By Allen Hmiel: WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (41-2, 38 KO’s) will undoubtedly go down in boxing history as one of the best heavyweight’s of all time. Maybe even the greatest heavyweight, but assuredly so, one who beats past heavyweight greats George Foreman (75-5 69 KO’s), Larry Holmes (69-6 44KO’s) and Mike Tyson (50-6 2NC and 44KO’s) by out-boxing and eventually out-slugging the past mentioned champions. Vitali seems never to have received the proper respect given to one of the best heavyweights to ever don a pair of gloves and wear the heavyweight crown.

The Ukrainian giant all 6’7″ with the 80″ reach has destroyed almost every fighter ever put in front of him and has an incredible 38 KO’s in his 43 fights. Vitali has shown the destructive powers of a champion as well as the supreme intelligence and ring generalship the others at times seemed to lack. Foreman-Holmes and Tyson, all great in their own right, seem to be a step behind the overwhelming size and ring generalship and brute punching power demonstrated by the talented intelligent Klitschko. While Foreman (69Ko’s) and Tyson (44KO’s) were devastating punchers in their own right and Holmes (44KO’s) possessed superior boxing ability , but all three lacked the overall height, weight, strength and stamina that has made Vitali one of the greatest of all time.

Vitali seems to be manhandling his opponents and getting better as he ages while the other three seemed to taper off as they aged. Most of Vitali’s fights have been gross mismatches and the battering his opponents have received leaves little doubt that Vitali could continue this type of incredible performances for years to come.

There have been great heavyweights champions in the past and while all three past legends-Foreman-Holmes and Tyson defended their titles adequately it seems Vitali has dominated his foes at a higher level of performance and is maintaining this level of excellence and perfecting it to levels never before attained. At 39 years old, Vitali acts and fights like he is a much younger man with an energy level and a sense of total domination, the heavyweight division has never seen in some time. Hopefully as time goes on and boxing fans realize the greatness and supreme abilities of Vitali Klitschko, he will attain his appropriate position at the top of the list of the world’s greatest heavyweight boxing champions. Now we can just enjoy watching him perform as the world’s best heavyweight champion.