not even close
how quickly we all forget the Great Lennox Lewis, he fought nearly a perfect fight every time he had a top notch opponent
Lewis dominated the fearsome David Tua, obliterated the goliath Michael Grant, outworked the ageless Evander Holyfield, blasted out the highly touted (at the time) Anfrew Golota, manhandled the baddest man on the planet Mike Tyson,and pulled victory from the jaws of defeat against a prime Vitali Klitchko
oh, and he avenged his only defeats
his resume is far more impressive than either that of Wladi or his brother
so, i dont know if that makes him as smart academically, but it does in terms of boxing IQ.
Wladi is a front runner.....he is dominant when things are going his way....kind of the like the Houston Texans, but when faced with adversity, Wladi has usually come up short, although i will give him credit for getting up from the floor 3X vs Sam Peter
either way, Lweis could kick Wlad's @ss in a spelling bee, or in the ring. Lewis is the better man in every category.
Both Wlad and Vitali are exception to the rule IMO.Both are well educated, well spoken, well trained, well conditioned and at a height and reach advantage that is above and beyond for today's heavyweight division. However,IMO, Wlad cannot fight going backward and is flustered when put in this exchange situation. IMO,Vitali is the better of the two, but with his left arm hanging by his side, I see several past champions beating this version of heavyweight champion. Liston,Foreman, Holmes to start.
I would have to say he rates right up there with the intelligent heavyweights of the past. I would have to say he, Ali, and Patterson were the very intelligent ones. The others were not very far behind, Tyson is not one of these, or Big John Tate.
I will give the slight edge to Gene Tunney who was good friends with George Bernard Shaw see the book 'Boxing's brainiest champ' about Tunney
Gene Tunney is probably the most intelligent heavyweight of all time.
Wlad definitely is intelligent and educated but so was Gene Tunney
He's probably the best educated, the guy has a doctorate.
Ali invented the Rope-a-Dope..so i guess he is the most intelligent!
1.Ali
2.Joe Louis
3.Lennox Lewis
4.Evander Holyfield
5.Joe Frazier
6. Larry Holmes
Just because you have a doctorate does not make youoverly intelligent it does make you able to stick to something.
Ok... Boxing opinions aside.
Wladamir Klitschko can speak several languages, is highly educated, and has impeccable manners.. All this is a throwback to the standard trash talking heavies...
Was there a more intelligent heavyweight champion??
Opinions please...
