Wladimir Klitschko.
For years, Americans cried for their 'great white hope,' though all the time their 'hopes' got crushed and outclassed by black fighters. Now, when a white man dominates the heavyweight division, it is 'at it's weakest point in history.' It isn't the fact that Klitschko is great that nobody can beat him to the American Boxing Media, but the idea that Klitschko is only the best out of a bad bunch.
What is the reason for this? Well, one reason could be that he's a Slav, and lots of people don't like Slavs (I know this the hard way, being a Slavic American), or the fact that he's European and that 'the great white hope' has to be American to be the hope. I hope Wladimir earns his spot in history but it is doubtful, considering when Muhammad Ali was reigning, the American Boxing Media really opened the curtain on him, so to speak, because even the non-boxing fan knows who Muhammad Ali is. 'It was because Ali had charisma. Klitschko does not.' There is no doubt Muhammad Ali was a very charismatic man back in the day, but it wasn't his charisma that got his popularity. He was an entertaining fight, so the media decides to show him to the public and praise him.
Now Wladimir Klitschko, if you've heard him speak, isn't quite the Ali but when he comes out of his Ivan Drago 'I must break you' shell, he is somewhat charismatic. But again, charisma isn't everything (which isn't what the boxing media would want you to realize) it's boxing. Since they aren't entertained by Klitschko, they hide him from the world so that he can't get praise. If the boxing media chose for Klitschko to be praised as the G.O.A.T., they could easily do that, but they don't want to.
Vitali is a different story. Talented fighter, top 20-25 HW of all time but rated fairly enough considering Wlad has fought tougher competition.
Wladimir is extremely underrated.
Sonny Liston is remembered more for his losses to Ali, rather then being one of the earlier greats of boxing.
Larry Holmes was incredible, and his record is proof, however unless enthusiasts of the sport, many people don't know the name.
I also believe Lennox Lewis has been disregarded a lot as illegitimate, when he decimated both Holyfield and Tyson who people usually pick as potential 'Greatests of all time,' He took out Tua, and beat the Klitchko. Reigning for an era, he dominated when the heavyweight division was still competative, retiring to leave the division for the Klitchko's only by default with no one of the same level left around.
Sonny Liston.........because too many rate him on only the two Ali fights and don't give him credit for the period he had to wait for a title shot from Patterson. His prime was probably 1959-60 and many would not fight him and many have said he would have given any heavyweight champion a very tough night.
I agree with Gene on Larry Holmes....On a good day in his prime, nobody could go 15 rounds with him.
Further, with the possible exception of Tommy Hearns, the baddest jab ever, including Ali's...
Jack Johnson, Jack Dempsey'S stock has gone down over the years..Not to long ago both were consensus top 5 or top 3 HWs.. Now many barely or dont put them in the top 10.
Today, I would say Gene Tunney. During his reign, I would say Larry Holmes...probably the effects of following Ali.
The great sonny liston. alota people just judge him from loosing to ali
