By Robert Jackson: Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko have RULED boxing’s heavyweight division for over 5 years now and it seems there are no challenges in sight to their throne(s).
Chris Arreola after a preliminary fight or 2 is gearing up for another run at the title this time against Wladimir, we all remember what happened the first time he challenged for a title against Vitali.
David Haye talked himself into a big payday fight against Wladimir and then did nothing but point out he’d broken his foot during training after a lopsided loss.
Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson put forth a lackluster effort against Vitaly, losing by decision. Well at least he didn’t get the hell beat out of him.
Tony Thompson and Eddie Chambers who were supposed to face off against each other this past November, ended up not fighting each other – both guys were earlier KO victims of Wladimir.
Sam Peter – now a journeyman, gatekeeper, officially lost to both brother’s (even though I thought he beat Wladimir the 1st time).
James Toney has nothing left but his mouth; he needs to hang them up.
Hasim Rahman – past it, his 1 punch KO over Lennox Lewis is a distant memory, most recent memories saw him losing to Wladimir in 2008 by TKO.
Calvin “The Boxing Banker” Brock who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth after losing to Eddie Chambers a few years back, is also a Wladimir KO victim from 2006. I wonder how good a living he’s making in Banking now days.
Reading the above snippets should give the reader an idea of just how dominant Dr. Steel Hammer and Dr. Iron Fist are, they may not be pretty or flashy but they are effective, both have above an 80% KO percentage. Most would agree that this heavyweight era is a weak one, but is that necessarily true?? Here are two things about the brothers that will make some people mad, while others will agree, 1) Wladimir and Vitaly are Super Heavyweights, 2) If both brothers were 6’2” or 6’3” like the majority of their opponents they wouldn’t be champions right now (and the heavyweight division would be more exciting and competitive).
Here’s another thing that will make the rest of boxing people mad: competition for the Klitschko’s comes in the form of 2 men – MMAers Jr Dos Santos and Alistair Overeem. Both men are large men and have a boxing pedigree which can be honed for them to compete in pro boxing. Maybe one of these guys can step and challenge boxing’s premier heavyweights after they fight each other.