Are The Klitschko Brothers Getting Snubbed As All Time Greats Because They’re European?
This weekend Wladimir Klitschko (55-3, 49 KOs) took care of business once again as he dispatched of trash talking David Haye (25-2,23 KOs) with yet another routine drubbing. The WBO/IBO/IBF/WBA and The Ring heavyweight champion ran his unbeaten streak to 14 while soundly dispatching of everyone with little to no resistance. He’s currently the longest reigning IBF, WBO & IBO champion of all time. Meanwhile, his brother Vitali (42-2, 39 KOs) currently holds the WBC heavyweight title and hasn’t lost since a controversial TKO stoppage against Lennox Lewis—in a fight he was winning, mind you—due to a cut caused by a Lewis punch back in 2003. He’s never been knocked down and has the best knockout ratio of any heavyweight fighter in the history of the sport.
So why is it that when we talk about the greatest fighters of all time, we constantly leave them out of the equation? Because they are European, for one. And secondly, because they make their competition look like trash. You can argue which one is most important, but regardless of what you may think about the division, the Klitschkos may end up as two of the top 5 greatest heavyweights of all-time. And yes, that puts them past Mike Tyson.
When you look at the careers closely, there is truly a legitimate argument as to why they should be spoken in the same breath as Mayweather and Pacquiao.
Yes, Pacquiao’s historic rise through the weight classes has been epic. He hasn’t lost since 2005 and has knocked the heads off of eight of his last 14 opponents. Unfortunately for both the Klitschkos, they can’t move any higher in weight. Vitali has stopped out 8 of his last ten opponents since 2003. Wladimir has stopped 10 of his last 14 foes since 2004. They both have better records than Pacquiao and higher knockout ratios.
Mayweather may be undefeated, but he’s always been accused of ducking the biggest threats in his weight class. This is something that neither of the Klitschkos have done. As champions, they have constantly taken on the top competition and obliterated them.
But due to the fact that they aren’t huge stars in the US, it’s difficult for the general public to sit them atop the pound-for-pound lists. Neither of them have dynamic personalities that either endear them to the casual fan or make them a compelling villain that everyone wants to see defeated. The fact of the matter is, nobody cares. They don’t fight in the states and that also hurts their chances. But there’s two ways the Klitschko brothers can get respect—create another “Mike Tyson” type of fighter that U.S. fans love or have them fight each other.
The latter half of that will never happen. The former takes many years. It’s no secret the heavyweight division has been in shambles since Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield were at the top of their game. Even though Lennox Lewis was great, he was also the victim of being from another country. Without a true contender that presents a formidable opponent for either brother, all you will have is two guys who are too big and too strong for the rest of their division.
It sucks, but that’s just how it goes. Maybe, one of the two suggestions will happen. Maybe they should create fan friendly personas in the States. But they are making boatloads of money and filling arenas of 50k plus seats overseas. Why in the world would they do that?
Well what about Lennox Lewis? He’s European and he didn’t get overlooked. It’s not cause they’re European, it’s because in the American eye they’re boring. For some odd reason now O days it takes a butt load of drama, fitting certain molds, press agents etc to get people to watch. It’s not just how a person does his job.
Look at Dana Patrick makes out because of the stuff she pulls, press agent etc and she’s average. Even NBA championships now there’s always some story or whatever to make it more dramatic. Same thing with MMA, boxing etc. Because most people are idiots. People aren’t content with them just doing the sports.
So unless they start doing some crazy stuff to get attention or get a press agent then the whole thing is going to stay on Pacman and Maywether jr. Why because most people now are idiots. I’d suggest one of them gets to piping snookie or j wow.
I think this article is spot on. I’ve been fans of the K bros for years. I’m never bored watching them fight. Why? The same reason Yankees fans don’t get bored watching Jeter and the boys blow a team out. I you’re a fan of something, you don’t want close contests. Those are stressful.People talk about the old days of boxing. Ali was before my time. But I’ve seen many of his fights. And MANY of them were boring. People talk about the revered Ali-Frazier trilogy. But have you ever seen the Ali-Norton trilogy? It’ like watching paint dry. But people apparently didn’t get upset about it. Nor did they get upset that Norton may have been robbed in both of the 2 decisions that went to Ali. Why? Because people LOVED Ali. So, why don’t American like the Klitschkos? IMO, it’s a few different things, and it’s mostly pathetic. They’re not American, for one. They have PhD’s. That might sound counter-intuitive. But not in America. America collectively seems to prefer rap sheets to PhD’s when it comes to quite a few things, boxing among them. The K’s are also products of the former Soviet Union. So there’s the Ivan Drago factor. Last, they’re white. Americans aren’t used to that. Lennox was foreign and it hurt his popularity in the U.S. But he was at least the right color. Americas are suspicious of white athletes who do well in sports that have been predominantly black. Few years ago, when Steve Nash was NBA MVP 2 years in a row, it was controversial i that people wondered aloud if his whiteness had anything to do with it. The dominance of the K’s leads a lot of people to think that the HW field must be sub-par – which IMO it’s anything but. I think I could have said this all easier but suggesting that us Americans are DUMB.
