Let's be honest. . . how good is Wladimir Klitschko REALLY?

Question

Our topic of discussion on last night's broadcast was "Could Wlad Klitschko fare well against other prominent heavies from history?" We used Louis, Ali, Foreman, and Holmes as the four major examples. Would Wlad's size be a factor against these fighters who, on their best days, never fought fighters as tall and strong as Wlad. (Slight exception of Primo Carnera, who was a joke) My question is. . . COULD WLAD BEAT ANY OF THESE FOUR MEN EVEN ONCE OUT OF TEN ATTEMPTS? (We also discussed "prime" Foreman AND "comeback" Foreman)

Answer 1

Not that good. All four of the fighters you listed would beat him easily. 90's Foreman would beat him but would take a bit longer than 70's Foreman.

Answer 2

yes he could,a tremendous fighter and athlete,he could stand his own against all of them and beat Louis,foreman and Ali,may struggle a bit with Holmes but i think he'd win by dec!

Answer 3

Good question Chris.  In following boxing for close to 30 years I have seen the best of the 70s 80s 90s and today and I dont believe Klitschko is as good or bad as they say.  For one, he always comes to fight in shape and he works hard at his technique. He has sound fundamentals as far as the jab goes and combination punching.  He may not have the greatest chin but when youre getting hit by heavyweights anything can happen.  I honestly believe he would have destroyed a Marciano but as far as those other guys go, well, based on just his size and skills, he may have lasted a few rounds with Louis before being stopped. Ali would have been much tougher, especially a prime Ali.  Joe Frazier would have been an ugly fight but one that could have gone either way.  And as for Larry Holmes, I think a prime Easton Assassin would have had too much firepower for him to handle.  So overall I think Klitschko is a quality heavyweight and an exemplary champion, just nothing really special.  Most underrated champ of last 50 years:Lennox Lewis.  Most overrrated: Rocky Marciano.  Just a bonus comment LOL.

Answer 4

In the 4 years since Lennox Lewis retire as undisputed Heavyweight champion of the world a variety of different fighters have flirted with providence in the Heavyweight division. No one had come closer to being that since Wladimir Klitschko. He has flirted with the top spot in serval ocations but has sometimes fallen back due to serval loses, but remains to this day as the world #1 rank Heavyweight in the world. Considering all these Heavyweight Boxers you mention in their prime this is what i think would've been the outcome. He would have destroyed a Marciano but as far as those other guys go, based on just his size and skills, he may have lasted a few rounds with Louis before being stopped. Ali would have been much tougher, Joe Frazier would have been an ugly fight but one that could have gone either way. And as for Larry Holmes, I think a prime Easton Assassin would have had too much firepower for him to handle. He's the Man closes to becoming world recognize Heavyweight champion. With a sure win over Foreman this guy will be the best Heavyweight in the world.

Answer 5

Honestly? I think he's too slow, cuts and bleeds too easily, can't defend against a good hook and he's sloppy! The heavyweights today seem to all be in that category! The last heavyweight with speed and power was Tyson!

Answer 6

This is a very good question. Head on over to http://www.fightjunkie.com/predictions and read the a write-up on the fight. I think you will see some of the issues with WK. They also have a forum where you can go and chat about this and many other fight related stuff.

Answer 7

Chris I just got done watching the Klitschko fight. He wasn't impressive. His oponent was worse! Neither of them showed any upper body or head movement. Klitschko's got a nice strong jab but a good counter puncher would be a problem for him. I think if he fought someone that could give him a lot of angles, he'd be in trouble. The division is weak right now. I don't believe he would be able to beat any of those guys you mentioned

Answer 8

I don't think the heavyweight division is today, what it was in the 60's and 70's. I think if you look at the linear championship, it proves the point. Foreman, Ali, Holmes, Spinks, Tyson, Douglas, Holyfield, Moorer and back to Foreman! 20yrs after he was at his peak!

The four guys you mentioned, Ali, Foreman, Louis, and Holmes in my opinion are in the top 10 all-time heavies.

Klitschko isn't quite in their league yet...and I doubt he will end up there. He needs to fight more often and be more dominate