I just watched it and loved it too. I would really love it if Vitali made a difference in Ukraine politics.
sharePolitical scene is scary stuff in the Ukraine.
We think name calling is bad in America. But thankfully there hasn't been many (any?) recent cases of members of opposing political bodies being poisoned.
Here's to hoping he can make a difference.
Absolutely one of the best sports documentaries ever made! This piece touches on so many important issues, its just amazing.
One of the things I found most fascinating is that both the brothers speak German almost as their first language throughout the documentary. I think this is because they lived and trained in Germany and Austria after the fall of the USSR, rather than remain in the Ukraine. They also idolize Max Schmelling, which is a bit odd. Schmelling was a Nazi, and a paratrooper during WW2, when the German SS massacred millions of Ukrainian civilians.
Anyhow, its clear the Klitschkos brought much needed integrity to the heavyweight divisions when it needed it badly. Since Lennox Lewis retired, the brothers have owned the division. Its not their fault that there's nobody to fight. I still say the Vitali vs Lennox Lewis fight was the best heavyweight fight of the past 20 years. A Wvladimir (in his prime) vs Lewis would have been one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time.
For me, its perfectly understandable why the brothers never fought. They love each other too much to inflict life threatening violence on each other.
<<I still say the Vitali vs Lennox Lewis fight was the best heavyweight fight of the past 20 years.>>
Just know it from the clips in the documentary, but it did look great.
Problem - they made it look like Lewis had to resort to lacing to win the fight. At least once it seemed he scraped the inner part of his glove against Klitschko's cut eye. Factor in he was losing on all three cards and retired after the fight and it diminishes the regard I held for him.
Well, this was to the last fight in the career of one of the greatest heavyweights of all time, regardless of the outcome. Lewis, who happens to be an extremely smart dude as well, made it clear he would retire unconditionally while he was still relatively young and in retention of all his mental capacities. He had destroyed everyone in his division, and didn't have anything left to prove. Sure, he could have gone on for another few years, and gotten some huge pay days, but those are the fights that usually cause brain damage and force you to retire on someone else's terms, rather than your own. Also, I don't think he liked the idea of fighting the younger Klitchkos (Vitali-6 years younger, Wladimir 9 years younger). This was a good decision on his part.
As far as the "lacing" goes, I believe just about any fighter is trained to do this, as it can be the difference between winning and losing a fight. The documentary should have made this clear, instead of vilifying Lewis. Those big uppercuts landed by Lewis in the late rounds did more to open up that cut, than any "lacing". I've read other accounts of this fight that don't even mention "lacing", and I tend to think it was really a non issue. Vitali had a massive cut, and there was really nothing to be done.
I saw the fight on pay per view, and a few times on ESPN Classics. It was a great fight, with two superb, giant heavyweights really getting after it. We just haven't seen hardly any fights like this in the heavyweight division in the past 20 years. I believe Lewis sustained more damage in this fight, than any other fight of his career (even when getting KOed by Hasim Rachman). If you can find video of this fight on YouTube or where ever, watch this fight!
They both have almost the same style.Vitali is tougher!!!
"Peace and love"