So, what does this do for Vitali's legacy?

A performance for the ages, indeed.

 

Vitali Klitschko got busted up and stopped by Lewis.

Vitali Klischko got TKO'd by the notoriously feather fisted Chris Byrd.

Vitali Klitschko has been done for roids.

Vitali Klitschko's best wins are against B level fighters at best.

 

If firmly puts him into a category of a top class heavyweight in any era. However realistically, I dont think he will ever be compared to the elite of the division, simply as he will never have wins against elite opponents on his record.

 

Whilst Vitali will never be as great as some of the fighters you mention (Joe Louis and Ali) but his size, awkwardness, power and durability would give all of them fits and Ali aside I can't see how any of them could beat Vitali, quite honestly.

He stops all of them except for the first incarnation of Ali. If Golota can give Bowe hell in 2 fights what do you think Vitali, a bigger, stronger, more powerful version, can do? Joe Louis is the greatest heavyweight of all time but Vitali would stop him early.

 

A true hater......Roids were as an amature, when dr. perscribed in Russia.
Yep I watched the Byrd fight, and had been ever so surprised, that Vittili could fight for 7-8 rounds with a torn rotor cuff.....yet no one insistes a quarterback play and throw if he had a torn rotor cuff.

Everyone fights lots of B fighters...., except a Louis who after cleaning out the division, as a contender had to fight who ever was left over, it was just that he made good fighers look bad.

One must realize half of Ali's and half of Holms title fights were against B level fighters........There are not all that many A level fighers out there at any one time.

Today it is very hard to get a fight with a A level fighter in that you have 4 major belts and often 4 different A level fighters holding them...


How many of the "top ten" heavies in your opinion are "A" level fighters today?

 

Best win so far and has the be regarded as a very special win. Not matter what, Sam was the legitimate no2 in the division and and old, many times injured and 4 years out of the ring Vitali beat him brutally one-sided...

ATG? Perhaps if you combine both Klitschko's resume without Wowa's losses... but still, for ATG status you need to beat very good competition. The division lacks HOF competition and that a big problem...

Maybe a fight between the two can change that but it's not going to happen...


Very simply: being brothers is the biggest set-back for the Klitschkos... the best potential fight and the fight for the undisputed title since Lewis-Holyfield between the two best fighters since Lewis is a fight definitely not going to happen...

 

:good

 

What he did can't be ignored no matter what everyone thinks of Sam Peter, Peter isn't a joke and was rated #2 yet Vitali still fought him with 4 years off from serious injuries. The way Vitali fights always proves he would be dangerous for anyone, the way he fought Peter confirms it even more.

It's definitely fair to say that Vitali would give anyone he fights a tough night.

 

I honestly think that if Vitali decides to stay in the game until he's 40 and stays active, he could become an ATG, assuming that he stays healthy!!

 

I have seen all of Vitali's fights, he is much better than most fans know. He is awesome.

 

I agree...I believe he is the most resourceful and intelligent heavyweight of our time!!