Larry Merchant's take on the Klitschkos

“That’s clearly true,” said television analyst Larry Merchant, referring to the suggestion the Klitschkos aren’t exciting to watch. “They used to say the same thing about Lennox Lewis. The fact is these are the new era of super heavyweights. They don’t fight like 190- to 215-pound heavyweights. Physiologically they can’t fight that way.

“You don’t see 7-footers running up and down the court in basketball the way 6-footers do. Super heavyweights have sort of changed the way heavyweights fight. It’s just the evolution of sports – bigger, stronger, faster.”

AND

(if they were american) “They’d be on the cover of all the American magazines and no one would be complaining about the heavyweights,” Merchant said.


http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1970/its_about_time_the_klitschkos_receive_some_credit/

pretty much agree with everything Larry said

Boxing isnt doing as bad as the american press says, the sport is thriving overseas better than ever it seems, the Klits are smart to make 10 + million fight in front of huge crowds and destroy this sad heavyweight division. Cant blame em

its funny everyones giving their take on the Klits right know

I am one of the few that think Vitali Klitschko is the better of the Klitschko's, I think Vitali is the best Haevyweight Champ right know.

I've been saying the same thing as Larry for years now...

are you as drunk as Larry when you say it??

I hope to someday be as drunk as Larry on a daily basis. I would surmise you have to start your day with a couple of bloody marys, afternoon martinis, and then really get it going around dinner time.

hahhaha and then your on to your straight whiskey for the fight

Larry doesn't appear to be taking shots plastered. He just seems to have that "I drink all day but I can hold my liquor, drunk appearance".

and thats why we love him

lol. Larry is that drunk uncle we all have. Ticked off and a little sauced up. Gotta love it.

I love when he has that one sentence that takes about 3 minutes hehahaha , best ever was when he said that a refereee should be pistol whipped hahah

lol, Larry is great. In the dictionary under long-winded is a picture of him.

ill agree vitali is the better of the two even though wlad does a few things better....im not going along with all lary said but some of it yes.

Canvas wrote:

“That’s clearly true,” said television analyst Larry Merchant, referring to the suggestion the Klitschkos aren’t exciting to watch. “They used to say the same thing about Lennox Lewis. The fact is these are the new era of super heavyweights. They don’t fight like 190- to 215-pound heavyweights. Physiologically they can’t fight that way.

“You don’t see 7-footers running up and down the court in basketball the way 6-footers do. Super heavyweights have sort of changed the way heavyweights fight. It’s just the evolution of sports – bigger, stronger, faster.”

AND

(if they were american) “They’d be on the cover of all the American magazines and no one would be complaining about the heavyweights,” Merchant said.


http://www.ringtv.com/blog/1970/its_about_time_the_klitschkos_receive_some_credit/

I don't fault the Klits for the dismal HW division, but I don't buy Merchant's explanation. I think he's trying to sell the fights for HBO. I say these things for the following reasons. 1. Lennox Lewis not exciting to watch? Well, let's look at that. He knocked out Razor Ruddock in 2. Andrew Golata in 1. 3. His "KO one -two" punch against Hassan Rachman might've been the best I've ever seeen. 4. He tortured Mike Tyson, who was coming off a list of impressive KO's. 5. His fight against David Tua was uneventful based on Tua's reluctance to go inside. 6. Lewis vs. Holyfield. Styles didn't mesh well. I still enjoyed the 2nd fight and thought it was a lot closer than the judges. Have either of the Klits defended the title against an opponent that matches any of the above?? Eddie Chambers? Calvin Brock? This last guy (forgot his name)? Also, if Wladamir and Vitali were Americans, they would not be on the cover of "Sports Illustrated." That's no knock on the Klits. When was the last time a boxer appeared on the cover of SI?? Our sport has lost a little of it's edge. Just for the sake of other countries, let me make it clear that most Americans really don't care what country the HW Champ hails from. They just want to see excitement. Last Saturday's fight was a nightmare in boredom. We've seen Ali, Louis, Frazier, Marciano, even Holmes. Let's not forget Lewis. I challenge anyone to show me a HW division this void of talent. This dismal. The Klits are good fighters and I think they might've done well in the 90's. Hell, Vitali would've beaten Mike Tyson. But let's be realistic. Somebody tell me a HW division that even remotely compared to this pathetic competition these two brothers have in front of them. My opinion. Because I say it's so, I don't think that makes it so. A lot of people may disagree with me and they may be right.

The thing I'd love to ask Larry is this

"Larry, I understand that you beleive the new heavies cannot fight the way 220 pounders could. I understand they are bigger and stronger. But could they BEAT gifted 220 pounders who knew what they were doing?"

the HW division yes this era is the worst in the last 50 years and one of the 2 or 3 worst ever..

I don't agree with the last line.