Wladimir Klitschko Retires

[Ambrose]

Wladimir Klitschko retires from boxing to end chances of Anthony Joshua rematch

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...thony-joshua-rematch-off-boxing-a7874311.html


A re-match with Joshua had been discussed for this autumn. Joshua's agents were trying to get the fight in Vegas to try to make Joshua a big black star in the U.S. but Wladimir showed his smarts and decided not to take the bait. As we have seen so often in Vegas, white fighters have to fight not only their opponents but also the referee, the judges, and every official that can have some influence on limiting their ability to win. This time Vegas YOU lose!

Congratulations to Wladimir for a spectacular career where he dominated for a decade the world's heavyweights. His knockouts of dozens of black fighters can be found on the internet. Whatever the order, Wladimir, should be ranked first, second, or third best heavyweight ever as his skill to size ratio was just too much for most to overcome.

He's a smart man, and will retire with ease and style.

 

[limitless]

Good move. He should have retired after Bryant Jennings. That fight revealed his performance had faded (we all age). He should not have fought Fury or Joshua (he would have creamed both in his prime).

He was drugged in Lamon Brewster 1. He was legit KO'd by Corrie Sanders. He was young, and punched himself out with Purrity. All in all, one of the greatest heavyweights of all time.

 

[werewolf]

THE greatest heavyweight ever, except for his brother Vitali who was even better. They totally dominated the heavyweight division at a time when it was far bigger and stronger and international in scope that it had ever been before. No one has dominated a sport like they did since the great Babe Ruth ruled baseball in the 1920's and 30'.

 

[The Hock]

One he figured things out Vlad had a heck of a run for years where he rarely lost a round.

His combination of careful boxing with lightning strike power was unique.

Hope he and his lady have lots of kids.

 

[werewolf]

I do hope, though, that Wlad changes his mind and doesn't retire and beats Joshua in the rematch, and then they could have a super third playoff match. He could earn many millions of dollars if he does that.

 

[Riggins44]

I've said it before, Vlad and Vitali are two of the most important White athletes ever. They totally, absolutely destroyed the (((lie))) that the white heavyweight is naturally inferior to the black heavyweight. Vlad had one of the greatest, maybe THE greatest careers in heavyweight history, but it's time for him to retire. He has nothing left to prove.

 

[white lightning]

No one likes to get old. Wlad made the right decison. I think he is the greatest of all time. The only
guys I could compare to him would be Vitali, Marciano and Holmes.

 

[white is right]

Yes he is in the argument for the greatest heavyweight ever, comparisons with Louis and Marciano are fool hardy as both would be cruiserweights in today's era. Even Ali would have been a big cruiserweight who cut weight or tweener who would be outsized by the modern skilled huge heavyweight.

I'm glad he decided to retire as another rough fight could age him tremendously, aside from Foreman and Holmes most of the legendary heavyweights that fought well past their primes slurred badly and showed signs of brain damage. Wlad has no need for the money and his legacy is secure.

 

[Ambrose]

Guys, these are the top 3 heavies from the beginning of the sport to present. We should look at these fighters when they were in their prime to make comparisons.

#1 -Vitali K.
Beat Lewis but had fight stopped for the cut; Lewis ran away into retirement at 37 knowing this monster would kill him. Vitali goes on to blast, detonate, demolish and crush everything that stood on 2 legs in front of him. Not quite as fluent and technically good as his younger brother, but with almost 90% knockout ratio, best chin ever, confidence as big as Pacific Ocean, at 6,8" simply the megalithic juggernaut of all time.

#2- Tied - Wladimir K. & Lennox Lewis
Sorry guys, can't really say which one is better. Both VERY technical. Wlad is more athletic, had the better power than even Vitali, fast, knife-like techniques, but Lewis had the better chin and will to scrap -two qualities that just as important; ring I.Q.s seemed more or less equal.


Too bad Tyson Fury, at 6,9" is not as dedicated as the Klitschkos were. With Fury's skill, size, and albatross wingspan, he could still be the heavyweight king for a decade.