Unlike a few of his peers, dominant heavyweight boxing champion, Wladimir Klitschko (56-3), doesn't have anything bad to say about MMA. In fact, the 35-year-old even told Jim Rome recently that he wants to try training in Mixed Martial Arts:

"To be honest I didn't really like [MMA] before. But when I was watching it, I got into the style of MMA and I think I have a lot of respect for MMA fighters. It's a very tough sport... You have to be so multi-functional, you have to be a wrestler, you have to be a good kickboxer, you have to be a good boxer, you have to be with good condition." "I want to try the fitness. Just get in an MMA gym and just practice certain things. I used to wrestle, and I did judo when I was younger. As training, as fitness, perfect. Fighting, no."

Klitschko started his pro-boxing after winning the gold medal in the olympics back in 1996. He's 6-foot-6, weighs around 245 lbs, and apparently has also trained a bit in Judo and wrestling before.

In comparison, Tim Sylvia is at the same age as Wladimir. He made his MMA debut in 2001, and during his time as champion, the 6'8, 260 lb fighter dominated with just his sheer size and his striking skills. He wasn't the athlete that Klitschko is, and he definitely wouldn't come close to his boxing skills either.

I know things aren't really that black and white, but the point remains and it still makes one wonder how dominant Klitschko could've been if he made the transition to MMA when he was younger.

HT: Bad Left Hook