| The KO Picture Show |
| The H.U.T.T. |
 |
| Updated 1/2/08 |
| The Heavyweight Update Top Twenty are my own personal rankings. These are purely opinion and are not swayed by any of the sanctioning bodies of boxing. |
|
| . . . and other, lesser rankings |
| (Please Note: Only The H.U.T.T. Rankings are updated regularly. All other rankings are updated as of date noted.) |
| IBF Rankings (as of December 17, 2007) Champion: Wlad Klitschko 1. Eddie Chambers 2. Alexander Povetkin 3. Nicolay Valouev 4. Vladimir Virchis 5. Hasim Rahman 6. Alexander Dimitrenko 7. Calvin Brock 8. Tony Thompson 9. Juan Carlos Gomez 10. Lamon Brewster |
| WBC Rankings (as of December 2007) Champion: Oleg Maskaev 1. Vladimir Virchis 2. Juan Carlos Gomez 3. Hasim Rahman 4. Nicolay Valuev 5. Alexander Dimitrenko 6. Oliver McCall 7. Chris Arreola 8. Donnell Holmes 9. Jameel McCline 10. Andrew Golota |
| WBA Rankings (as of December 31, 2007) Champion: Ruslan Chagaev 1. Nicolay Valuev 2. Serguei Liakhovich 3. John Ruiz 4. Kali Meehan 5. Taras Bidenko 6. Michael Moorer 7. Wladimir Virchis 8. Mike Mollo 9. Juan Carlos Gomez 10. Alexander Dimitrenko |
| #1 Wladimir Klitschko 49-3, 44 KO’s (IBF Champ) After, literally, busting a knuckle on Lamon Brewster in July of 2007, Wlad wisely took the rest of the year off. He deserves it after such a dominating past two years. But I’ve been HOWLING for a unification fight (something that Wlad’s been giving lip service as well), and, I’ll be damned… WE’VE FINALLY GOT ONE! Personally, I don’t think the good doctor will have much trouble with WBO champ Sultan Ibragimov on February 23rd. But I applaud the champs’ efforts to bring some stability to the division. Holding two of the four major belts will certainly help as a means to that end. #2 Samuel Peter 29-1, 22 KO’s Back problems for the Big O nixed a planned WBC title match-up between Peter and Maskaev, so they scheduled an interim belt bout for the Nigerian Nightmare against Jameel McCline (of “He Lost to Zuri Lawrence” fame). This was supposed to be a softball for Samuel, a nice quick knockout before the fight with Maskaev. Instead Peter barely survived with his jaw intact (getting dropped three times), and while he pulled it together and won handily in the end, it brings up questions about his ability to handle a taller fighter. Someone like, say, Wlad Klitschko? I don’t think Maskaev will give him much trouble (that is, IF they actually fight as scheduled on March 8th), but that hypothetical unification bout (that BETTER be) looming in his future must have him up nights. #3 Ruslan Chagaev 23-0-1, 17 KO’s (WBA Champ) An undisclosed illness (that I’ve only heard described as “acute” and “chronic”, which is both frustratingly vague AND somewhat contradictory) cancelled his much anticipated bout with WBO Champ Ibragimov. He’s had most of 2007 to rest up, and it appears his illness is not as chronic as first reported, as he’s got a bout lined up with top Brit Matt Skelton in mid-January. This provides the twin benefits of getting Chagaev back into the swing of things AND getting Skelton some much needed world-class competition outside the UK (which, I’m betting, will NOT agree with his proper nature). #4 Sultan Ibragimov 22-0-1, 17 KO’s (WBO Champ) How “No Chagaev” equals “Holyfield Title Shot” in the eyes of the WBO is still a mystery to me, but Sultan showed ample skill in dispatching the now AARP-ready Real Deal. Sure, he looks a little like Barney Rubble, and his body isn’t sending people screaming towards the hills. But he’s a tough dude with some good hand speed and the ability to make a fight plan and stick to it. That being said, I don’t like his chances in the unification bout with Klitschko. Sultan was pretty gun shy against the taller, stronger Shannon Briggs. I can’t imagine a BIGGER, STRONGER opponent who might actually THROW PUNCHES BACK will strengthen his resolve. #5 Oleg Maskaev 34-5, 26 KO’s (WBC Champ) Are my eyes deceiving me? Am I actually writing about 2 bouts that feature four of the top five fighters on the H.U.T.T.? Don’t listen to all of those naysayers out there, decrying the state of the division. It’s a great time to be a heavyweight fan! Unfortunately, it’s not such a great time to be Oleg Maskaev. A year off is NOT what this man needed. To paraphrase Marsellus Wallace, “The sport is full of boxers who think they’d age like wine. If you mean they turn to vinegar, it does. If you mean they get better with age, it don't.” (unless your name happens to be Bernard Hopkins). I’ll be surprised if Maskaev, who’ll be 39 by the time his bout with Samuel Peter takes place in early March, even makes it to the ring. Back problems don’t get better with time for boxers. Just ask Vitali Klitschko. #6 Nicolay Valuev 47-1, 34 