The Case for Vitali Klitschko for Top 10 All time

He fought poor opposition and beat nobody of note.

 

Well Khan was on his way to beating Garcia 2 rounds into the fight. Does anybody give Khan a victory for that fight?

Peter was very good, but hardly the type to get you into a top ten atg list.

Sorry. Wladmir ranks much higher its not even funny.

 

there isn't one.

 

H2H you could probably make a case for Vits.

 

A more detailed case.

For openers, it's possible to rip anyone competition. So rather than rip them ( I could even rip Ali's ) let's remain positive and compare his accomplishments to the field.

Vitali always fought heavyweights and only faced one opponent with a losing record when he fought him. He became a world title holder in less than three years and never used a color line.

Ratings can be viewed head to head, or via accomplishments.

Head to head, he likely beats anyone pre-Sonny Liston, and could beat anyone post Liston.


Accomplishments:

Best rounds won to rounds lost ratio, not only in the history of heavyweights but among all boxing champions. Towering above Ali or Holmes on the score cards, who in fact lost more rounds to lesser men than Vitali defeated. Vitali combined power, size, smarts, defense, counterpunching, and ring generalship to the maximum by engaging his opponents and forcing them to fight on his terms. Vitali never trailed on any scorecard after three rounds, and never lost more than three consensus rounds in any fight. This includes fight where he was injured ( Byrd and Chisora ).


Never floored by a punch. Ever. Vitali and Oliver Mcall are the only two in the history of the division never to be floored by a punch, and Vitali fought plenty of punchers who landed hard to test his chin/durability

One of the best knock artists of all time, with 87% KO ratio. It went down a little with age, and so would any champions.

One of the most active heavyweights on the punch stats, comparing to Marciano or Frazier's activity level.

**So far we are talking about a guy who was incredibly difficult to outbox, was never floored who had the power and stamina to stop anyone early or late.**

An all time come back. Which boxer came back four years out of the ring, and no warm up fights not only to take his title back but to win nine title defenses in a row at age 37-41. The answer is zero.


14-2 in world title matches, fought approximately 16 opponents ( give or take 1 ) who were ranked in Ring Magazine's top ten. Valuev and Haye, who were highly rated backed out of fights with Vitali


Ring Magazine champion #1 at Box Rec, fight news and EPSN

Both of his losses are on fights that were taken on less than two weeks notices.

One was an injury retirement when Vitali a sports doctor lost feeling in his arm and feared permanent injury from a shoulder tear. He was well in the lead, fighting with essentially one good arm from round three to nine vs a prime Chris Byrd.

The other loss was vs Lennox Lewis a very good older fighter and lineal champion. This was a cuts loss. There is video proof that Lewis landed a back hard to the area where the cut was, which could have caused the cut. He also rubbed the top of his head into Vitali's region of the cut after the backhand landed. We'll never know exactly when the cut was created. Vitali lead 4-2 on all three cards, which means Lewis who was very tired would have to win 4 of the next 6 rounds on at least two cards to get a draw. Lewis said he would rematch several times but never did. This is very telling as there was 17-18 million purse for Lewis. The truth is Lewis likely felt he was fortunate in the first fight and would have lost the re-match. I never saw a cut title match loss where the guy in the lead never had a re-match, have you?

I'll close here. Re-matches are important. Vitali was denied his chance to avenge his losses.

What if Schmeling never re-matches Louis and didn't get a chance to face Braddock early in his career?

What if Fraizer and Norton never re-matched Ali?!

What if Rahman and McCall never Re-matches Lewis?!

I'll tell you what would happen, neither Louis or Ali would be rated #1 and #2 today. And Lewis ranking would have tumbled. Personally, I rate Ali #1 overall, and both Louis and Lewis in my top 6.

Any sane boxing fans know Vitali would have beaten Byrd if there was a re-match.

Top 10 for sure, and I predict his standing will go up a bit as time passes.

 

Not for me.

He's bloody close though.

Top 15 lock imo.

But great big guys can walk him down imo, great little guys can beat him inside.if you aren't great you aren't beating him imo.

 

He was the second best of his era. That's the best compliment that can be paid to him.

Vitali H2H is formidable, but his legacy leaves something to be desired.

 

Was he the second best? Vitali ripped apart those who beat Wlad or gave him a tough time in Peter, Sanders and Purrity. Is there anyone Wlad beat that you would pick to beat Vitali?

He ( Vitali ) made everyone look bad, including Lewis.

 

Question, which little guy proved he can beat him inside? None. Vitali did face two former name cruisers in Hide and Norris. They lasted a combined three rounds.

Vitali also fought Adamek, who was rated #3 at the time. He did not win one round.

Vitali could move quickly around the ring, and had the ability to throw and land from awkward angles which would make it hard for the smaller guy to engage. In addition, he had decent head movement, reflexes and punch anticipation, and could make a man miss. He also could throw body shots or uppercuts if needed in closer quarters.

What you're saying hasn't been proven.

 

So this is the #1 reason why Vitali should be ranked within the top 10?

Primo Carmera's highest amount of KO's in boxing history (71) is a greater statistic. Does he have a case for a top 10 ranking based on that?

False. He was a title holder. He fought for the HW Championship and lost.
A passing of the guard fight , in which Vitali was one of the very few in history to come out the loser .

That doesn't make you a top 10 ATG.

Greats can pull victories out of the bag even while injured. Non - greats quit in the corner against under sized , pillow puff punchers.

You have no case here. None.