If Povetkin pulls off the unthinkable...

Ha, no! But you aren't beating Ruiz Jr. in eating contest unless you are Dustin Nichols

 

Tbf to him he was actually beating joshua till the knockout. It wasnt like it was a complete beatdown.

Hes regressed since then tho.

 

Neeeeeeever gonna happen, however much I would love it!

But, just to play ball - He would be in my top 5. His longevity and string of quality opponents is already HoF worthy. The thing that always weighs him down, is the fact he was never number one - So, if he did this, he would tick all the ATG boxes for me.

Add to this, his loss to Wlad would be looked upon with a closer look, with all the clinching and wrestling. One would look at it and be like “You know what? Without the clinching and holding, Povetkin would have starched him!” - Contrary to now, where it’s more ”Meh, it probably didn’t make much of a difference anyway”.

 

The old guys are overrated in the rankings based on their long past wins:
- Povetkin was looking shot before he smashed Whyte's glass chin
- Pulev has nothing left
- Kownacki edged wars with Arreola and Martin
- All Ortiz has done in the last 5 years is get KO'd by Wilder
Aside from maybe one of Povetkin or Whyte, none of these guys are in the top 10. Compare (approximately) the top 10 HW's in 2010 to those in 2020:

2010: Wlad, Vitali, Povetkin, Pulev, Chambers, Chagaev, Haye, Fury, Chisora, Helenius
2020: Fury, Usyk, Joshua, Joyce, Hrgovic, Hunter, Parker, Ruiz, Wilder, Whyte/Povetkin

For me, 2020 is stronger than 2010 but there's no way it could conceivably be described as "way weaker".

 

it doesn't hurt to dream big. that would be absolutely epic. BUt highly unlikely. However, WHyte will be dispatched again, like the first time

 

Top ten.

He has a nice record, but right now no ATG fighters on it. If he beat Joshua, he would add one very flawed one. It would certainly put him above a lot of guys whose asses get kissed around here daily.

But it won't happen because he is WBC mandatory, and would be fighting Fury. Based on the fact that he did pretty well in their fight, I would give him one in ten against Joshua. I don't think he can beat Fury at all.

 

This era has a bunch of guys from Wlads era, but 10 years older. Also, out of shape Andy Ruiz and mediocre Parker and Wilder who can't box.
Ancient Povetkin already beat Hunter and Whyte. Helenius beat Kownatski and Pulev beat H. Fury.

 

There are still a fair few guys from 10 years ago (now bums) picking up paychecks like Lucas Browne and Sam Peter but that doesn't mean much. Fury wasn't anywhere near the fighter he is today and Povetkin has declined massively. Pulev had a great jab but not much besides, Chambers, Chagaev and Haye were all small and mediocre, Chisora was/is a limited slugger and Helenius had/has poor stamina, a glass jaw and inconsistent determination. Beyond Wlad and Vitali, there weren't any big heavyweights with athleticism aside from an inexperienced Fury, now there are 4 in the top 10 or 6 if you count Parker and Wilder. Usyk also brings a lot to the division with his unique skillset. Even if you believe the heavyweights in 2010 were better, they certainly weren't much better.

 

I like how you didn’t quote the part of my post which mention all the old guys beating this era's top 10 fighters.

 

Povetkin even in his prime won't beat Fury and Joshua.

 

Personally I believe Povetkin is shot to bits and not sure if he beats Whyte again although he cleary has a chance to. Instead of setting the bar so high for ATG level to reach. How bout something a little more reasonable - what does Povetkin have to do to crack the IBHOF. I happen to think he's not in at moment (never holding a major title or making defense is the major obstacle) however I do believe he is close. If he beats Whyte a second time. And the wbc strap is made vacant, for some reason. I think one more win - to just win it at this point with his already accrued resume. I think he is in. If he beats Joshua or Fury he'd be a cinch in my book.

 

What if my Aunt had balls?

He can KO Whyte again; I wouldn't be shocked. But the beat AJ, Fury and Wilder? Not happening.