LINDER'S LOOK: THE MAILBAG
By Doveed Linder

Hi Doveed,

I think the heavyweight division does not excite people because the “King of the Heavyweight” is just too darn big for other smaller yet more talented and exciting fighters to beat.  A 253 lb HW in weight proportion is 15% heavier than a 220 lb HW. That being the math, it’s like a junior welterweight fighting a middleweight (in terms of proportionate weight variance). Imagine Kostya Tszu (in his prime) facing Bernard Hopkins of 2001.  It’s also like Juan Manuel Lopez (as strong as he is at 122) versus Manny Pacquiao (122 lbs x 115% = 140 lbs). That’s the kind of size mismatch Klitschko usually enjoys.

Of course, Klitchko is no Hopkins or Pacquiao, but the point is, as great as Kostya was, he has very little chance of winning against a middleweight coming in at 140. And that is what makes a Wladimir Klitschko fight boring to watch. The outcome can be fairly predictable. Unlike in Mayweather’s case where the predictability comes from his superb skill sets and athleticism, the Klitschko predictability emanates first from his muscle size (which allows his ok skills to dominate)

I really think the time for a Super Heavyweight is in the horizon. If boxing is to be great, it needs to reconsider the traditions it holds for the better. The number of rounds was reduced. The number of weight divisions was further subdivided. Why can’t we do it for the sake of great heavyweights today in the vicinity of 220 lbs? (note: where most of the Legendary HWs fought in the past). Joey Rivera, Philippines

 
Linder’s Response: I agree with you, though I believe Klitschko is not only bigger than his opponents, he is also better and he deserves a lot of credit for what he has accomplished.  But I wrote an article about this very topic last week.  10 years ago, when a big guy came along like a Michael Grant or a Lance Whitaker (or if you want to date back even further – Primo Carnera), he wasn’t especially skilled, so people didn’t view them as a major threat to some of these smaller guys.  A welterweight Shane Mosley could probably beat a middleweight with so-so skills, but he’s not going to beat Bernard Hopkins.  At heavyweight, I think a great fighter at 250 beats a great fighter at 220.  But we don’t really have any great fighters at 220 in the game today.  Povetkin, Haye, and Chagaev aren’t necessarily viewed as the next great thing, so nobody really believes that they are being denied an opportunity to become heavyweight champion because of a size disadvantage.  If a super heavyweight division was formed, I think the heavyweights would be a mess at first because of the lack of talent.  But it may make sense down the road and it would open the door for athletes who are 210-215 who don’t really have a place in today’s heavyweight division. 

I don't know Doveed. Maybe European boxing champions, after the Klitschko's, will be no more than 235 lbs.  I don't think there will be many USA boxing champions that weigh more than 235 lbs in the future.  But with a new heavyweight division, you have 201 lbs to 231 lbs.  All the good cruiserweights would see if the new heavwyweight dvision, 201 to 231 lbs, would make them more money as title challengers and potential champions.I think lots of the cruiserweight champions today would challenge for filling the new division's titles (WBA, WBC) But boxing would basically be big only from bantamweight to light heavyweight, (118 to 175)  And everything over 200 lbs would be big money.  From 176 lbs to 200 lbs, boxing guys would have to look to the new heavyweight (201 to 230 lbs), or light heavyweight, to earn some good money 


Linder’s Response: Given the state of the heavyweight division today, a 231+ division would probably create a lot of problems.  Most people view the division as very weak and by cutting it in half, it would be even more weak.  But we have entered an era where the fighters on top are weighing 240-250 pounds.  People will make the argument that Joe Louis and Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson would have their way with these guys, but this is something we don’t know.  The fighters of old never had to give up that much size and strength to opponents who have a lot of skills.  A great small man could beat an average big man, but I’d favor a great big man over a great small man.  At some point, I think it’s unreasonable to ask a fighter to give up 30-40 pounds, even if they are a heavyweight.  People want to give Mayweather all sorts of grief for fighting JJM, but nobody has a problem with W Klitschko manhandling Chris Byrd.  The argument can be made that Byrd was just a blown up middleweight, but he didn’t have a problem with guys under 230.  As far as money goes, I think any fighter can make a good living as long as he brings something exciting and special to the table.

Vitali didn't lose in the scorecards to Lewis. The cut was caused by a punch so it was ruled a TKO. Also, looking at how both brothers did against Peter and Sanders, Vitali is clearly better. 

 
Linder’s Response: I’ve seen the Lewis/Klitschko fight numerous times and I have no idea how I made that mistake.  Thank you for bringing it to my attention.  I wouldn’t use Sanders and Peter as examples, because Wladimir was still coming into his own when he fought those fights.  He has improved a great deal since then and I wouldn’t pick either of those guys to go the distance with him at this point, even if they were both at their best.  In my eyes, what sets the brothers apart is Vitali’s fight with Lennox Lewis.  I agree that Vitali may be better, but I’d put Wladimir at #1 because of his overall domination.

 
I agree with you, Bernard Hopkins will probably fight Felix "Tito" Trinidad. I had thought that Oscar De La Hoya would be the guy to call Trinadad out before going into retirement but I was wrong. I hope Tito seeks help from another trainer if he and Bernard go at it again... Otherwise, I am afraid that we are going to get more of the same from there last fight. I do not believe that Bernard will let Tito off the hook like Roy Jones did -- he will punish him if he gets the chance.    


Linder’s Response: Hopkins stated in a Boxingtalk interview a couple of weeks ago that he is done fighting.  But I think that’s just talk and I believe that he will still fight on and I also still believe that the fight with Trinidad will be made.  Regardless of who trains Trinidad, I give him little to no chance of beating Hopkins .  He’s no longer committed to boxing and the first fight was so one-sided that there’s just no point.  Even though ODLH announced his retirement, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he came out one more time for a rematch with Trinidad .  Coming out of retirement is very popular these days.

Send questions and comments to: doveedlinder@hotmail.com