By Olly Campbell: Essentially its been a little quiet again on a British front, however this week we had Frank Warren hyping his proposed June rematch between Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora. Stateside, we have had a win for prospect Bryant Jennings last weekend, and now the news that desperately-in-need-of-a-test Deontay Wilder is to face his friend and Chisora victim Malik Scott in a couple of months. It is sad that Wilder, Fury and Chisora all seem to be leveling out in terms of their competition rather than stepping it up, however it did get me thinking.
With Vitali Klitschko off to take on a whole different kind of fight in Ukraine’s political arena, it really only leaves one man sitting on the throne that needs to be beaten. That man is of course, his younger brother and owner of 75% of the heavyweight belts, Wladimir Klitschko.
Now, its a sad fact that we are not living in times of glory when referring not just to the richest prize in boxing, but also the richest prize perhaps, in ALL of worldwide sport. It does go without saying though, that regardless of that, the man on top of the pile is without a doubt the most EFFECTIVE heavyweight out there, and also arguably the most powerful. (His 79% ko record means more than Wilder’s 100% through level of opposition alone).
So, my question would be, just who in the world can beat him right now?
Please bear in mind that I said Wladimir was the most EFFECTIVE fighter in the division. I never said he was the most exciting. We all know most Klitschko fights are snooze-fests, even though he usually gets a knockout. It’s like BN24 writers favourite son, Floyd Mayweather. As someone who boxed in my youth, I appreciate his slick defensive skill, but don’t try tell me that Floyd has been in a fight the casual fan can enjoy for a good while. It is 2014 now. It’s been awhile. These fights don’t excite.
However, I’m a writer who would rather die than chase a Floyd angle, so back to case in point. Wladimir hasn’t lost since 2004, in the first fight vs Brewster. It was a fight he was winning too, but a fight he ran out out of gas in. Something he was criminally guilty of in all those fights he fought before he matured and rounded. Journeyman Ross Puritty and a 37 yr old Corrie Sanders also found a way through, leaving the world thinking the young Wlad had a glass jaw and could never make a real career in boxing. The real problem was the chin was weakened by an empty tank and a far looser defence than what Manny Steward helped him craft.
It makes me think of David Price. After the loss to Brewster, Jim Lampley and the HBO team were signing the death warrant on Wladimir’s career, much as we have all done even a little with Price. What Wladimir did was utilize his strengths, and try mask.his weaknesses under the tutelage of the legend that is Steward. That is where the ram rod jab, strong right hand and clinch .on the inside/press down style was born.
What I’m trying to say is Wlad, like any fighter had flaws. Exposure by the likes of Puritty in 98 proved that. Yet the rematch vs Brewster proved you can fight back. Face down at the end of the fifth, despite earlier success in the fight had us all saying bye bye….look what he achieved since.
Any fighter who wins Olympic gold must carry something special, and having not lost a fight in ten years Wlad has proved that. I agree, his style is mostly boring, and fighting almost exclusively in Germany does not help us UK and US fans. However, Wlad has beaten (along with big bro) everyone out there who posed a credible threat. I remember Solis being Vitalis biggest test a couple of years bag. A weird ankle injury/didn’t want it, put paid to that.
I’m not defending the Klitschkos, I’m English (lol) but they have beaten who they had to. Wladimir’s last 3, Wach, Pianeta and especially Povetkin were rated and unbeaten. The point seems to be, who is there left, and are they worthy?….Forgetting the retired Vitali, Wladimir has, including the last 3, also beaten Thompson x2, Rahman, Chagaev, Chambers, Peter, Haye and Haye cruiser victim Mormeck in his last few fights. I am first to agree this proposed fight with Aussie Alex Lepai seems a bit silly because we all know who we want.
The real question is: Of the guys the fans want to see fight Wlad, how many are really ready? Now, when I say this I’m talking of 3-4 guys. Arreola and Stiverne?…forget it. Arreola already got beat by big bro as did the Canadian. Would they fare any better vs Wladimir? In my eyes, their WBC clash is something of a joke. Yet that’s how many feel about the whole stagnant division. No, I’m ruling out Bryant Jennings, Lucas Browne, Mike Perez and even David Price right now, though after my earlier Wladimir analogy, perhaps Price could be the man?
No, there are three media starlet challengers and one being taken a little bit more seriously.by the boxing press. You have: Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, Dereck Chisora and Kubrat Pulev. As the reader, who is your pick?
I’ve made it clear on BN24 a million times that Fury/Chisora 2 is a waste. If it were a final eliminator then yeah, great. Otherwise, not now. It could be much bigger in a couple of years when one, or even both, holds world honours. Wilder……go on then. I’m sorry, but Wilder has no chin as far as I’ve seen. It’s not been tested in the pros because he fights substandard opposition. This fight vs Scott is a joke. Chisora beat Scott, as would Fury. Pulev would make quick work also. Scott and Wilder are reportedly friends. Their padded records are something to bond over at least. Scott had the courage to step up. Wilder must this year also to silence the doubters, as must Fury. At least Del went in and gave a performance against a Klitschko.
My conclusion I suppose, is that with his boring but effective style, Wladimir Klitschko reigns supreme. At least until he wants to. Of all of them, Tyson Fury has the most time in terms of age. Everyone else has a few years, especially Pulev, and despite wins over Tony Thompson is still a prospect in my eyes. I forgot to mention Adamek and Helenius yet they are both Euro fighters I have no real affinity for.
Im gonna have to conclude by saying that Wladimir Klitschko is top of a heavyweight pile that is without doubt one of the most stagnant in memory. However, if we look at his faults and subsequent dominating of the division, if the field and quality of it stays the same, perhaps only David Price is the only one capable of doing the same. We may all fancy the Wilders, Furys and Chisoras but if Jim Lampley after the Brewster fight is anything to go by, saying Wladimir’s career was over, maybe Price will be the one to shock the world……Until then I see Wlad continuing to rule the world, boring or not!
Thanks as always. Ollygothroxxx@gmail.com or Facebook, Olly.Campbell666
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