• Heavyweight

Klitschko will never be a legend - Warren

Wladimir Klitschko retained his world titles with a comfortable win © Getty Images

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Promoter Frank Warren believes Wladimir Klitschko will never be a legend because of his style of boxing.

The Ukrainian retained his WBO, IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight titles on October 5 by defeating Alexander Povetkin by a unanimous decision.

And although the 37-year-old continues to head the division, Warren feels he 'missed a trick' to establish himself as a boxing great despite his world title reign stretching to seven years.

In his column for The Sun, Warren wrote: "[He failed] to transform his obvious dominance into the kind of explosive performance that enhances a legacy."

Klitschko dropped his Russian opponent four times throughout the bout, three times in the seventh round. Povetkin made the full 12 rounds, and that is where Warren sees Klitschko struggling to become a legend of the sport.

"By round seven, he had been clubbed to the canvas four times and was tottering on leaden legs," Warren said.

"Yet Klitschko showed scant inclination to terminate the fight and leave an exclamation mark. Big Wlad provided further fodder for the cynics who dub him 'Klinch-ko' by repeatedly smothering, leaning and cuddling his way to a tedious decision, which led to the ref eventually deducting a point."

Klitschko continues to be criticised for his defensive tactics and lack of excitement, and Warren supports those remarks.

"The bang-up had been billed as the biggest threat to the Klitschko hegemony for several years but the champion's overt caution deprived fans of the entertainment for which they had paid huge sums," he said.

"His dour "jab 'n grab" ring manner and indifference to the rules of fair play exclude him from my list of the top 10 heavyweights of all-time."

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