KO’s Rough year for the big man. After a bizarre injury win over Jameel McCline, the big Russian steps in with a littler Russian (Chagaev) and gets tattooed by his nasty left for the better part of 12 rounds, losing his WBA strap in the process. The Giant ends his year with a less than sparkling UD win over French Canadian fringe prospect Jean-Francois Bergeron. His new trainer, Alexander Zimin, swears that he’s going to change Valuev’s style for his future fights (he’s currently got a WBC eliminator bout scheduled with Serguei Lyakhovich on Feb 16th), but I have my doubts about teaching a 34 year old dog with knees that don’t bend new tricks. I think his old style of simply overwhelming his opponents with his sheer enormity will be enough to take out Lyakhovich, but it won’t serve him as well if he gets another title shot. #7 Tony Thompson 31-1, 19 KO’s The career changing victory for The Tiger over Luan Krasniqi in the Summer of 2007 was followed up with a single tune-up in September, a 2 round destruction of journeyman Cliff Couser. Unfortunately, it was a tune-up for absolutely nothing for the foreseeable future. Nothing on the docket for Thompson so far in 2008. Sure he’s a young 36 (if trading a toughman career for amateur experience can be considered a youthful pursuit), but the time is now. I feel like I’ve been saying this about Tony for a couple of years now. Time for his handlers to get his name in one of these title eliminator discussions. Before their man runs out of time. #8 Vladimir Virchis 24-1, 20 KO’s Another year, and another move up the rankings with not a lot of action to support it. Hell, even I’M questioning my ranking him here. His close loss to Chagaev (who’s also been inactive in 2007) is only going to get him so far. For now it’s got him sitting at #8 on the H.U.T.T. after wins over Marcus McGee (3rd round KO), Paolo Vidoz (12 round UD), and Robert Hawkins (5th round KO) this past year. None of those names blowing your skirt up? Yeah, me neither… Someone get this guy into some BIGGER fights! #9 Alexander Povetkin 14-0, 11 KO’s As I’ve said before, this guy should be dreading my support for him. It’s the kiss of death. But a convincing 11th round TKO win over Chris Byrd in October has set up an IBF eliminator scuffle with fellow up-and-comer Eddie Chambers on Jan 26th. Chambers is, essentially, a younger version of Byrd. While this probably won’t make for a very exciting fight, I think Povetkin will prevail and then his assault on the champions will begin. #10 Eddie Chambers 30-0, 16 KO’s I’ll be honest… I’m not a fan of Eddie Chambers’ style. His bout with Calvin Brock was about as exciting as aluminum siding (sorry all of you aluminum siding fans out there), and his “head back, hands down” style, while effective as a young man, has never been one that’s aged all that well in the heavyweight division (see Chris Byrd & James Toney). I think he’s in for a rude awakening when he faces Povetkin, who’s relentless. Will a loss bring about a change in style? Probably not. But here’s hoping! #11 Chris Byrd 40-4-1, 21 KO’s Another valiant effort. Another loss. Another in a growing lists of reasons to either move down to Cruiserweight or retire. Although, does Chris really want to party with David Haye? Maybe just retire. It’s been a great run. #12 Chris Arreola 22-0, 20 KO’s I love watching this kid fight! Four fights in 2007, all of them ending inside the distance! I’ve read in various spots about his lack of defense, but he’s developed an ability to slip at least SOME of the punishment coming his way in his recent bouts. I don’t know if Arreola will be holding a championship belt for any length of time, but I enjoy watching him in the ring and point to him and Eddie Chambers as beacons for homegrown U.S. talent coming up the ranks. #13 Hasim Rahman 45-6-2, 36 KO’s I believe I compared Hasim Rahman's current “comeback” as part three in a decreasingly compelling trilogy of movies. I’ve got further fuel for that metaphor with the remainder of The Rock’s 2007 having been spent in a similar fashion as the first sequel of 2004 was spent: fighting tomato cans and getting thinner. He’s got about 10 more pounds to go against a lesser opponent, and then I have to assume James Toney is going to show up wearing a hockey mask and carrying a machete. #14 Alexander Dimitrenko 27-0, 17 KO’s After a less than confidence building end to 2006 (a non-knockout win over Billy Zumbrun), ‘Sascha’ made his mark in 2007 with 3 consecutive TKO wins over increasingly tougher competition (Danny Batchelder, Malcolm Tann, and Timo Hoffmann all fell to the enormous Ukrainian). I’m hoping this big, young dude appears on some televised cards soon. From what I’ve seen on YouTube, he’s got some power and strength. Add