Vitali Klitschko: What's Next and What's Left for the Champ at 40?
by Scott Christ on Sep 11, 2011 12:49 PM EDT
in Boxing Commentary & Opinion
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After yesterday's one-sided beatdown of a brave and respected but undersized Tomasz Adamek in Poland, 40-year-old Vitali Klitschko is facing dwindling options for a next opponent. Given his age and the fact that his body has betrayed him in the past, and we saw a bit of a stumble yesterday with his leg giving out underneath him at one point, there's not a lot of time left in what has been a great career, one that has seen Klitschko, like his brother, beat those who were put in front of him.
It has been a dominant comeback for Klitschko, who returned to the ring in 2008 after a four-year layoff due to injury. Many expected him to come back and be good, but as he came in to immediately face WBC heavyweight titleholder Samuel Peter, more than a few thought the comeback would be cut short by the Nigerian power puncher.
Instead, Klitschko put on a classic performance, punishing Peter with brutally hard jabs all night, until Peter retired from the fight after eight rounds. He didn't lose a second of the fight, let alone a round. "Dr. Ironfist" was back, refreshed and recharged.
Since then, no one has given him a challenge. Juan Carlos Gomez came to win ugly, and wound up beaten down. Chris Arreola came to make a fight, and did, but was punished for his slothful ways by the well-conditioned, highly intelligent Vitali. Kevin Johnson just showed up and did nothing more. Albert Sosnowski and Shannon Briggs, like Adamek and Arreola, were game and gave their all, but were nowhere near Vitali's level. And Odlanier Solis went down inside three minutes with a knee injury.
Where do we go from here? There's but one answer.
Like it or not, David Haye is the only opponent for Vitali Klitschko.
Yes, that David Haye. The David Haye who spent three years talking a big game, taunting the Klitschkos, insulting and angering them, and finally showed up to fight Wladimir in July, and put in a lousy non-performance.
David Haye has decided to postpone his retirement (as we all expected he would) -- if he can fight one of the Klitschkos. And he says he'll fight Vitali.
We know Vitali wants it. The more emotional, more hot-headed of the Klitschko brothes, Vitali has stated clearly that he wants to knock out David Haye and finish the job Wladimir started in Germany on July 2.
Make no mistake, there is still big money in Klitschko vs Haye. Some feel there is unfinished business. And Haye is a good talker, one who can, if nothing else, annoy enough fans with his boasting and guarantees of knockouts to get them to tune in to see if Vitali can take his head off, which Wladimir did not. The Klitschko vs Haye rivalry is real, and is not quite over.
That is, unless David Haye wants it to be over.
The one thing that could prevent this from happening is the fact that contracts to fight the Klitschkos are a bit demanding of the opponents, and in the views of more opponents than just David Haye, equate to "slave contracts," where to fight Vitali or Wladimir, you have to sacrifice future options and control of your own career. Given that they're the big dogs in terms of money and prestige in the division, they have the right to dictate terms to extreme levels.
If Haye, who was always unwilling to go in for a one-sided deal before, is now of the mindset that he has this fight or nothing else, the fight will happen.
If he's not, it won't.
In my view, and I know many won't feel this way, it's the only fight for Vitali Klitschko. And I still think -- I've got my armor on -- as I've said for years, Vitali is the better matchup for David Haye between the two brothers.
And if it's not David Haye, then who would you like to see in with Vitali?
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Honestly, I’d prefer another Arreola shot before Haye, under the assumption that Arreola’s new-found dedication is not just some passing whim of his. I can’t think of much that Haye could change that would help him much against VK
On the other hand, Haye stank up the joint so badly that it’s hard to imagine that he’d have any bargaining power at all, so Klitschko could be in a position to dictate any terms he wants.
Ordinarily, I’d expect Haye to have to climb his way up into contention by earning another title shot (maybe against Arreola? That would be quite a show). But, to get back to your point, VK would end up on the sidelines without an opponent, continuing to go to seed. It’s hard to believe he’s 40.
Why can’t Solis get another chance?
That’s what I’m curious about, and I have no doubt you’re right.
I just don’t want to see Haye walk into another opportunity; he had marginal claim to the first one, and blew it bigtime.
Marginal claim to the first one?
don’t agree with that
by Sweet science on Sep 11, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d have to disagree with all of you on your points here.
