Interest in the heavyweight division in boxing is arguably at an all-time low. While there are still levels of interest in parts of Europe, there is little excitement about the division in America and other parts of the world. Most heavyweight title fights aren’t even available on HBO or Showtime, much less as part of a money-making PPV package. It’s a far cry from the days of Ali, Frazier and Foreman, or even the more recent rebirth of the division with fighters like Tyson, Holyfield and Lewis.
There are many reasons that all but the most hardcore boxing fans have abandoned the heavyweight division. Instead of having dynamic, intriguing fighters, most top heavyweights are nothing more than plodding, lumbering masses of flesh. Instead of showing real boxing skills, most European heavyweight are content to throw the same two punches (jab followed by a straight right) over and over again with the hope that they can catch their opponent with a flush punch. Concepts like movement, strategy and ring generalship are often lost on most heavyweights.
Another reason that people have lost interest in the heavyweight division is that there is a clear line of demarcation between the top heavyweights in the sport and everyone else. Specifically, the two heavyweights that most experts feel are far and away the class of the division is brothers Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko. Between the two of them, the Ukranian powers hold three of the four major world title belts and the top two rating in the Ring Magazine division rankings. Wladimir Klitschko defended his IBF and WBO titles in March by knocking out Eddie Chambers in the 12th round in Germany, while Vitali retained his WBC heavyweight championship last month by knocking out Albert Sosnowski in the 10th round.
In theory, the Klitschkos should be what is good about the heavyweight division. They are both intelligent and politically active, going beyond the boundaries of most boxers. Wladimir even made a name for himself in the world of celebrity gossip earlier this year when he started dating a celebrity ingénue – “Heroes” star Hayden Panetierre. Life should be great for the Klitschkos.
However, many boxing experts argue that the Klitschko’s dominance over the heavyweight division is one of the biggest things currently killing the division in terms of mainstream popularity. Certainly, there is a sense of inevitability to a Klitschko victory when they step into the ring – it’s been seven years since Vitali Klitschko lost and six years since Wladimir Klitschko tasted defeat. And in most cases, they’ve hardly been pushed; neither Chambers not Sosnowski gave either of the Klitschkos much to worry about in their most recent fight.
But can we blame the Klitschkos for being very good at what they do? After all, it’s not their fault that there aren’t many top-quality heavyweights left in America or other parts of the world. Recently, British boxer and current WBA champion David Haye has been on a public relations campaign with the expressed purpose of getting a fight against one of the Klitschkos. But while Haye might be skilled enough to give the Klitschkos a true test, recent reports suggest that Haye has been talking a big game while privately not being that interested in a fight.
While the Klitschkos can’t control the level of most of their opponents, they could fight each other. It’s a natural matchup between the two best heavyweights and something that would pique the interest of casual boxing fans. However, both Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko have said repeatedly that they would refuse to fight each other, and that squaring off against their sibling would be too difficult. That might be the case, but it also might be the only fight that could save the heavyweight division.
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