By @BoxingMuse: The youngest Klitschko, Wladimir is the closest thing we as boxing fans have had to an undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis’ reign. Now that older brother Vitali Klitschko has vacated the WBC title which he has held since 2004, there is now an opening for several heavyweight contenders.
A rematch between Bermane Stiverne and Chris Arreola, who are ranked No 1 and No 2 by the WBC will most likely decide the new WBC champ unless the governing body goes in a completely different direction.
The 200lbs + division is still without the life in which made it historically the most glamorous division in our sport. Although recent times the heavyweight scene shows some promise, genuine threats towards the remaining Klitschko ‘Dr. Steelhammer’ are still lacking.
Appreciate Wladimir or not, you have to admit he is the premier man in the division. Today’s top ten heavyweights can make a case for a fight with the heavyweight king but not many give us boxing fans and experts the impression that Wladimir’s time is almost up. Wlad has expressed interest in reclaiming the WBC title under the Klitschko surname once again.
Stiverne, Arreola, Deontay Wilder, Bryant Jennings, Mike Perez, Dereck Chisora, Manuel Charr and Kubrat Pulev are the highest ranking names yet to face Wladimir although big brother beat three of these (Arreola, Chisora and Charr).
What was ment to be the most dangerous foe facing Wlad was 2004 super-heavyweight Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povetkin. The bout turned out to be a routine victory for Klitschko bringing his record to 61-3 (51KO’s).
The 37 year old has a world class resume and has not tasted defeat since 2004 against Lamon Brewster. Although having defeated such boxers as David Haye, Samuel Peter, Ruslan Chagaev and Eddie Chambers, Wlad is yet to have a distinguishing fight, not to say there has been no drama in his career, this was evident in his losses to Lamon Brewster, Corrie Sanders and Ross Puritty.
All I am stating is that inside the ropes Wlad has either been too dominant or routine in victory therefore he doesn’t have a significant moment in which represents his talent or his impressive worth as a heavyweight champion.
We remember Ali for his epic rope-a-dope victory over George Foreman in Zaire , 1974. We recognize the genius of Tyson with his 2 round obliteration of Berbick. We recall the virtue of Rocky Marciano with his shuddering KO of an old Joe Louis. What will the history books remember about the most dominant heavyweight since 2005?
Perhaps the arrival of a new giant on the world heavyweight scene can provide a mouth-watering challenge. A man 12 years younger, 3 inches taller with an advantage of 4 inches in reach; Tyson Fury. Outspoken, brash and confident the young Englishman with Irish Traveler heritage has already made a reputation as a controversial character.
The clash of styles and personalities between Wlad and Tyson would definitely gel to make an incredible pre-fight build up and an exciting match up inside the ropes. Wlad, a gentleman and good role model for the sport, would be the smaller man in the fight, his defensive safety first style turns many boxing fans off but against a larger more aggressive opponent such as Fury who has a tendency to ignore his size advantages and brawl, a great fight could break out in an intriguing boxing match.
Although Wlad is a defensively minded chess player, do not doubt for a second, he is an extremely powerful puncher plus against Fury who was dropped in his last outing against former cruiserweight champion Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham do not be surprised if you see knockdowns and perhaps a knockout. Not forgetting Wlad’s history of hitting the canvas earlier in his career.
Old versus young, the good guy versus the bad guy, champion versus challenger, experience versus ambition, defense versus offense, tall versus taller, big versus bigger.
Perhaps this is one of few heavyweight match ups involving Wladimir which could set the heavyweight boxing division on fire once again. Surely it is only a matter of time until we see Klitschko v Fury.
What do you think? Follow and Tweet me your opinion @BoxingMuse
Thanks for reading.
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