The eight years he spent being enlightened by the late Emanuel Steward proved to be worth its weight in gold?
Ladies and gentlemen, it?s been made official. One of the finest boxers of the last decade and a half has officially retired. Sometime on Thursday, former undisputed heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KO?s) posted a personal message of gratitude toward the sporting public and vaguely discussed his plans for the future. Chances may lean towards a career akin to that of his older brother, former heavyweight champion Vitali in their respective homeland of Ukraine. In any case, thanks and goodwill are due in the direction of the 6-foot-6-inch former champion from Kiev.
Whether in terms of fan appreciation or an eye for a textbook style of understanding for the sweet science, Klitschko will certainly be missed by more than just a few. A gold medalist at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, Wladimir was able to carve out a line of title defenses as a professional fighter that is second only to the late, great Joe Louis. Nearly ten years, to be a bit more specific.
That which is not broken doesn?t need to be fixed, to be put plainly and the fact that Klitschko?s bouts were able to fill soccer stadia across various points in Europe will only help to cement his legacy. To be fair, many fans as well as members of the boxing media grew, well, weary of Wlad?s approach to some of his nights in the ring. The ?jab, jab, jab, hard right? technique didn?t excite everyone, yet the eight years he spent being enlightened by the late Emanuel Steward proved to be worth its weight in gold.
He seemed unbeatable to some, yet undermatched to others. All of that changed in late 2015 when Tyson Fury literally stood taller and fired away to a pinch?s worth greater affect and became the first individual to defeat Wladimir Klitschko in the ring since the spring of 2004. The contest itself of course was no barnburner and not much to savor, per many a boxing purist. A night?s worth of hugs, clinches and a few punches. Fury prevailed via unanimous decision and perhaps more cringeworthy than his efforts in the ring may have been his pipes. However, many of us may have chosen to sing if we?d just captured the most coveted prize in professional sports. Yes, in the right hands it?s still the most sought after accolade in the game today. A rematch was not to be and with good cause as well. Fury managed to fall off the proverbial deep end, after which he pulled himself out only to jump off once again.
Wlad had just passed his forty-first birthday when he entered the ring in London last April to face unbeaten IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. The massive crowd in Wembley Stadium poured their hearts and souls into making the evening one to savor. Of course, we all know what took place that crisp, springtime evening in northwest London. Fairly and to some degree soundly, Klitschko was defeated in a memorable contest that allowed two heavyweights to truly display their vast array of talent. The contest was stopped in the eleventh round and Joshua maintained his perfect record of nineteen victories with as many knockouts to his credit.
Although a rematch or at least the talk of it would undoubtedly surface, enough was seen out of both competitors in April to take an educated guess at the likely outcome. Perhaps in fewer than eleven rounds this time, Klitschko would be defeated once again, after which he?d likely retire and with good reason to do so.
Fans, friends and fellow writers, we did not need a second match between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko. According to some news outlets, the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas was reserved for a November date for the second meeting. Perhaps Wlad knew that it was time to pass the torch. We as individuals can change all we like, yet alongside Mother Earth is Father Time. They?re both unbeaten and will never be tested, especially as we move towards electric cars and safer emissions, but that?s for another day and argument.
Wladimir, thank you. The same cannot be said for everyone, but this writer will miss you. You carried a simple philosophy with you, which is being the heavyweight champion of the world is a job which is to be taken seriously and respected. In a weight class where poundage upon the scale is irrelevant, you did it the right way through training, nutrition and education. Whether quiet or noisy, you may go into the night any way you choose. We likely know the obvious choice.
