RINGNEWS24 RATINGS: THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
The dawn of a new age as we ring in the new on Ringnews24 as freelance sports writer, Peter Mann, takes on the challenge of the Ringnews Ratings. Using votes collected by members on the RN24 Forum,the results from those speak for themselves. And, in what is a new look; we shall have the Top Ten in the World, and the Top Five British fighters in a specific weight class. These results are provided by you. In addition there will be a profile of one of those fighters voted for.
Fight fans, here are your Heavyweights, and Alexander Povetkin.
TOP TEN WORLD HEAVYWEIGHTS
Without surprise it is that of the Ukrainian powerhouses, Wladimir and Vitali that reign supreme in the heavyweight division. Although both have been around for some time they show no sign of letting up anytime soon. The younger of the two, Wladimir, polled maximum points and it will take a brave man to either bet against him remaining there, or knocking him off his perch anytime soon. Britain’s David Haye, although having had a good innings, is close to calling it a day so of the top ten that of the undefeated Alexander Povetkin (see profile below) and possibly Robert Helenius and maybe in the future Tyson Fury, stands any chance of toppling the Klitschko’s. Question is though; will they have to wait until the eastern bloc duo retires? The answer is, most likely.
Wladimir Klitschko Ukrainian 58-3 (51ko) 36 years old 120pts Last bout vs. Tony Thompson; won TKO6 Next bout vs. Maurice Wach
Vitali Klitschko Ukrainian 44-2 (40ko) 41 years old 107pts Last bout vs. Dereck Chisora; won UD12 Next bout vs. Manuel Charr (8th September; WBC Heavyweight title)
David Haye British 26-2 (24ko) 31 years old 79pts Last bout vs. Dereck Chisora; won TKO5 Next bout TBC
Alexander Povetkin Russian 24-0 (16ko) 32 years old 65pts Last bout vs. Marco Huck; won MD12 Next bout vs. Hasim Rahman (29th September; WBA World Heavyweight title)
Tomasz Adamek Polish-American 46-2 (28ko) 35 years old 63pts Last bout vs. Eddie Chambers; won UD12 Next bout vs. Travis Walker (8th September; IBF North American Heavyweight title)
Kubrat Pulev (50pts), Robert Helenius (32pts), Tyson Fury (34pts), Chris Arreola (28pts), Odlanier Solis (22pts) and a further nine heavyweight fighters were voted for.
TOP FIVE BRITISH HEAVYWEIGHTS
The British Heavyweight fight scene is an awkward one to call. Would that of Haye and Chisora topped the pile if they had not had their much publicised fight back in July and all the hype that surrounded it? The answer is probably not. Both though were regulars in the ratings because of this. The inclusion of Tyson Fury and David Price, both unbeaten at present, shows the burgeoning talent coming from the British scene and both fighters are definitely worth looking out for in the next few years. Price’s impending bout with Audley Harrison in October will be a one to watch although some believe that Harrison is a spent force and this is his last chance. Outside of the big hitters the others that generated minimal votes included Matt Skelton, Sam Sexton and John McDermott. The future of British Heavyweight boxing is very much still something to be worked upon.
David Haye (see above for details) 126pts
Tyson Fury Manchester 19-0 (14ko) 24 years old 98pts Last bout vs. Vinny Maddalone; won TKO5 Next bout TBC
David Price Liverpool 13-0 (11ko) 29 years old 80pts Last bout vs. Sam Sexton; won KO4 Next bout vs. Audley Harrison (13th October; British Heavyweight title)
Dereck Chisora British-Zimbabwe 15-4 (9ko) 28 years old 52pts Last bout vs. David Haye; lost TKO5 Next bout TBC
A further seven British heavyweights were voted for, all collecting less than ten points apiece.
ALEXANDER POVETKIN
Known as the Russian Vityaz, a protector of the innocents or a mythical hero, knight or dragon-rider, Povetkin is the epitome of Russian boxing. He is the standard-bearer and a ready-made replacement for the Klitschko brothers. Povetkin has a younger brother of his own as well, 31 year old Vladimir, 6-0 (1ko) fights in the Light-Heavyweight division.
Born in Kursk in September 1979, Povetkin began his professional career in kickboxing before becoming a successful amateur boxer, dominating the Eastern Bloc throughout the early part of the millennium. Povetkin has known nothing but unbounded success.
The late nineties would see a young Povetkin claim first place in four tournaments including the W.A.K.O Worlds and the European Professionals in 1999 and 2000 respectively. Turning to boxing at the age of 21 the domination continued. Over the next four years that domination continued claiming first place in no fewer than 19 tournaments, culminating in Gold at the Athens Olympics in 2004. This run included five International and four European titles. The Italian, Roberto Cammarelle would also feel Povetkin’s force having been defeated by the Russian three times, including the Olympic semi-finals.
Then there was the beginning of his professional status on the back of the Super Heavyweight Olympic Gold, but not after a much deserved year out. Povetkin’s professional debut arrived in the June of 2005 and would have five bouts under his belt by the end of the year. First up he would defeat Muhammed Ali Durmaz courtesy of a second round TKO and three of those first five bouts would result in TKO successes, the other two against Cerrone Fox and William Chapman.
It would not take long for Povetkin to force himself into the title picture either, just two years in fact. Around late 2007, early 2008 Povetkin would find himself in the IBF Elimination mini-tournament for the Heavyweight title alongside Chris Byrd, Eddie Chambers and Calvin Brock. Povetkin defeated Byrd, TKO11, and Chambers UD12, to put himself in the frame for the title against Wladimir Klitschko. That was supposed to be on 13th December 2008 but injury though prevented that from happening but Povetkin would not be unbowed. The injury put Povetkin on the inactive list for around nine months.
In March of 2010 Javier Mora was knocked down twice in the opening two rounds as well as the fifth before Povetkin claimed his ninth TKO success with the referee finally stopping the bout. The run continued and over the past two years Povetkin’s strength has shown no bounds. Teke Oruh suffered a fifth round KO, and Nicolai Firtha was claimed via a unanimous decision to close a successful 2010. 2011 began in a similar vein as Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chagaev was defeated via a unanimous decision and in doing so claimed the vacant WBA World (Regular) Heavyweight title. His first defence came with an eighth round KO of Cedric Boswell at the end of the year. And a second, successful defence was then made against challenger and WBO Cruiserweight champion, Marco Huck, in February claiming the majority decision after a mammoth twelve rounder with a point’s score of 114-114, 116-113 and 116-112.
The impending bout with that of Hasim Rahman, in his third title defence later this month, is the second attempt at getting this particular bout ahead. Rahman withdrew from the original bout back in June with a hand injury.
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