The Klitschkos Brothers Legacy

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by andrewa1, May 2, 2017.


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  1. andrewa1

    andrewa1 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    With the Klitschkos era ending, I've come to the conclusion that you can't entirely separate them in evaluating their legacy. Except for the occasional nut job, they are universally recognized as the two best HWs over an extended era of boxing.

    That said, so many of the arguments about them, in one form or another, turn on the fact that they never faced each other.

    Wlad beat MANY more top fighters. But Vitali arguably had the two best wins, took fewer and better losses, and his performances against the same competition was better, so many consider him the better brother.

    To a great extent, both are simultaneously punished, and rewarded, for the fact that they never faced each other. Punished because there are credible arguments that each was the best of the era, and thus credible arguments that each was second best.

    Both may be remembered more for close losses to atgs(speculative, but likely in ajs case unless he collapses) than any single win. However, this is not uncommon historically, as Johnson, Dempsey, and other atgs were missing truly signature wins and many atgs are known more for a loss than a win.

    If Lennox started the SHW era and the more international era in boxing, the K's took both trends to another level.

    Legacy is different from H2h, but both would likely be top 5 h2h hws in history.

    Encapsulating the career of both would make arguably a top 5 at legacy, for all the dominance and impact they've had. Being the second best of the era would drop them closer to twenty.

    For me, I think it's fitting to rank them together, right at #10 all time. Where do you rank them?
     
    andrewa1, May 2, 2017
    andrewa1, May 2, 2017
    #1
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  2. On The Money

    On The Money Dangerous Journeyman Full Member

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    I'm waiting until I hear Wlad is officially retired before closing the book.
     
    On The Money, May 2, 2017
    On The Money, May 2, 2017
    #2
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  3. andrewa1

    andrewa1 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Fair enough. I'm just hoping he retires. I can't see him taking another fight besides Joshua, and I can't see him winning the rematch. Would hate for him to go out on a worse note than this one.
     
    andrewa1, May 2, 2017
    andrewa1, May 2, 2017
    #3
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  4. lewis gassed

    lewis gassed The Bronze Dosser Full Member

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    Wlad probably at top 15-20, Vitali lower than that but he left a lot in kickboxing, those injuries really derailed his boxing career.
     
    lewis gassed, May 2, 2017
    lewis gassed, May 2, 2017
    #4
  5. andrewa1

    andrewa1 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Anyone else? Where do you rank the k brothers?
     
    andrewa1, May 3, 2017
    andrewa1, May 3, 2017
    #5
  6. mafioso

    mafioso Well-Known Member Full Member

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    i think vitaly was better but wlad was more active and accomplished more
     
    mafioso, May 3, 2017
    mafioso, May 3, 2017
    #6
  7. Okin129

    Okin129 ... Full Member

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    Vitali is a top 15 ATG resume and top 5 h2h.

    Wlad is a top 5 ATG resume and top 5 h2h.

    Wladimir has still a lot left, he is not 41 years old biologically, he is a physical specimen, maybe he can be champion again, if he doesn't retire. I think he could still compete 5 years at the top level.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2017
    Okin129, May 3, 2017
    Okin129, May 3, 2017
    #7
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  8. LondonRingRules

    LondonRingRules Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Wlad will be remembered as a top 10 ATG heavyweight who dominated his era. Vitali will be remembered as a h2h monster and probably top 20 heavyweight.

    I really hope Wlad retires now, there is nothing left for him to prove. There's no one around who will improve his legacy apart from a Joshua win, and with the experience AJ gained in the first fight I don't see it happening. Never has his stock been higher, I hope he keeps it that way and goes out with everyone remembering him being in one of the best heavyweight title fights ever.
     
    LondonRingRules, May 3, 2017
    LondonRingRules, May 3, 2017
    #8
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  9. Liquid Fire

    Liquid Fire Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    I rank them as the best of there era which is the only ranking they can really have just like any HW ever! All time rankings are just personal opinion. Subjective guff.. They mean nothing! Trans generational era comparisons are flawed because they are just speculation. What matters is how good you are in your time & the Klitschkos dominated with WK being the standout due to Vitalis injuries in & out of the ring that plagued his career & legacy.
     
    Liquid Fire, May 3, 2017
    Liquid Fire, May 3, 2017
    #9
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  10. andrewa1

    andrewa1 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Anyone else on their legacy, jointly or separately?
     
    andrewa1, May 3, 2017
    andrewa1, May 3, 2017
    #10
  11. Heavyrighthand

    Heavyrighthand Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Same here. I think he may rematch Joshua
     
    Heavyrighthand, May 3, 2017
    Heavyrighthand, May 3, 2017
    #11
  12. madballster

    madballster Loyal Member Full Member

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    I think Wlad belongs around the top 10 position give or a take a couple places. Vitali's resume isn't as good and he was plagued by injuries and layoffs that probably cost him 5-10 spots vs. Wlad.
     
    madballster, May 3, 2017
    madballster, May 3, 2017
    #12
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  13. kirk

    kirk l l l Staff Member

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    Good post andrew
     
    kirk, May 3, 2017
    kirk, May 3, 2017
    #13
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  14. khaosai galaxi

    khaosai galaxi Superbad Full Member

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    Wlad in top 10
    Vitali in top 20
     
    khaosai galaxi, May 3, 2017
    khaosai galaxi, May 3, 2017
    #14
  15. Heavyrighthand

    Heavyrighthand Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Vitali seems more dominant overall but there were far fewer good opponents on his resume , mainly due to the injuries that sideline him


    the sheer quantity of top 10 undefeated legitimate contenders and titleholders that Wlad steamrolled over 10 plus years ....it's hard to refute putting him above Vitali

    Vlad running the entire ****ing show for 10+ years went down in history as one of the longest reigns in heavyweight title history as I understand it
     
    Heavyrighthand, May 3, 2017
    Heavyrighthand, May 3, 2017
    #15
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