Which heavyweight you rank higher ATG, Vitali Klitschko or Riddick Bowe

Vitali. Longer more successful career with more accolades. Bowe was a flash in the pan that was out of the game by 29.

 

Great question McGrain. Depending on your taste a case can be made for either.

I suspect Bowe will get a lot of love on this thread but I pick Vitali. Greater longevity, didn't avoid his ultimate challenge as Bowe did with Lewis (there I said it & will probably get destroyed for saying so, but hey, it's my opinion!) and I think better h2h.

 

This is true; VK did not become the legit HW champion, but his argument & that of his supporters would be that he didn't get the opportunity to rematch Lewis when he probably deserved one; his supporters would also argue that given the rematch he would have become lineal champ. The latter is not a view that I share but I can see the pov of those who believe this to be the case.

 

Greater longevity:huh How exactly?

His brother held that monopoly. Vitali just just fought non-rankers from one organization. He was just a belt-holder by way of tag-teaming the division.

Plus he spet most of it on the couch , refusing for over a year to fight Rahman.

Bowe was two time undisputed HW champion of the world.

Its no contest that Bowe was greater. Vitali fought nobody.

 

Head to head, best for best?

I think quite possibly Bowe would lose; I think Vitali, the potential for cuts notwithstanding, might outlast Bowe. We have to take on trust whether Bowe could hang with an elite SHW the way he did with Evander, my $ 0.02 for what it's worth. The Vitali who fought Lewis would be a nightmare for Riddick I believe. A big, determined, durable strong guy who could likely take Bowe's shots and come back at him...not a fight I think Bowe would fancy...and I know my last comment there goes against conventional wisdom.

 

If you really have to ask that question, just look at the age that both men retired at.
Not true and not true. Typical nonfactual, bias anti Klitschko post from you.

 

How? See above posts.

Re avoidance of opposition...Bowe doesn't come out of that subject unscathed.

2 time UNDISPUTED? Are you sure Dino?

Bowe...Holyfield...Moorer...Foreman...

Fought nobody? For a start VK fought Lewis whom Bowe avoided...

 

At Vitali's very best he lost to the worst version Lewis.

Prime Bowe was 100 times better than that Lewis who really looked like a buffoon , rushing in with no method to his work at all.

Prime Golota was a lot better than Vitali in terms of jab, head movement, punch selection and upper body mobility. Vitali isn't elusive and was easily hit with jabs by Lewis.
The success Golota had against the Bowe who was on his way out does not equal Vitali having the same success against prime Bowe which Fuch in is corner.

Vitali kept his chim out in the air , his hands low and pulled straight back. He couldn't possibly avoid Bowe's jab and long right hand.

 

Sock it Heavyweight Blog. You blew your disguise long ago.