10.04.04 – By Izyaslav “Slava” Koza – Novirasputin@hotmail.com – Ever since this fight was first made, it seems the agenda of the boxing community is to make Lamon Brewster feel lower then dirt. Quotes like “Brewster is a bum” and “I told you, Klitschko is worthless” have become all too routine in boxing chat rooms.
In my opinion, sure Brewster isn’t the best opponent out there, but what exactly is wrong with him?
He is unquestionably below Vlad’s level, in that he lost to an opponent Vlad blew out (Shufford), but with the amount of skill the younger brother has shown in handling IBF champion Chris Byrd, and never before stopped or dropped Ray Mercer, who really is? I remember a time when people were getting on Roy Jones’s case for not fighting the best in the division, and then as soon as you asked them who they wanted him to fight, an eerie silence entered the room. Michelzewski? Wasn’t he the guy battered by a Julio Gonzalez, who had previously been a victim of Jones?
If Wladimir Klitschko didn’t receive so much press, would anyone really get on his case for fighting Brewster? Also, if I am not mistaken, Brewster was ranked in such a way so as to force this match anyways. I think that if every fighter in boxing today fought their mandatory #1 challenger, the sport would be much better off. Besides, who is really out there for Wlad to fight? Most of the top heavyweights are fighting each other this month, and then there is who? An overweight Rahman? Perhaps David Tua? Toney is out with an injury, and Joe Mesi had a life threatening concussion, courtesy of the savage beating Vasili Jirov inflicted upon him in the tenth round of their fight. I know, maybe we should bring Ike “The President” Ibeabutchi out of prison?
Face it, Brewster may not be the best possible opponent out there, but it’s either him or another few months of waiting before a Don King fighter approaches Wladimir again. In which case, fans will begin to question Vladimir’s inactivity. Wladimir should be applauded for staying busy, something boxers today are not particularly fond of. Need I mention the former Heavyweight champion took a year long vacation before fighting Wladimir’s brother? To all those disappointed with this matchup, think about this: would you rather have a fighter take a year long break and then fight a top contender, or would you rather he fights a top contender with a tune up in between? Make no mistake about it, provided there is no Rocky Balboa like upset, Wladimir will always fight a top contender. I mean, what will their be left for him to do? He’s already exposed Dannel Nicholson, and there is no money in a rematch with him. Besides, I think Wladimir is the type of guy who fights good contenders anyway. I seem to remember the names McCline, Byrd, Mercer, and Barrett on his resume of victims. These are skilled pugilists and Vladimir wasn’t afraid to fight them, despite the risk involved. Have faith, Wladimir will face the toughest opponents rather than take the easy way, and fight bottom dwellers of the heavyweight division.
As for Wladimir’s humiliating defeat against Corrie Sanders, I think the juries still out as to whether that fight was just a fluke or if it was indicative of a problem with Wladimir’s chin. Remember, Lewis also took some great shots in his fight with Vitali, and that should have made everyone forget about how Lewis was once knocked silly by Rahman & McCall. Believe me, everyone fighter gets caught with a big punch at one time or another. Just look at Holyfield-Ruiz II, if you want to see how even an iron chinned war horse like Evander can still be hurt by a well placed punch.. By the way, Wladimir would have kept on fighting and getting up versus Sanders, if the referee hadn’t prematurely stopped the fight. Wladimir was still recovering from the initial knockdown when the fight was stopped. He would have been fully recovered in a minute or two, and the video tape proves fact.
Although I am not as distressed by this fight as most fans are, one thing does bother me, and that is that this fight is for a so-called title. Anybody who has ever read anything about the Klitschko’s, knows that their dream is to be champions at the same time. And as much as I applaud their desire for such a historical and intriguing honor, I cannot agree that part of the dream will be realized if Vladimir beats Lamon Brewster. To me, being a champion involves fighting and beating the best fighters in the division, and although a decent fighter, I don’t think Brewster has proven to be even a good fighter. If by April 25, both Vladimir and Vitali claim they are champions, I will have to wholeheartedly disagree. But at this time, I see this as a regular fight, and not a championship bout. Both Brewster and Klitschko have acted respectively towards each other, and should be commended for their behavior, but I will not see either of them as champions after the fight.
Don’t agree? Email me and I will prove to you why you should