by: José A Maldonado, MFA
They have been called the Klits, the Bitchkos, the Klitschko sisters, and everything between, but they prefer to be called Doctor Ironfist and Doctor Steelhammer. Yes, we’re talking about them, two of the most dominant champions the heavyweight division has ever seen. They have a combined record of 101-5-90 KOs. Together they have won many titles multiple times, including the WBA, WBO, IBF, WBC, IBO, EBU, and Ring Magazine belts. Vitali hasn’t lost in nine years, going 12-0-9 KOs over that span (though, to be fair, he left boxing for nearly four years during that period). Wladimir won an Olympic Gold in the 1996 Games and had his last loss in 2004. Both crush all comers, making their opposition look like amateurs in the process. And yet, it appears that every time a Klitschko fights, they have to be defended, almost justified, against the hordes who are quick to disregard their accomplishments.
One would be hard pressed to find a heavyweight champion in boxing history who has been so disrespected and unappreciated, much less two. They have been accused of ruining boxing, killing the heavyweight division, creating global warming, and even causing several oil spills (well, not really, but it seems like it).
Many point out that the Klitschkos’ opponents have been far from worthy title contenders. Wladimir’s last ten opponents had a combined record of 310-22-8-225 KOs (their record when they faced him, that is). That’s a winning percentage of over 91%. Vitali’s last ten were 327-15-3-240 KOs when they faced him, an even higher winning percentage of 94.8%. Not too shabby. Anyone recall Joe Louis’ Bum of the Month Club? A streak that allowed him to make a record 25 defenses of his heavyweight title? Besides, what are the 6’7 and 6’6 brothers supposed to do? Move down to super middleweight? Not fight anybody? Fight each other in a sport that can claim a life with one punch? They’re brothers.
Additionally, people say the Klitschkos wouldn’t be so good if only they weren’t so tall. That’s like arguing that Mike Tyson would never be champ had he not had punching power, or that Muhammad Ali was only good because of his quickness relative to his size. This may be true, but are they really Tyson or Ali without these tools? The Klitschkos’ size is a fundamental part of who they are and what they bring into the ring; take this element away and they cease to be Klitschkos, thus making that argument null and void.
Many complain about today’s celebrities and athletes, pointing to their hubris and frivolity as leading to society’s downfall. People rue the fact that individuals like the Kardashians, Snooki, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. are in the spotlight; yet we enable them by offering our full and undivided attention. We choose to read their every tweet, follow their every move, even going so far as to place a camera in their faces 24/7 (pun intended). While others beat girlfriends, face jail terms, and incite brawls, what do the Klitschkos do?
Aside from the aforementioned accomplishments in the ring, Vitali holds a Doctorate in Sports Science, a degree that took him four years to obtain. Wladimr speaks four languages and holds his Ph.D. in Sports Science as well. They are both involved in numerous humanitarian endeavors, including UNESCO. Vitali has vowed to fight corruption in the Ukraine by joining politics, aspiring to eventually become mayor of Kiev, Ukraine’s capital.
In other words, they are every parents’ dream: intelligent role models who are good at sports and avoid controversy. So what is it that people don’t like about them? Are people put off by their worldliness? Do the Klitschkos, being such accomplished individuals, exude a “holier-than-thou” attitude? Is it because they were not born in the United States?
My guess is that it’s a combination of these, plus this: they aren’t into gimmicks and “flashy flash”, as Wladimir would put it. Mayweather makes it rain in the clubs; Manny sings on late night shows; Ochocinco changes his name. The Klitschkos simply don’t play this game. Even Americans who focus on their craft and stay humble are susceptible to such neglect. Look at how Timothy Bradley, Andre Ward, and Robert Guerrero comport themselves, then look at how much attention they garner from the media and fans.
So while folks discuss the latest twitter bomb and blog about how much this or that fighter owes in child support, the Klitschkos are busy dominating the entire heavyweight division. Respect that. If you can’t, here’s a suggestion: get yourself a coach, train eight hours a day for a few years, waking up at 5 a.m. daily, adhering to a strict athlete’s diet, and beating contenders along the way, then call out a Klitschko and beat him in front of a soccer stadium full of people cheering against you. Should be easy, right?
José A Maldonado is senior staff writer at punchrate.com and a contributing writer for proboxinginsider.com
