Boxing Experts Blog - Boxing

Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:15 am EDT

Is Vitali Klitschko really unbeatable?

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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  1. Mangler
    1. Posted by Mangler Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:53 am EDT

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    The Klitschko brother won't fight each other but i don't think they are unbeatable. They have both lost before but there doesn't seem to be a heavyweight out there that can challenge them. The lighter divisions are more exiciting. It wouldn't matter if they were Americans because their fights aren't exciting. I don't blame them for how they fight but the best heavyweight match out there is against each other. Mangler Out
  2. K NEL
    2. Posted by K NEL Tue Sep 29, 2009 9:25 am EDT

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    I agree with you Mangler. They definitely not unbeatable but there's nobody to challenge them right now. I actually like their fights though. They put on boxing clinics and a good champions. I don't think the division is better then it was 5 years ago though.
  3. Mangler
    3. Posted by Mangler Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:21 am EDT

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    Knel I don't mind a boxing clinic now and then, but the Lewis/Klitscho fight was great because there was some drama and you didn't know who was going to win.On a boxing card of 3-4 fights, 1-2 clinics is enough. Mangler out
  4. K NEL
    4. Posted by K NEL Tue Sep 29, 2009 10:51 am EDT

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    Mangler I remember the Lewis - Klitschko fight as well. I must say..I haven't seen a heavyweight fight that entertaining since. Vitali was finally coming on when the fight was stopped. I think what you just said is what is wrong with some of the cards we get. We either get a card full of boxers or a card full of fighters. If there was a good mixture of both I think boxing could reel in more fans as a whole. I really wish there was enough money around to put 2 or 3 mega fights on one card. that would be awesome but we know it would never happen.
  5. .
    5. Posted by . Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:17 am EDT

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    I do agree with the last statement in the blog......Vitali does seem like the better & more versitile fighter of the two brothers. Better chin too. Seriously doubt he'll be defeated before he retires. A Lewis re-match would have been great to see but too late for that now.
  6. K NEL
    6. Posted by K NEL Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:36 am EDT

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    Dot- you think so? iono I can't really pick a brother that I like best. If I had to though I think I'd go with Wladimir I know his chin is questionable but he seems like the more athletic brother and his jab is devastating. I still think Winky Wright has the best jab in the business but Wladimir and Vitali's is right there with his.
  7. .
    7. Posted by . Tue Sep 29, 2009 12:18 pm EDT

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    I think so, Wladimir is definately more athletic but if there ever were a fight between the two (which will never happen)......I'd still go with Vitali. I just think he's tougher & smarter. Wladimir also thought Arreola would be a tough challenge for his brother, while Vitali remained very confident. I just don't think he second guesses himself & that's what maybe sets them apart. It's close, but we'll never know for sure.
  8. K NEL
    8. Posted by K NEL Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:38 pm EDT

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    I think you're right with that last post. I just like how they both work off the jab. But at times Wladimir sticks with the jab far too long instead of hooking or uppercutting off of it. Vitali does a better job from that stand point for sure
  9. cyg
    9. Posted by cyg Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:22 pm EDT

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    "they're not unbeatable but there's no one to challenge them right now"? That's what unbeatable means. There's no one who can currently defeat them. So according to your logic, they can be beat but no one can beat them. Wow.
  10. banana_split_orig
    10. Posted by banana_split_orig Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:28 pm EDT

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    Every boxer is beatable. Its how they will be beaten is the question. For Vitali, how? Its true Bowe, will give Vitali and Lewis hell. But will never know. Golota gave Bowe a headache. I'll go with Vitali over the bro. too. His more scarry than the brother Wladimir. If only Tyson was young again, will see more fireworks. KO 101. So maybe Cris can understand thouroughly.
  11. lambie
    11. Posted by lambie Tue Sep 29, 2009 5:42 pm EDT

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    vitali is better than wladimire at taking a punch and his defense is crazy(hands always down) but it works for him. wlad is a better athlete and more skill than vit. but vit would destroy wlad. no not unbeatable but right now no one can beat him or wlad. arreola should of known better but he got a big $$$$ definatly sold himself out.
  12. Bohdan I
    12. Posted by Bohdan I Tue Sep 29, 2009 7:54 pm EDT

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    Well...nobody is unbeatable! But they are the best right now! and they are Ukrainian so get your facts straight.
  13. MR.MVP
    13. Posted by MR.MVP Tue Sep 29, 2009 8:41 pm EDT

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    Vitali Klitschko isn’t unbeatable he could be defeated.. well maybe at the current time he is unbeatable there isn’t any Heavyweights quite ready for him.. I was hoping Arreola would develop a bit more before stepping up to any of the Klitschkos, but he had to learn his lesson the hard way..!!!! I can't blame him for taking that opportunity and making some good money..!!!
    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..
  14. Joseph
    14. Posted by Joseph Tue Sep 29, 2009 11:59 pm EDT

