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04/26/2004 Archived Entry: "Why Vitali's Size Does Matter"
Why Vitali's Size Does Matter
By Frank Lotierzo
Over the last few years I have been very adamant about the size of today's top heavyweight fighters. I believe that this so called era of super-heavyweights is way overblown. I believe that the top ten from other era's could've fought with and beat the top ten of today. Don't take this wrong, size is definitely a factor, but it's only huge if a fighter can't fight.
As far as I'm concerned, Lennox Lewis was the only outstanding/great heavyweight who was bigger than Ali, Foreman, and Holmes. Riddick Bowe had the potential to be something special regarding Heavyweights's over 6'4" 230. It just so happens that his body of work wasn't complete enough in my opinion to be included. He was every bit as skilled as Lewis, and maybe even more so, but he just didn't put together the overall resume that Lewis did. At this time new;y crowned WBC Champ Vitali Klitschko is the fighter perceived to be the top heavyweight in the World. I guess I have to be included among them. Based on the fact that at the present time there isn't another heavyweight out there who I would pick to beat him head-to-head. Vitaly stands 6'7" and weighs over 240 pounds with a long reach, has power, outstanding mental toughness, complimented by a very sturdy chin. I believe in the case of Vitali Klitschko, size does matter. First of all there isn't another really big Heavyweight currently fighting who is anything special. Too me this makes him the only really good super big guy. This can not be overlooked and is the main reason why Vitali is regarded as the top fighter in the division. It's not that he is so great or outstanding, it's just that he brings a lot to the ring for today's top fighters to over come. If you look at the fighters who are more skilled them him and have the basics and foundation to beat him, they're just not big or strong enough. Fighters like Byrd, Toney, and Jones have it all over him as far as fighters go, but their lack of size, strength, and power makes it a very steep mountain for them to climb if they were to fight him. On the other hand, the fighters that have the size to compete with him like Ruiz, Rahman, Johnson, and McCline just aren't good enough. Although they may have the weight and strength to compete, their overall game just isn't there for me to envision them coming out on top. What Klitschko has going for him besides his size is that he is very tough mentally. It's amazing how just a short time ago many including yours truly questioned his character and make up after he fought Chris Byrd. One thing is certain, he sure has changed that perception. Mental toughness of a fighter is huge and can never be taken lightly or overlooked. This alone makes it a monumental task for the likes of some of the other fighters in the division to hurdle when facing him. Couple the size and toughness with the fact that he has tremendous stamina, and it's easy to see why he's looked upon as the fighter to beat in the division. I must admit that I have been very impressed by Vitali's stamina. For a fighter as big as him, it's outstanding. In the case of Klitschko, his size does matter. What you have is a big strong fighter with tremendous heart and stamina with some ability, fighting in a division where many of the other titlist and contenders style's have a few glaring weakness and short comings. This is why it's so easy to realize that his size is such a factor. In the final analysis I must admit, I'm not blown away by Vitali Klitschko the fighter. I think he is only a fair boxer and his power I believe may be a trifle overrated. I doubt that he'll ever be regarded in the same reverence as Holyfield, Lewis, and Tyson. However, I do consider him a damn good heavyweight fighter with possibly his biggest fights ahead of him. I can certainly see why many consider him the fighter to be reckoned with in this current heavyweight division. However, that is mainly based on his size and toughness along with him being caught in a very depleted era. That's not taking a shot at him either, it's just the truth.
Replies: 3 Comments on this article
Klitschko beat a fat old man who was obviously just there for the payday and quite frankly didn’t look all that great doing so. Vitali looked to me to be breathing pretty hard quite early in a fight where he was facing an opponent who was hard pressed to throw more than thirty punches a round. You have to give Sanders credit for showing some heart but he was holding his hands at his hips and winging haymakers like a drunken biker, he appeared incapable of fighting for more than about 20 or30 seconds out of every round without getting winded. What's so pathetic is the fact that he was actually giving Klitschko some trouble and managed to rock him a few times. I like how everyone is now talking about how “tough” Vitali is, based on what exactly? We are talking about the same guy who quit while way ahead against the light hitting Chris Byrd right? It’s easy to look good when you are ahead dishing it out and winning but don’t be surprised if history repeats itself and Vitali folds the next time he finds himself in a fight where things aren’t going his way and he starts getting pounded. If the situations were reversed I don’t see him standing in there and being able to take the abuse that Sanders was taking without throwing in the towel just like he did against Byrd. Lampley and Merchant couldn't get their heads any further up Klitschko's ass if their lives depended on it. It will be funny seeing how fast they jump off the Vitali bandwagon when he loses. They did the same thing with Michael Grant and Wladimer. When they were winning Lampley practically had to be restrained from leaping into the ring to kiss their asses but as soon as they lost he couldn't distance himself from them and start trashing them fast enough. The only reason that Vitali looks even halfway decent at all is the fact that we are in an era where John Ruiz, the most pathetic excuse for a “champion” ever, is a two time titleholder.
Posted by goldust @ 04/26/2004 06:21 PM EST
I agree with you on Vitali's mental toughness but disagree about his stamina.I think he has poor stamina and is an 8 round fighter in a tough contest.Vitali was pretty tired in the Sanders fight and wasn't taking near as much punishment.He was on the verge of being stopped in the Lewis fight had it continued wich would have been the 7th or 8th.Also Roy Jones or James Toney would beat Vitali and Chris Bird already did.
Posted by Paul Rochester Michigan @ 04/26/2004 05:07 PM EST
Totally agree with the author. Vitali's biggest strength is his size in this weak era!
Posted by KLS @ 04/26/2004 10:11 AM EST
