Tyson and Ali were so controversial...unlike the klitschko's

the klitschkos are boring and nothing about them spells great. reluctant/safety first big men are not good for the sport. they are the cure for insomnia.

 

Lennox Lewis was much like the Klits.

 

You mention religion for Tyson, but not for Muhammad Ali? :think

 

I blame their opponents more than anything. They can fight, they don't have to be badasses outside the ring to prove anything, their just isnt a Tyson, Holyfield, Lewis, etc in this era to compete with them.

 

if anything that works in their favour, Ali and Tyson had to overcome tougher challenges outside the ring

 

Exept much better

 

The problem is that the Klits (Wlad moreso than Vit) are too polite and dignified in the ring as well.
Putting up chess matches, jab-fests and distance controls in the ring all night while holding all the advantages in all areas. Against this type of opponents more bad-intentions are expected.

The previous champs displayed more bad intentions against lesser opponents. While the Klits look scared against even lesser opponents.

How can you be stronger, faster, bigger, more fit than your opponent...and still take no risk at all in displaying even the slightest bad intention in the ring.

 

You can add Holyfield, Marciano, Louis and Dempsey to the list of great heavyweight fighters that were not controversial.

 

I prefer controversy.

 

They stand alone in the ambition and discipline they have shown over their lives from the combination of their achievements in the ring, and also having advanced degrees.......not to mention their extensive charity work where they use their position to show compassion for the less fortunate....


They are true assets to the sport.

 

And that is compared to the segregated south how? In the soviet system they would have been treated preferably given their status as athletes.

And you forgot some great heavies like Marciano, Dempsey, Larry Holmes, Smokin Joe, Big George, LL, Holyfield . . . etc. Most of whom were not controversial. While the bros have done a lot from where they came from.

Its not fair to compare the accomplishments of different people who have been raised in two different systems. While in the west the underclass and people of colour were systemically filtered from higher education in the Soviet system (that has a world class education system) these types of barriers did not exist. and as I stated earlier given the status as athletes the bros had special treatment as soon as they had shown any type of potential.

IMO Larry Holmes and Big George have accomplished far more outside the ring (not to mention Ali's). Larry as a Business mogul and Big George made Millions in the business world. However, this comparison is not fair because the Larry and George are retired and have time to develop a life after boxing and also in the US there is even more opportunity to make a lot of money with some smart business moves (even more than in Germany).

Now I recognize that the Bros have done a lot of great things outside of the ring (especially with charity) so I am not trying to hate. but this is only another fanboy thread that tries to diminish the accomplishments of fighters in the past. If you take a deeper look at almost every great heavyweight has accomplished great things in and out of the ring (some more controversial than others).:deal

 

:good love it