OnThEGRiND BOXiNG

I call the reader’s attention to the comments made between the 1:07-1:22 marks.

Wednesday September 23rd, 2009
by Suge Green - OnThEGRiND BoXiNG

While this may go without saying for some of the loyal OnThEGRiND BoXiNG Family reading these words around the globe, what those familiar with the author would expect is not the intent of this short piece however. I will not lay out facts, backroom dealings, quotes, dates, times, or careful critiques and analysis of specific bouts in illustration of why Wladimir Klitschko is a “half champion” in the heavyweight division. Instead, I intend to focus the reader’s attention on the current IBF/IBO/WBO and Ring Magazine Champion’s recent comments with regard to his being part of a “team.”

It is already commonly understood by followers of this sport that boxers do indeed have teams that facilitate their careers both in and out of the ring. This comment however, was not in reference to those who help prepare him for his title defenses or retirement though.

In this sport of boxing, that has at the very least a universal understanding of the concept of “singles competition,” the younger Klitschko was referring to the fact that he and his brother are competing in, and attempting to “co-rule” the same boxing division. Wladimir Klitschko in other words is very comfortable with the very real problem of multiple champions in a single boxing division, and in his particular division he considers his brother’s sharing of the crown as advantageous to him.

What is coming to light and focus at this point is no longer the picture that was once painted of Wladimir Klitschko, the one that had him doing his best to unify the division, who just happened to be an unwilling participant in the heavyweight “co-rule” conspiracy.

After all, who would blame the younger brother for quietly accepting the fact that he would not be claiming this era of the division’s history for himself upon his brother’s return? Now though, it has become obvious that the younger Klitschko is doing somewhat better than merely coping, with what should be a hard fact to swallow for any man who truly wishes to be on top. Following Wladimir’s candid revelation, it is now clear that he has become a ready, willing, and happily benefiting co-conspirator in a public plot to keep the heavyweight division fractured.

Is this the conduct, heart, and mind of a true champion ?

It’s been said before, but every once in a while it does some good to recall that…there is one world, and there is also only one champion of it in any particular division.

The champion of a division is the one who is established as superior to all of the others who compete in it. When two are considered equal, there is NO champion. Just as there are not 2 presidents in a nation, or 2 kings, or 2 mayors to a city, there are not two real champions of a boxing division.

Sure, there are multiple sets of rankings, organizations, and the straps to go with them, however there is only one real best. There is only one leader, one ruler, one who dominates, there can only be one who reigns supreme.

This comes down to philosophy, your value system, and your world view. This is a concept that has been well understood for ages.

There is an “I” in the word champion. There is no “we.”