15.07.08 – By Paul Strauss: Klitschko once again does what is needed to come away with a victory, but he also once again fails to excite. He added another knockout to his record, but it was yet another rather ugly affair..
His opponent Tony “The Tiger” Thompson should be commended for his effort, considering his very limited boxing experience…… i.e. lack of amateur career, very late start in the sport, and a split effort between training and working a regular job to provide for his family.
Considering all of that, plus the fact that he is not a big puncher, how is it he lasted into the eleventh round with the so called best heavyweight in the world? He even managed to bruise the big Ukraine up a bit in the process.
Many experts fawn over Klitschko’s great size and physique. These same people talk about his tremendous athletic ability and piston like punching power, all of which is difficult to dispute. However, there seems to be something missing with this behemoth, something important? Maybe there’s even more than one missing ingredient, intangibles that are necessary to categorize him as great, rather than impressive.
In Saturday night’s effort, he fought as usual. He was overly cautious, using a boring style for much of the fight. He failed to use an effective jab, instead relying on an extended left arm rangefinder. Ringside commentator Lennox Lewis suggested on several occasions that Klitschko needed to exhibit more (punching) variety. Lennox explained that if a fighter is primarily interested in only two punches, his opponent will know it, so the fighter needs to use other punches, even if they are lighter punches, to conceal his intentions. Then, the fighter will be more effective with the big punches.
Well, it took Klitschko about ten rounds before he took that advice to heart. Up
to that point, he was pretty predictable, which allowed Thompson to stay around.
He also failed to get a warning from referee Joe Cortez for his excessive grabbing, wrestling moves.
It seems ludicrous to suggest it, but when Klitschko fights, it appears there is a frightened man in the ring, someone who fails to take any chances, until he is absolutely sure there will be no consequences. It is only then that he is willing to open up, and unleash his real speed and power. Frankly, it’s applicable to use a modification of the old cliche about too little (in this case, just enough) too late.
Many will agree there’s a good possibility Klitschko wouldn’t have lasted long against Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson when they were in their prime. Undoubtedly, Ali would have picked him a part. If we go back to the old days, the adage about a good big man always beats a good little man wouldn’t apply, because Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey all would have flattened Klitschko, and it would have been quick and exciting!