All the talk about black or white is absolute nonsense. I think the equation is very very simple. The Klitschko brothers don’t get the attention of people because they haven’t achied anything big! The Americans aren’t dumb at all, just because they don’t love your idols. They are very proficient when it comes to boxing. And the Klitschkos have avoided big names for so many years and so many times, that people started to think that they are cowards. The only opponent I remember was Lennox Lewis who beat up Vitali heavily so that the contest had to be stopped in favor of Lewis.The Europeans aren’t that proficient when it comes to boxing. Most of the Europeans listen to what the media says and are somehow dissapointed when they acutally see a fight, that was hyped in a way like the KLitschko fights. Europeans don’t even know Mayweather or Pacquiao … . I am European myself and when want to find out whether a fighter is a really great one, I have a look at the opponents they faced. Looking at the Klitschko there isn’t even one opponent (except Lennox) who I regarded as 1st class. A fighter is only as great as his the greatest opponents he defeated. It’s that simple. I am not blaming the Klitschko for their boring fights, but there is no 1st class oponent in heavyweight and that’s why the Klitschko’s aren’t 1st class in the public eye.
It’s a response to Steven’s comment
Since when the elder Klitschko is boring and how come he was beaten heavily by Lewis I’d say Lewis stood no chance against Vitali in the rematch By the way Are you British?
@Steven: Dude, you have no idea what you’re talking about. First of all: Lennox was losing 4-2 on every scorecard in his fight with Vitali. He was gassed – actually both probably were – Vitali had taken his best shots and didn’t buckle, so barring the cut, a KO was probably unlikely. When you’re down 4-2, that means you need 5 of the ast 6 to win. And don’t give us the “Lennox was taking over” B.S. The actual scorecards were posted online a while back. Vitali won the 5th round on two of the three scorecards and I believe the 6th on one of three. In other words, it was a WAR til the very end. Lennox turned down $10 million minimum for the rematch. Then he got behind each of Vitali’s opponents afterwards, giving them “advice” on how to beat him, which of course no one has since Lennox.
Secondly, the Klitschkos “avoided big names”. Really??? Like who? They are notorious for seeking out ANY big names they can find. If you’re not American, you should be. I won’t call you DUMB. But your opinions are DUM. They’re uneducated opinions – the type the American anti-Klitschko crowd is known for.
Zack: WTH lol. Nash was MVP because they didn’t want to give it to kobe, that’s all she wrote there. It’s not that they’re not american. Look at most the boxers. Pac man isn’t american, roberto duran etc etc. Lenox lewis didn’t have his career hurt by him being foreign. And it’s not a rap sheet factor either. It’s just in americas eye there’s no dramatic flair and in that aspect I’d say they were dumb. There’s also been plenty of white boxers too. What about hatton etc. Before you talk you should probably know what your talking about instead of spewing out emotional rubbish.
On your second rant don’t label it as “if you’re not a klitchco fan and you’re a fan from america then you’re an idiot” that’s like trying to bully people into agreeing with you. And is very lame.
The Klitschkos have brutalized every opponent put in front of them. The only ones who don’t get ko’d are the ones who fight safe like David Haye. Those people lose anyways. BTW I’m American and honestly I’m ashamed of the extreme lack of intelligence many American fans have. What many Europeans suspect, I know for a fact. American fans hate them because they’re white. For some reason these morons from my country worship Mohammed Ali even though he was a lying draft dodging scumbag. FWI both brothers would demolish Ali, their power and technique is superior to his. For some reason we can’t stand the fact that the Klitschkos are white. I just don’t get it. We have serious reverse racism in this country, where the minorities are put on some platform. Granted I don’t mind a black champion I just wish my fellow Americans would show some damn intelligence and appreciate the Klitschkos for the dominant champs they are.
The Klitschko’s are extremely fortunate to be around when everyone else is so shit!!!!! Simple as that!
By the way I am a boxing officinado! I have followed boxing since the 70s and the days of Ali, Foreman, Frasier, Norton, Spinks, Holmes!!! etc.
These 2 boxing brothers are the pits!!! They are second rate bums!!!!
END OF STORY.
In all honesty, the reason they don’t get the credit is because their skin is too light.
There, I’ve said it!
If they were black boxers then people would be saying how great they are because of how they completely dominate, but because they are not, well all of a sudden “oh, there isn’t any real competition!”.
For some reason, in the modern era anyway, white boxers don’t seem to get the credit then can, and often do, deserve.
Oh, and before anyone cries “racist!” – I’m a black guy myself.