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    Eddie Chambers will beat Wladimir and would be Vitali if he fought him. Mark my words, Eddie Chambers will be the next American heavyweight champion. Speed, footwork, headmovement. Chambers lacks power, but he is a superb boxer for a big man. You will all see. Mark my words.
  15. Johnny
    15. Posted by Johnny Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:09 am EDT

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    ##who cares!!
  16. thoughtful
    16. Posted by thoughtful Wed Sep 30, 2009 3:19 am EDT

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    munching the same topic for months... Aren't you tired guys and AUTHORS? They are sure the best now, and yesterday, and tomorrow. Who cares what is going to happen the day after tomorrow? Which new stars will shine in the horizon? One thig is for sure the Klitchkos belog to the world heavyweight elite of the last century, and comparing who is better now is a grateless process, triggered by jealous inacceptance of non-US champios. Enjoy what you see. You are lucky to have seen Klitchkos at their prime, proving being the best against all the dirty odds of professional boxing mafia, you know who I am talking abot.
  17. joenamath54
    17. Posted by joenamath54 Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:04 am EDT

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    If vitali or wlad were fighting in the previous generation of hw's such as holyfield, bowe, tyson, and even lesser talented guys like tony tubbs he would not be having this kind of success. larry holmes is a hw who was so good he never got the cred he deserved. vitali and certainly wlad are not on that level. they are the product of a generally weak overall hw division at the moment. right place at the right time.. period. any tall, mobile hw with length and speed would beat either quitschko all day long. i dont care that they are non u.s. fighters. if you have a fighting iq, you can see it for what it is. vitali is solid fundamentally, and benefits from being tall and long. but his movement and speed are lacking. bowe, lewis, holyfield would of all gotten in his a$$ for days. arreola would be sparring partner material only for the three hw's i mentioned before. for once, i actually agree with cofield. and steve, why is slice getting into the ufc win or lose on tuf?? i thought dana had some nads and would stick by what he said?? i guess once he saw the interest in the tuf fight he couldn't deny the money factor. all promoters are whores. including your boy dana..
  18. joenamath54
    18. Posted by joenamath54 Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:09 am EDT

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    Actually lewis did get in his a$$. both in their prime and lewis takes either quitschko all day long. he had the height, length, and movement to beat them all day. lewis got ko'd but that is only due to laziness. he came back and whipped the ones that got lucky. that is a true champ. when he wanted, he was a polished hw in his prime. the quitschkos are a distant second. wlad was winning a fight and actually quit because he said his shoulder was sore... really?? that is not top notch hw material....
  19. Warmelito
    19. Posted by Warmelito Wed Sep 30, 2009 6:51 am EDT

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    No boxer is unbeatable! it depands to the challenger's preparation, dedication, discipline and perseverance to defeat the Klitschko brothers.
  20. sm3gol N
    20. Posted by sm3gol N Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:09 am EDT

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    Lewis only won because Vitali had a deep cut on top of his eyes due to a punch which connected with the inside part of Lewis's gloves. Otherwise at that stage, Vitali was leading on all three judges score card. Lews was saved from defeat from that lucky cut. Vitali's other lost was due to an injured shoulder which forced him to quit. So its fair to say that Vitali has always been unbeatable in boxing skills from the beginning of hs professional career.
  21. Jimmy
    21. Posted by Jimmy Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:48 am EDT

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    Nobody cares about the "boring klitchko", every one I know is talking about Shane Mosley vs. Mayweather.
    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.
  22. rjkd4f
    22. Posted by rjkd4f Wed Sep 30, 2009 1:36 pm EDT

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    They are clearly the best in the heavyweight division, but that doesn't make them unbeatable, it's always possible for a lesser fighter to win on any given night, but in the case of the Klitschkos it's pretty damn unlikely.
  23. Manav
    23. Posted by Manav Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:30 pm EDT

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    Chambers will go down like the rest of them. The height advantage with the solid jab is pretty much unstoppable against these smaller opponents. I can't see anybody out there challenging. I think the brothers fighting each other is so slowly becoming a possibility.
  24. garden_man80
    24. Posted by garden_man80 Wed Sep 30, 2009 2:44 pm EDT

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    I don't think they are unbeatable but there is NO one in the HW division that can touch them. I also don't blame them for not fighting each other. I have a 2 brothers & we train together a lot. While we are training we definitely go harder against each other than we do against anyone else. We have almost KOd each other on a couple of occassions. Will all that said there is no way I could imagine training to fight my brother. Plus they are super rich so money would not be an issue. Though I may could fight my brother for a few million, lol.
  25. boozinjedi
    25. Posted by boozinjedi Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:11 pm EDT

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    On the subject if the Klitschko brothers...the only true competition they have on the horizon is each other,BUT that will most likely never happen,the truth is that there are BOTH great technical fighters,boring as it may be they get the job done,the bleakness of the american hevayweight scene is all america's fault,any young athlete that could become a great fighter goes into either basketball,football,or even the rising scene of MMA.
    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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