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THE ABC SUPPORTS THE IBF'S HIGHER RANKING OF WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO OVER DaVARRYL WILLIAMSON |
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THE ABC SUPPORTS THE IBF'S HIGHER RANKING OF WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO OVER DaVARRYL WILLIAMSON |
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Comments After becoming the 1996 Super Heavyweight Olympic gold medalist, Wladimir Klitschko made his pro debut on November 16, 1996. From that date to the present, Mr. Klitschko has compiled a record of 44-3-0 (40 KO’s). Mr. Williamson made his pro debut on June 2, 2002. From that date to the present, Mr. Williamson has compiled a record of 22-3-0 (18 KO’s). Thus, Mr. Klitschko has twice as many wins, and the same number of losses, as Mr. Williamson. Nevertheless, a boxer’s win/loss record, standing alone, is not the sole basis upon which a rating is to be determined; “level of competition” and “activity” being among the other relevant factors. Regarding the “level of competition” of each boxer, it is of particular significance that Mr. Klitschko and Mr. Williamson competed “head-to head” only eight months ago (October, 2004), and it was Mr. Klitschko who won that fight. Six weeks later, on November 13, 2004, Mr. Williamson defeated Mr. McCall. Neither Mr. Klitschko nor Mr. Williamson participated in a professional boxing contest between mid-November, 2004 and mid-April, 2005. Then, within a seven day period, Mr. Klitschko fought, and defeated, Mr. Castillo; and Mr. Williamson fought, and defeated, Mr. Jefferson. As to the “superiority” of these respective opponents, the ABC notes that, although not ranked by the IBF, in July, 2004, Mr. Castillo defeated Mr. Moorer who, three months thereafter and for the ensuing six months, was ranked either No. 12, No. 13, or No. 15 by the IBF. The ABC also notes that, although Mr. Jefferson was rated (No. 15) by the IBF at the time he fought Mr. Williamson, Mr. Jefferson, after not being rated by the IBF for a period of time, was again rated by the IBF (No. 14) after defeating Mr. White who, prior to that fight, had lost seven consecutive bouts, six by being knocked out with four such knock-outs coming in the first round. While Mr. Williamson did participate in two bouts and Mr. Klitschko participated in one bout since October, 2004, it is the opinion of the ABC that the win/loss records of the respective boxers, particularly Mr. Klitschko’s victory over Mr. Williamson, together with the level of competition in which each boxer engaged thereafter, supports a rating of Mr. Klitschko above a rating of Mr. Williamson. Very truly yours,
Tim Lueckenhoff President
cc: Dr. Flip Homansky Greg Sirb Bruce C. Spizler, Esquire Ronald A. DiNicola, Esquire Marian Muhammad
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