Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:15 am EDT
It's a perplexing time in the heavyweight division. Some say it's the worst it's ever been and there is zero talent. Others say the talent is there but because it's not American, we U.S. boxing fans ignore it. Then there's CBC writer Chris Iorfida who says Vitali Klitschko is unbeatable and may be the best heavyweight since Mike Tyson. Youza!
Sure, Lewis was a better overall fighter than Klitschko, but there was always a healthy dollop of vulnerability. We saw early on that his chin could be reached, and that threat never really left, even against someone like Shannon Briggs. The Canadian also compounded matters by not always showing up in top-notch shape.
Klitschko gave Lewis a run for his money but in the end an old Lewis shredded the Russian's face and forced a stoppage. In general, he put his punches together much better. And most importantly, Lewis (38-2, 37 KOs) faced much better competition than Klitschko. "Dr. Ironfist" is a solid fighter and his defensive abilities defy logic, but let's not gloss over the fact that this rebirth at 38 has come against Chris Arreola, Juan Carlos Gomez and Sam Peter.
While we're at it, is 38-year-old Vitali even the best Klitschko? Iorfida says so:
Yes, younger brother Wladimir is also a heavyweight titleholder with several defences under his belt, but he's been knocked out twice and doesn't have the "It" factor Vitali does. Wladimir has scored some great KOs, but too often his game plan is mechanical.
Iorfida also says the heavyweight picture is better now than it was five years ago. That's a tough call to make especially since it looks like both Klitschkos have run out of worthy opponents. The good news is Oliver McCall is fighting Lance Whitaker next month in Las Vegas. Kidding. It's no knock on the Klitschkos. They may be all-timers for all we know, it's just tough to gauge what they've done considering the competition.
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51 Comments
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I would like to see the Klitschkos complete their goal of uniting the 4 Major titles between them by obtaining the final major title the WBA held by Nicolay Valuev..
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Mayweather is clearly afraid of Shane. "Money" may have all the money, but he'll never have the respect of the fans.
Until he (Mayweather) fights a true welterweight champion.
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And to the Mayweather comments on this thread...For Floyd to regain his P4P crown..HE MUST FIGHT MANNY!!
When a fighter walks away from the ring,any titles real or piverbial..STAY IN THE RING!!! Manny came along,picked up the ball and ran with it.
A Floyd/Manny OR a Floyd/Shane bout would be amazing!!
It would generate tons of money and interest..and Floyd might even win them,but NO ONE IS UNBEATABLE FOREVER!!
And as long as Floyd flaunts his"look at me" ways and lifestyle....he will never be truly accepted by the fans as a whole,they respect his ablities BUT they'll never connect with and respect him on a personal level....like the way Hatton's fans have damn near adopted him as one of their own.
It has gotten to the point where that if/when Floyd is beaten in the ring....that man will elevated,loved and revered to almost GOD-LIKE STATUS!!
And you ask how big????
Remember how huge,big Sugar Ray Leonard was loved before his 1st retirement back in the late 70's/early 80's??
Close to that OR EVEN BIGGER!!
And as much as Floyd denies it,deep down he's always wanted that!!
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