17.06.05 – By Tomasz Blanco: In a heavyweight division that most people think is not dominated outright by any one fighter, one fighter does, nonetheless stand taller than his counterparts. Vitali Klitschko should be considered the man at the Heavyweight division right now. A few reasons: Chris Byrd (fight took place 4/01/00) is considered by many to be the best pure boxer in the heavyweight division.. A very slick fighter, who is hard to hit. However, Klitschko boxed his ears back handily, before retiring due to a shoulder injury. Klitschko proved he can outbox the best of the best when it comes to boxing skill.
He had a much easier time beating Vaughn Bean (2/08/02) than a younger Holyfield did. Comparing someone to Holyfield is usually a pretty good guage, as Holyfield was one of the best. Sure, now people say that Bean is a bum, but I distinctly remember before the fight people like Max Kellerman were picking Bean to win! Vitali easily stopped Larry Donald (11/23/02), something no one else could do.
Vitali was beating Lewis (06/21/03) until the cut. Now don’t get me wrong and start crying, I know Klitschko lost the fight, but the fact still remains that he was beating Lewis on all three scorecards. I think people learned more about how good Vitali was from that fight, then from all his others. Add to that the fact that Lewis stayed as far away from the rematch as possible.
Kirk Johnson (12/06/03) was considered a very talented fighter coming in to fight Klitschko. He had hung very tough with Ruiz, before being DQ’d. Klitschko anihilated him in 2 rounds!
He beat a very dangerous spoiler in Corrie Sanders (04/24/04)
He destroyed Danny Williams (12/11/04), who had just come off a win over Tyson (which we now know isnt that hard). But nonetheless, many people were picking Danny…you saw the result.
Add to these facts, that he has tremendous punching power, good chin, plenty of heart, and great ring skills.
Klitschko is all set to return to the ring September 24, in Madison Square Garden. He is recovering from back surgery. Klitschko’s opponent is not yet named, but the WBC declares that he must face the winner of the Rahman/Barrett fight. I personally see this fight happening, with Rahman beating Barrett, running his mouth a lot, then losing to Klitschko. Of course rumors are that Klitschko is looking for a fight with James Toney, but Toney wants to split the purse, which he in no way deserves. Perhaps that’s Toney’s excuse, but we all know the real reason. If he’s going to take a beating, and lose all credibility, he wants to make some big bucks off it.
So if Klitschko fights Rahman, and beats Rahman, will people finally recognize Klitschko as the man in the heavyweight division? Only time will tell. Some claim Klitschko is ducking Rahman. Of course, any real boxing fan knows this is false. Why would Klitschko duck Rahman? An older version of the Rahman that was knocked clear out of the ring by Maskaev, who doesn’t hit as hard as Klitschko. In any case, whether Klitschko beats Rahman, Barrett or Toney, he has already proven himself as the dominant force in the heavyweight division.