A couple of readers who follow boxing noted that despite Vitali Klitschko’s convincing victory last weekend – he’s been the dominant heavyweight since 2003, although he’s just 5-0 since the unfortunate loss to Lennox Lewis – he’s never going to be considered among the greatest heavyweights in the last 20 years, mostly because he hasn’t beaten anyone the general public has heard of.

One of the readers advised us to go back and take a peek at how bad Klitschko busted up Lennox Lewis (the 2nd round is terrific) in 2003 before the fight was called in the 7th when the ring doctor thought Klitschko’s gaping eye wound (as gnarly as it gets) was hazardous to his health. Lewis refused a rematch and instead retired.

Even though he smacked around Lewis pretty good (for a couple rounds), Lennox was on the downside of his career and did get the win. We certainly wouldn’t put Klitschko in the class of Tyson or Holyfield, and depending on what you read, Klitschko either kept dodging the only guy who knocked out Lennox Lewis, or he could never get healthy.

We probably should just ask Max Kellerman for his expert analysis, but here’s our definitely non-expert stab at the best heavyweights in the last 20 years (and spending a morning watching boxes highlights and eating cereal rules):
1. Lewis
2. Holyfield
3. Tyson
4. Bowe
5. Klitschko
6. Ruslan Chagaev
7. John Ruiz
8. Wladimir Klitschko
9. Tommy Morrison (just because)
10. Chris Byrd