O/T: Wladimir Klitscho, the next great heavyweight?

[TD]

Anyone watch this guy knock Ray Mercer down, and pummel Mercer into a TKO. OK, Mercer is not a heavyweight god (he could've been though, and almost was) but he had never, ever in his 41 years been KO'd, and only Evander Holyfield had ever knocked him down. Of Mercers 4 defeats prior to last nights fight, 3 were decisions to legends: Holyfield, Holmes, and Lewis, and he had only been knocked down once, and never knocked out........Wladimir has the skills to fight Lewis, but he needs to fight another tune up or two. A John Ruiz, Chris Byrd, Kirk Johnson, or David Tua would do. He could also fight a Micheal Moorer or Hasim Rahman, or of course Mike Tyson or Evander Holyfield. The sky is the limit if this guy is managed properly. What you don't want to do is throw him in the ring with Lewis to soon and ruin his career.

 

[Cincy Vigilante]

I think Klitscko would destroy Tua, I think he is way overrated. But the others I would like to see. Your right though he is a fight or two away from Lewis, if Lewis doesn't retire before then.

 

[TD]

I agree with you that Tua is overrated, but I think that would be a good fight for Klitscko, I don't think his promoters/managers want him to fight anybody that may be superior before he gets a shot at Lewis. This Russian is the real deal, but while he is still wet behind the ears, and we have no idea how is chin is (he was swelling up from the few shots Mercer got in on him) so I don't think you risk a fight with a Holyfield or a Tyson. Thier experience can not be overstated, even if Wladimir is clearly the better physical specimen. He needs to fight someone a notch above Mercer, someone in the top ten, but not a serious contender. Tua, Rahman, Moorer, Vaughn Bean, Witherspoon. But, he also needs exposure to convince promoters that he can make a fight with Lewis profitable so that is why I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a mistake and fight some one to good to soon. Or maybe I am making the mistake and he will kick anybodys ass that stands in his way. We shall see.

 

[Metal88]

Originally posted by TD
Or maybe I am making the mistake and he will kick anybodys ass that stands in his way. We shall see.

You are indeed making a mistake. Hehe. Though I wouldn't say he can beat anyone that stands in his way, there is one guy who can beat him, and that's Lennox. Tyson would NEVER get in the ring with this Ukranian, I think Mercer at 41 years old would beat Tyson in his current out of shape and pussified state. Holyfield is one of my favorite fighters ever, but I think he needs to go ahead and retire, there is nothing left for him. I think he'd be killed by the Ukranian. I'd rather see Klitscko destroy someone like Rahman or Ruiz and then go on to fight Lewis. Lewis takes him though I think b/c he's so smart and careful, not fun to watch, but virtually unbeatable.

 

[jfgonzales71]

Yo TD, you think Bean and Witherspoon are in the top 10? Just wondering. I wanna see him fight Chris Byrd again. Wait, I never even watched the first fight. Oh well. Lewis will win easy even when Wladimir is ready. But then what do I know, I thought Erik Morales won his last fight.

Nando

 

[Metal88]

Hey, welcome to the board gonzales.

Did you see Morales' FACE after that fight? Didn't look like a winner to me. Hehehe. I think the fight was pretty even on the cards, Morales won all those early rounds, easy to forget when you see what he looked like at the end of the fight though I guess. I think Bararra partly got it b/c he was SO SCREWED on their first fight where I thoght he should have won an easy unamimous decision. <shrug>

 

[jfgonzales71]

Hey, thanks for the welcome. While watching the Morales-Barrera fight, I was telling all the homies how Morales was gonna win a easy decesion but the judges were gonna give it to Barrera. It wasn't easy but it still happened. Oh well.

 

[TD]

Byrd beat Klitscho in a fight where the Russian tore his shoulder up and was still quite young. Funny thing about Tyson - remember, he was supposed to have fought Mercer in January has his tune-up for Lewis. I don't think Tyson would have gotten past Mercer..............

 

[TD]

Oh yeah, I personally wouldn't rank Bean and Witherspoon in the top ten, but if you look around at the rankings for the boxing leagues and publications, those names are still prevalent.

 

[Cincy Vigilante]

Originally posted by TD
I agree with you that Tua is overrated, but I think that would be a good fight for Klitscko, I don't think his promoters/managers want him to fight anybody that may be superior before he gets a shot at Lewis. This Russian is the real deal, but while he is still wet behind the ears, and we have no idea how is chin is (he was swelling up from the few shots Mercer got in on him) so I don't think you risk a fight with a Holyfield or a Tyson. Thier experience can not be overstated, even if Wladimir is clearly the better physical specimen. He needs to fight someone a notch above Mercer, someone in the top ten, but not a serious contender. Tua, Rahman, Moorer, Vaughn Bean, Witherspoon. But, he also needs exposure to convince promoters that he can make a fight with Lewis profitable so that is why I wouldn't be surprised to see him make a mistake and fight some one to good to soon. Or maybe I am making the mistake and he will kick anybodys ass that stands in his way. We shall see.

I agree with you on all this, I agree he needs more exposure in America. It would be hard to sell a PPV with Wladimir and Lewis right now. Thats because most ppl in the US are casual fans, if that, of boxing. There were 20 ppl at my house for Lewis/Tyson and 6 for Barrera/Morales.

 

[TD]

I think the record attendance at my house for boxing was about 30 or so (in my garage which has been converted into a bar) for Holyfield/Tyson II. 2nd largest was probably Holyfield Lewis I which drew about 15 or 20. It is usually just the same 4 or 5 of us, unless I(no one helps me here) decide to get a keg and throw a party. I don't mind being the great gatsby, I like a good time. Lewis is not capable of successful PPV's, his name alone is not a draw. Larry Holmes vs. Butterbean PPV will get more buys than Lewis vs. Klitscho.

 

[Metal88]

Originally posted by TD
Byrd beat Klitscho in a fight where the Russian tore his shoulder up and was still quite young. Funny thing about Tyson - remember, he was supposed to have fought Mercer in January has his tune-up for Lewis. I don't think Tyson would have gotten past Mercer..............

Not a chance in hell. hehe