in some hand speed and he could be a force. Otherwise he’s just Lou Savarese with an accent. #15 Serguei Lyakhovich 23-2, 14 KO’s I finally got something here! After what I’m sure was a relaxing 15-month layoff, The White Wolf from Belarus is stepping back in the ring with Russian Giant Nicolay Valuev. Not an enviable first fight back. But a victory for Serguei wouldn’t be unprecedented here. Remember, his title winning shot over Lamon Brewster came after a 16-MONTH layoff. Of course I’d like to see him knock some of the rust off before tangling with this 7-foot gorilla, but I imagine getting knocked clear out of the ring might make you a little hesitant to lace up the ol’ gloves again. #16 Juan Carlos Gomez 43-1, 35 KO’s I can’t resist ranking this Cuban expat anymore. While his 12 round UD wins over Dennis Bakhtov and Oliver McCall (with a 1st round TKO of Adenilson Rodriguez in early ’07 thrown in for good measure) weren’t exciting, they were convincing. There hasn’t been much opportunity to view Gomez’s talents here in the U.S., but hopefully all that will change in ’08. The former Cruiserweight titlist is a lanky 6’4”, 228 lbs. I’d (favorably) compare him physically to Tony Thompson, but with a great deal more ring experience. In fact, why not get those two in the ring for one of those eliminator matches they LOVE to set up?! #17 Calvin Brock 31-2, 23 KO’s I’d have to elect Calvin for the “Freefall of the Year” award in 2007. I’m pretty sure I had this guy ranked in my Top Ten at some point. But the memories of his devastating KO loss to Wlad Klitschko in ’06 continued to haunt him this past year, leading to a scare against trial horse Alex Gonzales and a flat out mannequin-ization against Eddie Chambers in an IBF elimination semi-final. Maybe the proposition of getting the chance to climb back in the ring with Wlad caused his arms to stop working (although, Chambers’ stylistic problems are as much to blame for that paint dryer in November of this year as The Boxing Banker is). Two losses in a 12 month span might not be a career-ender, but even Brock was talking about his non-boxing interests at points in 2007. Maybe he should look into those. #18 Lamon Brewster 33-4, 29 KO's I’ll be absolutely STUNNED if I hear Lamon Brewster is stepping into the ring again in 2008. His loss to Wlad Klitschko was as one-sided a contest as I’d seen this past year. His retinal injury during the 2006 title fight with Serguei Lyakhovich was a real shame, as I like seeing tough dudes like Brewster fight. But I think this guy’s time has passed. I hope for the sake of his health he finds his way to a broadcasting booth. Give him a shot, Showtime. I’ll bet he outshines Lennox on the HBO telecasts. #19 Shannon Briggs 48-5-1, 42 KO’s The Cannon is here purely out of respect. He DID have a title at one point in 2007, even if it was earned in a wheezing, non-punching WBO affair back in 2006, which he DID win with an out-of-leftfield, through-the-ropes knockout win over Lyakhovich. But his “defense” against Sultan Ibragimov was painful to watch. And while I think the Cannon would also be entertaining in the broadcast booth, I don’t know if they’d be able to fit his enormous body and pineapple-esque hairdo in the frame with Tony Atlas or Bob Papa. They’d have to do the telecast standing on a 3 foot pedestal, or perched on Shannon’s shoulder like a parrot. #20a & 20b Kali Meehan 33-3, 27 KO’s & DaVarryl Williamson 24-5, 20 KO’s And I close out my first H.U.T.T. of 2008 with a duo who matched up in October of this past year and the outcome was pure heavyweight fireworks. These two traded for 6 rounds, with Williamson ruled unable to continue by the ringside doctor after beating the count at the end of the round. I love fights like this. Matching up guys at similar spots in their careers (or having them prove their worth against up-and-comers) is how matchmaking should work. Not haggling over purses or having to jump through hoops for a shot at an “elimination” or “interim/intercontinental/regional” title. I pray that 2008 will bring more fights like this. Hell, I’d be psyched if one of the cable fight networks would broadcast a rematch of these two. Dropped From The List... Vitali Klitschko (formerly tied at #9) I think Vitali’s back issues may have officially retired him. Time to let Wlad shine. Luan Krasniqi (formerly #20) No news of the Lion making a comeback after his loss to Tony Thompson this year. He had a helluva run! |
|
| WBO Rankings (as of December 2007) Champion: Sultan Ibragimov 1. Tony Thompson 2. Alexander Dimitrenko 3. Vladimir Virchis 4. Serguei Lyakhovich 5. Matt Skelton 6. Kali Meehan 7. Eddie Chambers 8. Hasim Rahman 9. Shannon Briggs 10. J.D. Chapman |
| ***NEW*** |
| ***NEW*** |
| Presents... |