Ranking the 5 Best Opponents Wladimir Klitschko Has Faced So Far in His Career
Wladimir Klitschko has been the dominant force in boxing's heavyweight division for a long time, but Tyson Fury could provide him with one of his toughest tests to date on Saturday, when the Ukrainian defends his IBF, WBA and WBO titles against Fury at the Esprit Arena in Dusseldorf, Germany.
The unbeaten Englishman has certainly talked a good fight in the buildup, but now the time is coming for him to back up his words in the ring.
However, Klitschko admits that his next opponent presents a serious challenge to his reign, per Luke Furman of Boxing Scene:
"I think this will be one of the hardest fights of my career. This time the opponent will be taller, heavier, with very long arms, and he is also younger and has great ambitions.
This guy [Fury] really wants to prove himself in the ring and confirm what he keeps telling everyone, that he's the best in the world.
He will be difficult opponent to adjust to, because of his style of fighting and physical conditions. Fans will certainly not be bored.
"
So, who else has given Klitschko cause for concern, at least before the first bell sounded.
Bleacher Report has ranked the five best heavyweights Dr. Steelhammer has dealt with during his long and distinguished professional career.
Ranking Criteria and Honourable Mentions
1 of 6
Before the countdown begins, the selection criteria should be explained.
The idea here wasn't to simply pick the boxers who gave Klitschko the toughest fight on the night.
If that were the case, Ross Puritty, Corrie Sanders and Lamon Brewster—the only three men who ever beat the Ukrainian in the paid ranks—would occupy the top spots.
However, those results were all unexpected. Klitschko entered each bout as the heavy favourite.
This list aims to pick out the opponents who many felt could give Klitschko a tough night prior to the first punch being thrown, much like Fury.
Also, a few well-known names were seriously considered for the top five but were ultimately left out.
Apologies to Ruslan Chagaev, Bryant Jennings, Kubrat Pulev and Hasim Rahman, none of whom made the cut.
5. David Haye
2 of 6
David Haye may be a controversial choice, considering his bout with Klitschko was a non-event, but try to forget the 12 rounds and focus on the buildup.
Prior to losing on points, Haye had made a splash in the division after moving up from cruiserweight.
The Brit had toppled the giant Nikolay Valuev to win the WBA title, then successfully defended it against John Ruiz and Audley Harrison.
The Hayemaker pulled out of a bout against Klitschko in June 2009, and he came close to signing a deal to face his older brother, Vitali.
Haye had annoyed the siblings by wearing a shirt that depicted him standing in a ring holding the severed heads of the two Klitschkos.
Sadly, though, he didn't bother the younger Klitschko in the ring. Haye blamed a toe injury for his subpar display, per BBC Sport, saying, "I couldn't push off the right foot to throw the right hand."
4. Sultan Ibragimov
3 of 6
Sultan Ibragimov was the WBO champion going into his bout with Klitschko in February 2008, and Klitschko was in possession of the IBF strap.
The Russian—who had won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games—also boasted a 22-0-1 record.
As Dan Rafael of ESPN pointed out (h/t BoxRec), "It was the first unification bout in the division since Lennox Lewis outpointed Evander Holyfield in their 1999 rematch."
Ibragimov had defeated Shannon Briggs to claim the WBO title, and then followed up that victory with a successful defence against Holyfield.
However, the southpaw found himself on the wrong end of a unanimous points decision against Klitschko in Madison Square Garden and then hung up his gloves.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
3. Chris Byrd
4 of 6
Chris Byrd faced Klitschko twice. The first bout, which took place in Cologne, Germany, in 2000, is the reason why the American appears on this list.
Rapid Fire had shot himself into the big time by beating Vitali Klitschko. Having taken the fight at very short notice, Byrd triumphed when the WBO champion retired due to a shoulder injury.
Wladimir was given the chance to avenge his brother's defeat six months later.
Byrd went into the bout with a 31-1 record. However, he proved no match for the younger Klitschko, losing comprehensively on points.
They met again in 2006, with Byrd surrendering the IBF title the second time around. He had held the belt for nearly three-and-a-half years but was stopped in Round 7.
2. Alexander Povetkin
5 of 6
Alexander Povetkin was on a 26-fight winning streak when he faced Klitschko in 2013.
A gold medal winner at the 2004 Olympics, Povetkin had defeated Ruslan Chagaev to win the vacant "regular" WBA heavyweight title in 2011.
He also had wins over Chris Byrd, Marco Huck and Hasim Rahman on his record, thereby suggesting he could pose a problem or two in his matchup with Klitschko.
Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook said of the Russian, "Povetkin is experienced, has the impressive amateur background, and is no doubt about as talented as heavyweights get these days past the big brothers."
Yet Povetkin—who had pulled out of two previous bouts with Klitschko—did well to last 12 rounds against him in Moscow.
He was knocked down four times in total and lost by a landslide on the scorecards.
Povetkin has bounced back with four stoppage triumphs since then, making Klitschko's dominant performance even more impressive.
1. Samuel Peter
6 of 6
Fighting Samuel Peter in 2005 was a big risk for Klitschko.
His opponent was unbeaten in 24 fights and had built a reputation as an uncomplicated fighter who could hit with power. He was nicknamed The Nigerian Nightmare for a reason.
Peter certainly had the potential to ruin Klitschko's dreams, particularly as the Ukrainian was still a little gun-shy after the knockouts he had suffered against Sanders and Brewster.
Recalling the bout, Klitschko told Matt Caputo of Maxim: "He [Peter] was unbeatable, he was knocking people out and he was the next hope for HBO. I was the underdog in this fight, I really was. I was the one that was going down the hill and he was the one that was going up the hill."
However, the fight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, turned out be a pivotal moment in Dr. Steelhammer's career.
Peter knocked his opponent down three times but could not find a way to finish him off. Klitschko somehow survived the shaky moments and eventually won on points.
They went toe-to-toe again in 2010, but by then, Peter's reputation had dipped. He was second best throughout and was knocked out in Round 10 after landing just 35 punches.
Does Peter deserve to be top of the list? Should one of the three fighters to beat Klitschko have made it? Have your say via the comments section, but do remember it is all a matter of opinion.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