His claim was marginal because it was built on the Valuev fight, and an awful lot of reprehensible talk.
He landed much more than just one punch against Klitschko, though, and had he not been followed into the ring by his personality, compounded by those weird stumbles and collapses, I think his performance would be rated higher than it is. But he brought the criticism on himself.
I think his defense was what you would expect from someone that much smaller, who is pretty good: a lot of reflexive dodging, and it worked fine, expect that it didn’t dazzle and befuddle Klitschko, andhe got hit with enough, often enough and hard enough, to make him realize that being slick wouldn’t do it.
I actually think that he did more than just defend; he kept trying to land good shots, and occasionally succeeded, but not often enough or with any power. He kept outside, maybe because of Klitschko’s power, and that made him have to lunge a lot.
Haye is quick and skilled, but I don’t think he had much claim to that fight. And the second half of the fight, and even more in the last third, he resorted to collapsing when they got close, pretty much gave up really trying to get to Klitschko, and these tarnished his effort.
I still don’t think he merits another shot without earning it.
Exactly.
He landed ONE good punch in their fight. ONE.
I’ve never considered myself as a legend – just a simple man with heart.
He had as much of a right to a shot as anyone else in that abysmal division.
Haye may deserve all of the crap he gets off fans but lets not lie and pretend that the guy is worse than he actually is and can’t fight, because he can. Just not against guys as good and as big as the Klits.
He talked himself up and failed to deliver, so he deserves to be ridiculed but he’s really a cruisrweight after all and i would still pick him over anyone in that division.
I would certainly pick him to beat Adamek too. He’s much more talented and powerful.
Imo, he wasn’t quite as bad as most make out in the Wlad fight. I thought his defence and reflexes were very good.
He just didn’t do what he said he was going to do, and for that he deserves to be criticised.
He’s still a good fighter though.
by Matt Mosley on Sep 12, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He thought his defense against Klitschko was great, actually. He did a lot to neutralize Wlad’s advantages. He did nothing to capitalize on that, though, and that was his downfall. I’ve said since then I don’t think I’d pick anyone in the division besides the Klitschkos to beat David Haye, and I stand by that. Yes, he deserves the ridicule, because he talked himself into that. But he’s a good fighter and people were clamoring for Klitschko vs Haye for three years.
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by Scott Christ on Sep 12, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Helenius has deserved a shot as much as anyone else atm. He won’t be ready, but no one else would be.
I’d like Vitali to fight Povetkin, if only to see if the WBA will have the guts to announce two “Superchamps” afterwards.
I know you hate me for mentioning this, but don’t count out Valuev as an opportunity. He’s still the freakshow-master, and he might well come back for one big money-fight.
Solis did well until he fell, but he disappointed many fans. He’d need some good comeback-fights before gaining his rematch. And it might be too late by then.
"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter
DrHendrik, you are a man after my own heart. I thought of Valuev also. I’d like to see it. I’m one of maybe two or three people who thought he won against Haye.
I think also that Povetkin would be a good match. Helenius, maybe not so much. But he’s there, so why not?
As Max Kellerman brought it up yesterday,I want to see Helenius. I think he’s number 3 at heavyweight right now
He would be good also.
Helenius to me always looks like a really bad fighter who suddenly does something terrific, and this happens not just once per fight, but repeatedly in every fight.
But I think he would get slaughtered by either Klitschko; that left jab of theirs has gotten more and more of my attention as time has gone by. It keeps everyone off,and kept Adamek off last night. It must be memorable to get hit by it.
I think Helenius, while a big, strong, and able fighter, would find himself on the end of that jab too many times.
He's MechaPavlik
I agree with you though. Long-term, I think Fury and Pulev and possibly the Ukranian guy whose name I can’t remember will be better, but Helenius at least is the closest to being ready right now.
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by Brickhaus on Sep 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Glazkov I think
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Sep 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
True.
But a Helenius/Wladimir match is just so much intriguing.
I’ve never considered myself as a legend – just a simple man with heart.
Vitali will take one more fight and then retire and I suspect will go into politics in the Ukraine (Kiev). I sense it might have something to do with his father;s untimely and tragic death. Just a hunch. As for who he fights, I sense he wants Haye, but may have to settle for something else. Won’t much matter because he will beat down whoever it is.
