Wladimir Klitschko
WLAD HAS NO THREAT EXCEPT AGE!
Los Angeles, CA– Wladimir Klitschko (60-3, 51 KOs) will retire in the next few years without putting any more blemishes on his professional record. He may have his naysayers, but there is no doubt Wlad is head and shoulders above any other heavyweight in the world. As the younger Klitschko begins wrapping up an extended reign, the division he leaves behind will be much more competitive to say the least.
KLITSCHKO’S OWN 21ST CENTURY
I do not believe there is a fighter out there currently who will be able to do what the Klitschko brothers have done for the better part of this millennium. There are decent contenders out there, but I see the lineal championship being passed around for a while before somebody has the skills and resume to take over.
POSSIBLE HEIRS TO THE THRONE
Alexander Povetkin (26-0, 18 KOs) will take a beating against Wladimir this coming October, but it may in time make him a better fighter. Povetkin is not yet proven at the elite level, but he has the skill to compete with second-tier heavyweights, which is all that will be left of the heavyweight division when Wlad hangs them up.
DEONTAY WILDER NOT GETTING MY VOTE
Speaking of second-tier heavyweights, Deontay Wilder (28-0, 28 KOs) fits the bill. Wilder’s favorite snack happens to be third and fourth-tier fighters, so the 2008 Olympic Bronze medalist often looks top-tier. I’d like to see him and Tyson Fury (21-0, 15 KOs). As for the UK’s Fury and Wilder, they are very rough around the edges, with Tyson taking on the much tougher competition, while America’s Wilder perhaps possesses more natural talent.
FURY TO MEET “HAYEMAKER” FOR UK PRIDE & BIG BUCKS!
Fury is taking on easily the best he’s ever fought in David Haye (26-2, 24 KOs) on September 28th. If light-hitting, former cruiserweight (200 lb.) champ Steve Cunningham (25-6, 12 KO) was able to drop Fury, Haye’s bombs will absolutely flatten Fury. Haye himself is just a few steps below the Klitschkos, and would likely be able to hang on to the belt longer than most. Alas, the Hayemaker will probably retire soon also, as he has hinted several times in the past.
OTHER GUY WORTHY OF A MENTION?
Upstart Bermane Stiverne (23-1-1, 20 KO) is another fighter who may have what it takes to ascend to the top of a Klitschko-less heavyweight division. He put on an impressive performance against Chris Arreola (35-3, 30 KO), but Stiverne has struggled with lesser foes in the past. He brings it more now as he seems to have realized his potential.
NO LARRY HOLMES TO REPLACE WLAD
As it stands, unlike Muhammad Ali with Larry Holmes, there is no clear successor to the Klitschko brothers. For boxing fans, this may be the best news possible. We are in for some very competitive fights for years to come.
Zak Young