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Where does Klitschko rank among heavyweight boxing's greats?

26th November, 2015
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Wladmir Klitchsko might be set for some big time action in 2017. (Source: AFP / Patrik Stollarz)
Expert
26th November, 2015
46
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After a quick glance at heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko’s Wikipedia page, you will find a record that trumps boxing legends like George Foreman, Mike Tyson, and even Muhammad Ali.

It’s all there in plain black-and-white. The 39-year-old boxer holds a 64-3 record, is unbeaten in over a decade, and has sat on the throne as champion for nine-and-a-half years – a heavyweight title reign second only to Joe Louis’ streak in the 1930s and ’40s.

If records alone told the story, Klitschko would be regarded as boxing royalty.

Klitschko, who fights British steamroller Tyson Fury this weekend, is without a doubt the best heavyweight of this era.

Standing six-foot-six and weighing 110 kilos, the champion for the IBF, WBO, IBO, WBA, and The Ring magazine has absolutely dominated opponents with a ramrod jab and a brick fist of a right hand.

The ’96 Olympic gold medallist is clearly an outstanding boxer. But ruling over the modern heavyweight garbage bin with an iron fist can only get you so much adulation.

That isn’t to say Klitschko hasn’t had his share of tough matches. His record includes wins over five Olympic medallists, 12 current or former champions and 12 formerly unbeaten fighters, but his resume lacks a signature win or rivalry to define his place in history.

Ali had his greatest success as a boxer and cultural icon on the back of historic feuds and important clashes against the best of a generation.

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I find it hard to imagine Ali reaching the same lofty heights without classic battles with Joe Frazier and George Foreman.

Similarly, legendary knockout machine Rocky Marciano built his legacy in high stakes matches against Louis and Jersey Joe Walcott.

Even indestructible wrecking ball Tyson needed to crush Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick to springboard to superstardom.

The biggest test for Klitschko on the market today is without a doubt WBC heavyweight kingpin Deontay Wilder.

The 29-year-old American smashing machine is essentially the anti-Klitschko. He’s a fierce power puncher who never fails to get the fans’ blood pumping, which is underlined by the fact that he has won by knockout in 34 of his 35 matches.

Klitschko is clearly in the twilight of his career, so the clock is ticking on this important unification bout becoming a reality, but perhaps a win over Wilder is the missing scalp on Klitschko’s resume to push him into the upper echelon of all-time greats.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at my picks for the top 10 greatest heavyweights in history.

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10. Mike Tyson (50-6-0-2NC)
Undoubtedly one of the most feared fighters to ever strap on a pair of gloves, Tyson is considered the greatest attacking fighter in heavyweight history.

The five-foot-ten, 110-kilogram knockout artist once had the potential to top this, or any other list of great heavyweights. But a lack of discipline and battles with his own demons dashed those chances long ago.

9. Wladimir Klitschko (64-3)
Klitschko has earned a place on this list for being the second most accomplished heavyweight champ boxing has ever known.

The gigantic pugilist is in many ways being punished for being born into the wrong era. It seems like a no-brainer that Klitschko could at the very least hold his own against the sport’s greatest.

With his size, power, and technical striking chops it seems a given that the Ukrainian king could best several legends of the game, but without those names filling out his record it would be ridiculous to push him any higher up this list.

8. Lennox Lewis (41-2-1)
The only British-born lineal heavyweight champion of the 20th century, Lewis was one of the most impressive physical specimens to grace the boxing ring – blending power and athleticism to become one of the best ever.

The former Olympic and Commonwealth Games gold medallist had an outstanding amateur career, and an even better one as a pro, scoring wins over the likes of Tyson, Riddick Bowe, and Evander Holyfield.

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7. Larry Holmes (69-6)
The owner of perhaps the best jab in boxing history, Holmes was stuck in the shadow of the biggest stars in the sport for a big chunk of his career.

Once dismissed as “just Muhammad Ali’s sparring partner”, Holmes certainly shattered that perception, lodging 20 successful title defences and becoming one of only five to ever defeat the great Ali.

6. George Foreman (76-5)
Long before he was the face of the fat-reducing grill, ‘Big George’ carved a legacy between the boxing ropes.

While Foreman will forever be linked to the ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ against Ali, the hard-hitting big man has a Hall of Fame career even without his most famous match.

A two-time champ of the world, Foreman also holds the distinction of being the oldest fighter to win the heavyweight title at 45.

5. Rocky Marciano (49-0)
Despite weighing in at a slim 86 kilos – a cruiserweight by today’s standards – Marciano is one of the biggest punchers ever seen, winning by knockout in 43 of his 49 matches for an 87.75 percent finish ratio.

The only heavyweight champ to retire undefeated, Marciano had a short career as a relentless pressure fighter, winning the division’s top prize and defending it six times before hanging up his gloves.

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4. Joe Frazier (32-4-1)
The city of Philadelphia currently has a 10-foot tall bronze statue of fictional brawler Rocky Balboa. The city’s real champion doesn’t have a comically large sculpture, but he does have a place in boxing’s history books.

‘Smokin’ Joe’ is best remembered for his trilogy with Ali, the final of which ‘The Thrilla in Manila’, is one of the most brutal championship fights ever documented.

3. Jack Johnson (73-13-10-5NC)
The first African-American heavyweight champ, Johnson broke down racial barrier after racial barrier during his glory days.

With a storied career as a ‘world coloured champion’ long before he got to fight for the real deal, Johnson proved to be the best of his era, combining technique, skill, power and footwork to collect 40 knockout wins.

2. Joe Louis (66-3)
‘The Brown Bomber’ reigned as champ from 1937-1948 for a total of 11 years, eight months, eight days.

If that weren’t enough to justify his position near the top, Louis defended the title 25 consecutive times – more than anyone else in history, as well.

1. Muhammad Ali (56-5)
To little surprise, the self-proclaimed ‘greatest’ tops this list. Perhaps the most known athlete in history, Ali transcended boxing and ushered in a golden age of boxing.

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The charismatic former champ didn’t match Louis’ lengthy title run but wins over Frazier (#4), Foreman (#6), Ken Norton, Floyd Patterson, Archie Moore and Sonny Liston make him the undisputed best.

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