There are reports across the globe that we have our first real heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis retired in 2003.Wladimir Klitschko defeated some guy named Ruslan Chagaev Saturday in Germany to retain his IBF and WBO titles. Klitschko also won The Ring magazine belt for recognition as the best heavyweight in the game.
Big deal.
The heavyweight division normally carries boxing but fighters from lower weight divisions are running the sport.
Klitschko is insignificant in this sport. Yes, he can draw 61,000 into an arena in Germany -- as was the case on Saturday -- but what can he do in boxing cities such as Las Vegas and New York, where the real fight fans are?
He's fought only once in the U.S. since 2007 and that's due to money. He can make more overseas than he can in the United States.
Why?
Because he doesn't wow anybody in the fight game.
Klitschko hasn't proven he's marketable in the U.S., because of the fighters he meets are either not as talented or past their prime. The last real opponent he defeated was Samuel Peter in 2005 and Peter had to wait just to get that title shot.
You can say his win over Chris Byrd was legit in 2006, but by that point, Byrd's career had seen better days. He beat an overrated Calvin Brock in 2006 as well. Klitschko's three losses were all by knockout to a bunch of no-names in the sport.
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Ukrainian IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko celebrates after defeating Usbek challenger Ruslan Chagaev after their heavyweight world championship boxing fight on June 20, 2009 in at the Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen. Klitschko retained his IBF and WBO titles after forcing challenger Ruslan Chagaev to retire after the ninth round. TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO DDP/ CLEMENS BILAN GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
IBF, IBO, WBO heavyweight boxing champion Wladimir Klitschko from Ukraine celebrates after he won his fight with WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev from Uzbekistan at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany, Saturday, June 20, 2009, with a technical Knockout in round 9. (AP Photo/ Mark Keppler)
AP
In this photo taken Saturday June 20, 2009, IBF, IBO, WBO Heavyweight Boxing Champion Wladimir Klitschko from Ukraine celebrates after he won his fight against WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev from Uzbekistan in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with technical Knock out in Round 9. (AP Photo/ Mark Keppler)
AP
In this photo taken Sunday June 20, 2009, IBF, IBO, WBO Heavyweight Boxing Champion Wladimir Klitschko, left, from Ukraine talks to WBA Heavyweight Champion Ruslan Chagaev from Uzbekistan after he won his fight in the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, with technical knock out in Round 9. (AP Photo/ Mark Keppler)
AP
In this photo taken Saturday June 20, 2009, IBF, IBO and WBO World Champion Wladimir Klitschko of Ukraine celebrates after winning the heavyweight boxing fight against Ruslan Chagaev from Uzbekistan in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
AP
Usbek challenger Ruslan Chagaev gets medical support during the heavyweight world championship boxing fight against Ukrainian IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko on June 20, 2009 in at the Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen. Klitschko retained his IBF and WBO titles after forcing challenger Ruslan Chagaev to retire after the ninth round. AFP PHOTO DDP/ CLEMENS BILAN GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko celebrates after defeating Usbek challenger Ruslan Chagaev after their heavyweight world championship boxing fight on June 20, 2009 in at the Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen. Klitschko retained his IBF and WBO titles after forcing challenger Ruslan Chagaev to retire after the ninth round. AFP PHOTO DDP/ CLEMENS BILAN GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Fireworks illuminate the stadium 'Auf Schalke' , the home stadium of Germany's first Bundesliga soccer team Schalke 04 as some 61,000 spectators gather to watch the heavyweight boxing fight between Ruslan Chagaev of Uzbekistan and Vladimir Klitschko of Ukraine in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen June 20, 2009. Klitschko defeated Chagaev in their IBF/WBO and IBO world heavyweight boxing by a technical knock-out. Picture taken June 20, 2009. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay (GERMANY SPORT BOXING)
Reuters
Ukrainian IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko celebrates after defeating Usbek challenger Ruslan Chagaev after their heavyweight world championship boxing fight on June 20, 2009 in at the Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen. Klitschko retained his IBF and WBO titles after forcing challenger Ruslan Chagaev to retire after the ninth round. AFP PHOTO DDP/ CLEMENS BILAN GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Ukrainian IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko (C) fights against Usbek challenger Ruslan Chagaev during their heavyweight world championship boxing bout on June 20, 2009 in at the Veltins-Arena Gelsenkirchen. Klitschko retained his IBF and WBO titles after forcing challenger Ruslan Chagaev to retire after the ninth round. AFP PHOTO DDP/ TORSTEN SILZ GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read TORSTEN SILZ/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Klitschko does have some skills: Jab and power, but his jaw isn't strong enough to withstand a power puncher.
There is a man who could be better than Klitschko: David Haye. But Haye backed out of a proposed June fight earlier this month citing a back injury. Haye offered to fight in July when he was healthy, but Klitschko said no, he wanted to keep the June date because he didn't want to lose the sellout crowd.
