Examining the 2022 International Boxing Hall of Fame class

Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KOs)

For most of his career, Klitschko was called “boring” by many fans in the states. Between his style, being from overseas, and his utter domination (the latter of which was not his fault), Klitschko never got much love in the US.

After suffering a few losses by KO, Klitschko realized something had to change, so he decided to hire the legendary trainer Emanuel Steward. After the trainer change, Klitschko went on an absolute tear from 2004 to 2015. There were very few rounds that he lost, he was that dominant.

He was able to pick up three of the four major belts, and the only one he was missing was held by his brother Vitali. The two were so dominant that many refer to that era of heavyweights simply as the Klitschko era.

Wladimir laid waste to every mandatory challenger and every top contender that was put in front of him. Despite this utter dominance, he never was a big draw in the US.

If there was ever an instance where being too dominant hurt someone’s stock, this was the case. It is hard to get casual fans interested in watching a foreigner dominate their opponent for every second of every round.

He was able to go out in epic fashion, however, when he faced Anthony Joshua in Wembley Stadium. Their fight was an instant classic, and the best heavyweight title fight in years. It was that good.

Despite the loss, Klitschko was finally able to gain the love he always deserved. Everyone heaped praise upon him for his effort, and it was about time he was revered that way.

Wladimir’s era was not the best. He did not have the stiffest competition, but that is not his fault. He fought everyone he could, and absolutely dominated them all. He is one of the most dominant heavyweight champions in boxing history, and belongs in the Hall of Fame sooner rather than later.