jr, Evander Holyfield and Shane Mosely... and of course Francois Botha.

 

Atm I think he's in my top 35 but i'd have to check.

With time i'll probably appreciate his comeback more as he did establish himself as the number 2 hw after a 4 year gap at age 37 or some **** like that and that's a great achievement.

H2H he left question marks didn't he. Outbrawled by a superheavy and outboxed by a standard heavy. Would give anyone a tough night but there's a lot i'd favour over him.

Where it not for Wlad he'd likely have been number 1 after coming back from injury.

With time i'll prob bump him up a few places but right now I wouldn't call him a great. To exemplify that a rerun of his fight with Charr was listed on sky, the description said "the legendary Vitali... " and my first reaction was to cringe. He had a lot of potential considering the circumstances of his career but I fear it's a case of coulda woulda shoulda.

 

It depends on criteria: legacy, H2H, longevity etc.

Legacy/resume/achievements - top 20, maybe top 15
H2H - top 15 maybe top 10
Longevity - top 10

Irrelevant, he tested positive as an amateur and Morrison a confessed roider never tested positive in the Pros

Steroids generally are a constant in the sport now, especially at HW, so I don't hold it against him too much.

Still it needs to be considered when comparing him to pre-90s boxers, I mean some will have roided before that but it really got mainstream in the 90s

 

Above Tunney.

Not great.

Top25 yes, not Top20 though. Great longevity, his comeback was ATG stuff, lacking resume and never THE champ on the other side. Seems to be a threat for nearly everybody but was never able to really prove it. His loss to Lewis gives us some hints though.

Both. Broken hearted because I liked watching his fights, celebrating because now Wlad can unify ALL belts.