That is commendable in theory, but when you dig deeper it shows Klitschko didn't do what's in the best interest of boxing.
Instead, he faced a man who probably wouldn't be allowed to fight in the United States.
When Haye backed out of his bout, Klitschko found Chagaev as a replacement. The problem was Chagaev had a WBA title fight called off against Nikolai Valuev because Hepatitis-B antigens was found in Chagaev's blood.
Germany boxing officials allowed Chagaev-Klitschko to take place despite the test. Several boxing commissions protested the bout, including the American Association of Professional Ringside Physicians.
Klitschko could have waited for Haye because that is a bout fans would like to see. It was also an opportunity to market Klitschko as the real heavyweight champ. But instead, Klitschko went against what the medical community said was important: his safety.
Boxing needs a dominant presence from the heavyweight division. Klitschko isn't it -- or at least, not until he beats Haye or young gun Chris Arreola.
Klitschko is a smart guy, but his boxing decisions, his fault or not, hurt him and the sport.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-21-2009 @ 7:19PM
Kyle said...
I totally disagree. I think dr steelhammer needs to be part of the conversation when talking about the all-time greats. Since the controversial peters fight, klitschko has pretty much dominated opponents with just his jab. I can't wait for the haye fight either, but chagaev was no jobber. i think he was something like the #3 ranked heavyweight. didn't he beat valuev? klitschko is not bad for boxing or the heavyweight division, he's defining it. Boxing doesn't just have a real heavyweight champ, it has a legendary heavyweight champ.
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6-28-2009 @ 9:52PM
G said...
Well said. This writer is completely ignorant of Klitchko.
6-21-2009 @ 8:54PM
Mike said...
Whoin the hell is this dolt??
Klitschko has beaten many good fighters--Samuel when he was undefeated and feared being one. He just defeated Chagaev who was unbeaten and is the only fighter to defeat Valuev. He was also a two time gold medalist in the Olympics and twice defeated the great Cuban heavyweight Savon. He defeated Ibragimov who was also a champion and undefeated. He defeated Ray Austin and Danell Nicholson--no slouches. He got knocked out by Corrie Sanders who was 38-2 and a known dangerous fighter. No disgrace there.
Speaking of a nobody, take a look at Arreola. Who has this tub fought? Him going past six rounds would be momentus looking at his condition.
Haye has never fought anyone the size or skill level as Klitschko. I was hoping to see that fight transpire as I believe that Haye will have his head handed to him and his very large mouth shut.
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6-21-2009 @ 9:42PM
John said...
I'm surprised that your actually a boxing reporter!
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6-21-2009 @ 10:02PM
jon said...
The titles are in Europe right now and dont have American money involved. Things go on cycles and that is how it is right now. I think both the Klitschkos are very good and deserving champions. Wilimander needs to let loose a little.
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6-21-2009 @ 10:53PM
rabbichaimmoshe said...
Chagaev was hailed as the white tyson.he beat a man 75 pounds heavier and almost a foot taller than he.he dominated him better than holyfield.
ibragimov beat an american champion i believe in order to get his belt and klitchko dominated him.
his brother was leading lennox lewis when they stopped the fight due to his eye injury-wlady and vitaly are essentially similar.brewster who knocked him out has taken out many great fighters and sanders was a load. but he dominated peter and his record isn't any worse than lewis who lost to holyfield despite having a huge size advantage,klitchko eats up the smaller fighters.he can get stuck by a counterpuncher that takes a punch like sanders or brewster but they were no slouches and he redeemed himself quite well. who is david haye except some punk loud mouth who hasn't fought anyone in the heavyweight division.
today boxing in the heavyweights is dominated by former soviet union boxers.that is why you think klitchko is less than lewis. the truth is that wlady would have beaten lennox who was knocked out by hassim rachman-a journeyman ko'd by a 46 year old george foreman. i think this writer was half drunk when he wrote this article. klitchko is no ali, but neither were holmes, holeyfield, tyson or lewis whom klitchko would have easilly handled, as he did peter.
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6-21-2009 @ 10:56PM
rabbichaimmoshe said...
sorry i forgot it was moorer with foreman, but rachman was a journeyman.
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6-21-2009 @ 11:52PM
boxer129 said...
Yo Calvin Twatkins... You sound like a true MMA fan bashing boxing. How would Klitschko beating Haye make him better? HAYE ISN'T EVEN A REAL HEAVYWEIGHT. And don't get me started on Areola, he downright sucks. He's fat, and just sucks.
Speaking of sucks, AOL sportswrites fit that well.
Saying the real fight fans are in the US. Dude he sold 60,000 overseas, I don't think he needs the US.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:21AM
nomar said...
mr. watkins, there is a world outside the good ol' U.S. of A with 5.7 billion people, don't be an elitist. besides, who amongst the american heavyweights are skilled and bankable enough to beat and make the american fans watch against the klitch? not haye and definitely not arreola. klitchko should fight valuev next. right now, we american boxing fans will just be contented with the upcoming mayweather/marquez and mannypac/cotto bouts.
