How do you rank Wlad Klitschko historically?

I have him 9th or 10th on my list. His reign was boring as hell and while the era afterwards has been way more entertaining the quality we've seen has only made Wlad look good in my opinion.

 

6-10 or 11-15, need to think about it before I commit to a pick. He’s basically right around that top 10 mark.

Extremely dominant long reign, but it was a terrible era with poor opposition (not his fault), and he was a complete bore to watch with a very predictable style (his fault)

 

6-10

 

11-15

He would likely beat some of the guys i rank ahead of him like Marciano and Frazier.

Yet i can't rank him any higher due to the outright illegal holding tactics. Sorry but he doesn't go unbeaten for 10 years without those appalling tactics.

I will say two positive things though: his power and athleticism were outrageously good and he beat more quality southpaws than anyone else in heavyweight history.

 

Its not so much the size but the way he fought them. I give him credit for dismantling Byrd since he did that fair and square. But i can't give any credit for the Povetkin win. Had he actually fought him and beaten him fair and square instead of clinching, he might have ended in my all time top 10.

 

There are only 3 heavyweights whom I rank clearly ahead of Wlad - Ali, Louis and Holmes. Then there is a group where I rank Wlad, Lewis, Foreman, Johnson and (hate to say this) Marciano. Holyfield arguably belongs here too and is clearly ahead anyone in this group P4P

 

11-15.

Great fighter. Boring as bat**** to watch but his record and longevity are there for all to see.

 

Is this All time, or just at HW?
I gather hw, so I have him top 10. His longevity and defenses should not be overlooked.

Some have usyk as the goat despite beating a few bums at cruiser and having Joshua and Fury on his resume

 

Outside the top ten. Too fragile and opposition was bad. Great fighter though.

 

The fact that he never tried to rematch and avenge his losses and preferred to send his bigger brother in has to work against him

The most dangerous puncher he fought during his reign was probably Haye a blown up cruiser

10-15 for me

 

Voted 10-15 but 6-10 is perfectly fine too.

With Joshua's losses to Ruiz and Dubois, Fury going life and death with an MMA fighter, It puts things in perspective. Whether you like the talent pool in the division or not, these guys are HWs, one punch really can change it all. Going a decade undefeated while most of the time taking on the best available opponent, unifying all the available belts and defending them regulary, is very very impressive.

 

1. Lennox
2. Ali
3. Louis
4. Foreman
5. Wlad
6. Holmes
7. Holyfield
8. Tyson
9. Frazier
10. Marciano
11. Johnson
12. Dempsey
13. Vitali

Usyk will be top 5 after his retirement

Fury imo top 15

 

he was a good fighter,but did he have the all round skills to be a top ten,yes the ten year title reign is impressive,but which opponent can you say would be a top ten,i do not think he would be able to beat Rocky Marciano who is probably sitting at number one

 

I'd go 11-15 off the top of my head. I think his brother would have beaten him. If that's the case, he wasn't even the best heavyweight of his time. However he was a long time unified champion who faced everybody else. Great champion but wouldn't be at the top of my list.