"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity." - Mike Quarry
I'm assuming money still matters
If it’s one more for the road, its not legacy he needs to concern himself with. He has it, more than Vlad in fact. His valiant effort against Lewis won’t be forgotten. And no one around is going to beat him
If he fights Haye, its because HE gets a lot of money. Not because Haye deserves it or VK may need it. It happens only on VK’s terms IF he decides the numbers are right.
As for Haye, Fuck him. He stunk up my TV and everytime there is another heavyweight fight, I can still smell it.
"Silence is golden when you can't think of a good answer"
---- Muhammed Ali
by pakinpower on Sep 11, 2011 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
That's a point
VK surely can dictate the terms of what’s going to happen. And there’s one point about the Adamek-fight that leaves me wondering: why did Vitali go to Poland? I doubt that it was for the money as he’s drawing big in Germany too. Was it for the thrill, for the legacy? Does he want to be talked about as the one who went anywhere to fight anyone?
I just read about an interview VK gave on british TV. He said that it was his dream to fight in Wembley. Go to GB to knock Haye out there. Looks like he really wants to know how far he can go on his old days.
"Sure, there have been injuries and deaths in boxing – but none of them serious." Alan Minter
I just don't think Haye deserves another shot, let alone the big payday he would get.
Imagine he fights Vitali just like he fought Wlady or even Valuev?
Boxing, especially the HW division, doesnt need that.
Im all up for VK knocking this coward out though. What a waste of time he was.
I’ve never considered myself as a legend – just a simple man with heart.
I thought about the money issue as well, although the idea leaked through my sieve-like brain while I was posting.
Given the lack of stories linking either Klitschko with drugs and whoring, I would guess that neither is in trouble, so I wonder how much urgency there would be to the4 matter of money.
Bermane Stiverne won a “WBC eliminator”, so if it isn’t Haye, I’m assuming it will be Stiverne, who I’ve basically never heard of. I youtubed him a bit and he resembles Hasim Rahman a bit in physique and style, but I don’t think he’s got anything for Vitali. The elder Klitschko is the last fighter on the planet that you’d want to be banking on knocking out.
The rest of the WBC top 15 is riddled with anonymous guys and journeymen, bizarre really. The few up and comers there are: Boytsov, Helenius, Fury, and Wach, are nowhere near ready for someone of Vitali’s level.
Unfortunately
Stiverne doesn’t belong in the same ring as Solis much less Klitschko.
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"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
by Brickhaus on Sep 11, 2011 4:26 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I agree. He’s got nothing besides an apparently heavy punch. He wouldn’t even get close to either Klitschko.
He wouldn’t even get close to either Klitschko.
He barely got close to Ray Austin, let alone the two bloody Klitschkos!
"Occasionally, there is a boxing match that, in its demonstration of skill, courage, intelligence, hope, seems to redeem the sport - almost. Perhaps boxing has always been a sport in crisis, a sport of crisis."
by Oli Goldstein on Sep 11, 2011 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
What needs to be asked, what one earth is going to happen to the heavyweight division after Wald and Vitali retire… There simply a suckitude of mediocre fighters that in my estimation aren’t worthy to be considered belt holders.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
We’ll all just pay more attention to other divisions, which have labored under the ponderous shadow of the HW.
I remember when Benvenuti, Griffith, Dick Tiger, Duran, Leonard, Hagler, Hearns, etc. etc. got lots of attention. This is boxing.
We have a lot of really good guys fighting now, just like it’s always been.
Helenius for the hel of it
or Steve Cunningham for the fun of it.
All I want is to see is Adamek fight Haye, but I guess that’s too much to ask.
Who cares who VK or WK fight they’re just going to run through them, we’ve all accepted it, the better conversation is which of these other guys are going to fight each other.
Helenius number three heavyweight? What? Haye is still a good boxer he’s just an idiot and Adamek is solid too, I’m not ready to put Helenius or Povetkin in front of either one of them
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Agreed
I don’t see any of the heavyweight’s in the top ten ranking’s that can compete with these two guys. Helenius and Povetkin are good just not good enough at the moment. The brother that appear to be the most beatable is Wladimir but his big bro as slow and awkward as he is has got the skills to pay the bills and just too much for the American heavyweights today. I only watch them now in hopes of seeing someone land a solid punch on either of them.
by Wade4President on Sep 12, 2011 6:33 AM EDT up reply actions
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