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6-22-2009 @ 3:41AM
corporal hiltz said...
Perhaps Calvin Watkins would like to face Klitschko? Since he has so little respect for him, he should call Klitschko out and see where that gets him!
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6-22-2009 @ 8:23AM
bigmoosedee said...
u no just because there is no USA heavyweight champ these so call experts/writers feel Klitschko isn't the real deal. he can't help it if there is no compititon. Roy Jones went through the same thing he had no compititon but because he's a USA fighter u all consider him 1 of the great ones give Klits his props! he's crushing these fighters! and for the record I live in the Bronx,NY and I'm BLACK!
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6-22-2009 @ 10:22AM
Lemonvoice said...
I cannot believe Mr Watkins has actually seen the fight. What I am reading could have been pulled together before the fight. For me that reflects the show-biz mentality that goes along with boxing in the States.
If Mr Watkins had seen the fight he would have actually seen an absolutely dominating Vlad who devastated his opponent - you even saw Vlad floating and dodging the attachs of Chagayev.
Finally - Mr Watkins - you do not have obviously any idea that meanwhile the real fans are outside of the States.
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6-25-2009 @ 1:16AM
Jason target said...
What a idiot. This is the sole reason why internet reports are worth dirt and goes on to expose what an ignorant useless report it is. Sport doesnt have any boundries. If the fight is good its worth fighting any where. Wladimir is one of the best boxing have produced. He and his brother Vlad dominate the sport because of their skills and not because of trash talk. Boxing is a sport where the heart matters a lot and when someone can puch as hard and as skillful as the klitschko brothers are its difficult to find good opponents in the ring. Even the talented ones look like no show. Remember the Ali, Tyson days the opponents looked as if they showed up to get beaten.
Next time if you ever write a report that gets published watch the fight with someone who has a knowledge of boxing skills and learn how the fight was fought. Ask others to teach you how to appreciate a good fight and for goodness sake let someone else comment on your thoughts before you pen down the garbage you call boxing report.
I hope the owners of the website take notice of how untalented this writer is and trash him as he deserves.
For a sports fan, good sport is always good anywhere in the world, played by anybody Boxing is special because only men who stand up fight.
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6-22-2009 @ 7:02PM
boobooze005 said...
Oh, come on, now, Calvin Watkins, don't you think it's time you addressed your own prejudices? Havn't you heard we have a black president? Stop your whining and accept the fact that the best heavyweights in the world are white, and foreign. Your arguments are so see-through. All foreign(read 'white') fighters are boring? Well, the Klitschkos have knocked out every domestic(read 'black )fighter that has stood in front of them, avoiding no one. You think David Haye is the answer? or Chris Arreola? Why don't you listen to a true boxing expert, Emmanuel Stewart, who says the Klitschkos are the best heavyweights in the world..........or are you color blind?
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6-23-2009 @ 1:41AM
blueimpraider said...
Klitchko is an excellent heavyweight champion. He got by early in his career on punching out his opponents, until he met up with boxers who could fight back.
It took Emanuel Steward, the best trainer in the sport, to show WK the complete skill set that has led to his great improvement. He and his brother are both great role models, who fight whoever is put in front of them. Also it is great to see one in the other's corner at every title fight. They are both smart, savvy athletles who have worked very hard to get to the top, and bring honor to Boxing.
So the only REAL question should be directed to the writer: What's YOUR PROBLEM, pal ?
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6-23-2009 @ 5:55PM
vladio said...
Finally, a group of people who actually undertsand what boxing is all about (sorry not you Mr Watkins).
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6-24-2009 @ 10:43AM
Ubermensch said...
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This article was written by an idiot who sounds like an embittered Haye fan. So Wlad is no good until he beats Haye or Arreola? He's been beating fighters who have had more stature at the time he fought them (many unbeaten,, such as Sam Peter, Chagaev, Ibragimov, Calvin Brock) than either Haye or Arreola and won. Now Haye is saying he can't fight until Sepember. So Wlad was supposed to just sit around and wait for him?
This kind of article isn't journalism, it's just jealousy and hate. And yes, racist.
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6-24-2009 @ 2:54PM
Wilson said...
It will take another Ali, Frazier, Lewis, Norton,Etc, to bring boxing back up, but Klitchko will never put boxing back on top.
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6-24-2009 @ 9:53PM
jax5269 said...
Calvin I don't know why anyone would pay you to write about boxing because you truly don't have a clue.
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6-25-2009 @ 10:33PM
johngermaine8 said...
Kilitscko is one of the best and would stand a good fight with anyone now and in the past.
For certain he is a better choice than Obama is for president as after he lets all the illegal immigrents take over this country next will prove.
It is simply too bad that such a stupid article is allowed to be written by such a person as Calvin. What an idiot. Where was he born?
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