Most of the dissension over the past few years has resulted from my insistent — and many would say misguided — viewpoint that the unbeaten resume compiled by Sven Ottke during his unbeaten championship years at super middleweight is indeed Canastota worthy.
But I don’t take it personally.
I’m right. They’re wrong. No irreparable harm done.
And none of the rigmarole has swayed me from trying it once again…albeit in a different form.
Rather than breaking down the 2011 ballot and plucking the 10 or so names that warrant even moderately intense scrutiny for enshrinement next summer, I’ve decided instead to dust off the crystal ball and make the calls a few years — or decades — in advance.
A few of the picks are no-brainers, which leaves me eminently qualified, but I’ve also attempted to up the ante with a call or two on guys nowhere near the prominence of a Mayweather or Pacquiao.
Perhaps when the time comes in 2030, I’ll be viewed as a prescient genius.
Or perhaps the piece will be the one thing the never-weres will cling to when insisting to disbelieving grandkids, “No really, I was a professional boxer.”
Either way…here goes.
WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO — A champion of one alphabet or another for all but three of the past 12 years, the multi-dimensional Ukrainian is perennially undervalued by a jingoistic U.S. fan base. But his dominance of the division since stopping Chris Byrd in 2006 is worthy of comparison to any marquee division title claimant since the fading of Larry Holmes. Don’t hate the opposition, folks. Love the way in which a great fighter makes a good one look silly.
ANTONIO TARVER — OK, this one’s a little tougher for me because it’s Tarver — never one of my favorites — as opposed to Klitschko, whom I’ve always liked and admired. Still, that doesn’t take away from the fact that as a 42- year-old past elite, the “Magic Man” woke up the echoes for a dominant stoppage of Danny Green to become a top dog in a second weight class. Defend 10 or more times in one class or win a legitimate belt in two, and, in my eyes at least, you’re as good as in.
ISMAYL SILLAKH — Call it a wild guess, a shot in the dark or a premature tilt at a windmill, but there’s something about the 26-year-old Ukrainian-turned- Californian that’s got me seeing stars. Yes, I know he’s never been within 100 yards of a title fight and the biggest name on his resume might be Daniel Judah, but something about the way the kid called out Hopkins after blasting Judah in two rounds makes me think he’s got more up his sleeve than perhaps even he knows.
