Klitschko Thinking about a Come Back
Unless you’ve been lodged under a rock or somewhere guarding Jimmy Hoffa’s bones, you know that the heavyweight division is back in a major way. For years, the marquee division of boxing lay dormant as casual fans largely put the sport down and moved on. With the emergence of Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and a number of other intriguing fighters, the heavyweights have once again caught the attention of the general public.
SAFETY FIRST BRUISER
Ironically, former undisputed heavyweight kingpin Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko (64-5, 53 KO’s) is flirting with the notion of a comeback. It’s ironic because despite ruling the division with an iron fist for roughly ten years, his reign was absolutely despised by countless individuals. Klitschko’s safety first, ‘jab-grab-and-hold’ method of operation was almost nauseating to hardcore action fans.
It’s only appropriate that when he finally lost his four belts to Tyson Fury, in 2015, it was in one of the most boring meaningful fights that many aficionado’s had ever seen. Dr. Steelhammer would sit out two years and then return to a knockout loss at the hands of Anthony Joshua. Ever since that final 2017 defeat, Klitschko has remained retired. However, the former champion is certainly giving the impression that he is thinking about making a return.
RETURN OF AN ICON?
Utilizing his official Twitter account, Klitschko has made a number of teaser posts inquiring what his fans feel about a number of potential prizefights. In these posts, he has theorized fights with himself against Wilder, Fury and Anthony Joshua. Obviously these are the biggest names in the division.
The first major question is: does the 43-year-old, long-retired pugilist even have a shot at beating any of these men? He’s already lost to two of them as is. The next major question is: who in the world wants Dr. Steelhammer to come back? As previously mentioned, the style that garnered him the most success in his career was near universally loathed by the boxing public.
It’s not like it’s a reasonable assumption to believe Klitschko is coming back to stay. Obviously Dr. Steelhammer could use his name value to skip to the front of the heavyweight title line, but to what end? Can anyone say that they honestly foresee him tangling with the big three back-to-back? So, if he isn’t returning to truly sit upon the throne, does anyone want Klitschko gumming up the gears of production just as the division is getting hot only for him to grab another quick payday?
Personally, for this scribe, the answer is a sturdy and resounding NO!
By: Bakari Simpson
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