Wlad Klitschko's future and his legasy

If he was to come out on top after going through all of those then he breaks the top 5. That's a huge ask though and time isn't on his side.

 

As far as legacy, his championship reign is higher in quality than Johnson's, Dempsey's, Marciano's, Liston's, Foreman's and Bowe's.

I will give Johnson a slight pass because he fought so many good fighters before his title shot, tho would we give much credit to Wlad for fighting a 154 pound Landford?

 

agree with the bulk of the thread: if he continues his consistency, he's a possible top 5. frankly the people that don't like him (and don't rate him) now aren't likely to rate him any higher no matter what he does. as boxed ears noted, the best thing that could help is if his victims actually do something POST klitschko and make their names bigger and his resume better as a result. as it stands, too many guys (ie: calvin brock) are big what ifs, that COULD have been good heavyweights and solid scalps but that were destroyed/retired after they lost

btw: it's funny the amount of flak that wlad gets on here still, but a guy like golota without a single notable victory still makes his way into fantasy threads etc as some amazing, underappreciated h2h force

 

You're not wrong, though not every great has benefited from having an older brother to wipe up the milk they spilt.

 

What will happen after the Klits retire?

 

We had better pray that somebody outstanding emerges quickly.

Otherwise we are going to get a changing of the guard like in the 1930s, only worse.

 

There are some exciting talents around. The problem is getting them in the ring against each other more often. That would also help all involved to develop and hone their games.

Or am I being too optimistic?

Regardless, it couldn't hurt to have the elite group fighting each other more often rather than making a mockery of the division by sitting on the sidelines and pot shotting via the media... I am looking at you, Mr. Haye.

 

That's true. Johnson didn't avenge his losses to Choynsky and Hart, Tyson didn't rematch Douglas, Frazier didn't avenge the Foreman loss, etc. Then there are many greats that did: Louis, Ali, Lennox, Holyfield, etc.. and then there are a few who never lost at all: Marciano, Jeffries, Tunney.

What many people seem to forget is that Wlad did push for an immediate rematch, which Sanders refused. So, The Sniper got stripped, but was offered the opportunity to fight for Vitali's WBC strap instead. After that, Wlad fought Brewster for the now vacant WBO title.

If Wlad doesn't lose again, he'll probably make the top10 after a few years of the usual retiredness-inflation. If he can rack up a win over Povetkin, an easy defence, and another significant opponent like one off Pulev/Glazkov/Fury/Price/Helenius/Wilder, then he's pretty certain to make top10 and perhaps some people's top5, depending on criteria.

A high ranking of Wlad will always be somewhat controversial, because he looked so vulnerable in his losses, yet so convincing in his other fights. I don't think there's ever been a heavyweight that's lost so few rounds against ranked opposition, consistently.

 

Same as RJJ's, He's a bum always has been always will be...And he will be forgotten

 

His next 5 fights need to be excellent so he can rank in my Top5.

We also have to ask a question: Will he fight 5 more times or retire first? Seeing Vitali fighting post-40 gives us a clue that Wlad might also take that path (especially if he sees that physically everything is alright).

But I'm impressed by his dominance. He is 36 and, after 16 years of pro boxing, the way his body has preserved is also surprising. His unbeaten streak (since 2004) has been longer than Marciano's whole career.

I think 2013 will be an important year for Klitschko. He has the chance to rematch Haye or fight Povetkin and Pulev (good contenders). If he reaches August, his reign will become the second longest after Joe Louis.

 

Good point.

 

If only greatness was evaluated by how many bums you can beat on the trott , he'd be laughing, unfortunately its not.

 

When his victims are expected to take fights in order for him to look better, it shows how weak he and his CV really is.

 

The people that say this coward could be top 5 must be on crack. He is not even top 30.

 

You're being too optimistic.
Look at the state of it. What happened in 2012 ?
What were the most meaningful HWs fights of the year ?

Sadly, and to be fair to Haye, his win over journeyman Chisora in the 'unsanctioned grudge fight' might be the best HW win of the year.

What else was there ?
Three Wlad mismatches. Vitali being extended by Chisora.
Adamek beating a broken-handed Chambers, and getting a gift against Steve Cunningham.
Povetkin getting a gift against Huck and then beating up Hasim Rahman, who was shot to **** 5 years ago !
That's it.