Igbragimov best wins are over two guys who were at their peaks in the '90s... Holyfield was 44, who should have already retired by the time he fought Igbragimov. His star power kept getting him title shots. The Valuev fight turned into a weird exhibition with pre-filled score cards. Holyfield was 46 by that point, outweighed by 100lb and Valuev who twice went to war with Ruiz just respectfully prods at him from the outside. Money grab for the promoters, nothing more.
As much if not better than most, would be my answer. The guy is a bit of a dick, but his run was pretty impressive bar the showing against Wlad. But, he still went the full twelve against Prime Wlad same as Igbraminov. Something Peters, Chagaev, Pulev and fan favourite Povetkin didn't manage. Haye goes to Germany, and retires Valuev. Nearly being the first man to drop him along the way. He then cuts through John Ruiz. Again retiring him in the process. He then demolishes Gold Medalist Audley Harrison. Ending any dream he had of making it to the top. Then, Loses wide to Klitschko. Finally, stops Chisora in 5. Chisora's previous fight he was competitive through the full twelve against Vitali. Chisora was in a slump for years after Haye beat him like that. After that, Haye's laundry list of injuries put an end to a potential fight with Fury and then Haye retired. Comes out of retirement to fleece the Brits out of some quick cash, but was a shell of his former self. It's like, tell me what Povetkin did, tell me what Chagaev did, Igbraminov, Peters, etc. etc. At the end of the day, Haye is an unlikeable character, who had an impressive run aside from being beat wide by an ATG.
Wlad Klitschko, Vitali Klitschko and Deontay Wilder were the longest reigning, most dominant champs this century and made the most defenses. Tyson Fury beat two of them, he's held every world title and the Ring belt twice (and is probably better than all three). They are the top four. Anthony Joshua unified three belts and became a huge star in England which helped turn that part of the world into a boxing hub. He's clearly in the top five. Six through 10 could be any of a number of people. Usyk would make the list if he wins the return against Joshua. Otherwise, he hasn't been at heavyweight long enough. Povetkin was a contender a long time and beat Chagaev and Whyte and others, but was only an 'interim' or 'regular' beltholder. And he was flagged as a drug cheat on multiple occasions. Lamon Brewster was only around at the very beginning of this period, but he had arguably one of the most fun reigns - stopped Wlad, stopped Krasniqi, stopped Golota, decisioned Meehan, fought a classic in losing to Liakhovich. Parker, Haye, Chagaev bring up the rear. Haye managed to KO two challengers, but they were John Ruiz (in his last fight) and Audley Harrison - who didn't land a punch in three rounds. Chagaev's reigns were awful. So was Parker's. But Parker still has time to turn it around. Sam Peter getting floored three times and scraping by with a razor-thin decision against Jameel McCline was pretty pathetic, given how McCline fought for the title four times and never gave anyone else nearly as hard of a time. (Valuev took care of McCline easily months earlier.) By the time Peter was 31, he had become a steppingstone. Valuev should never have lost to Chagaev. That was a bad loss. Pulev might be in there, too, but he didn't fight that much. Too inactive. Same with Luis Ortiz. Turned pro at 30. Too many scandals with Ortiz. Helenius got injured and had a couple bad years in there. But he seems to be finishing his career strong. He probably doesn't make the top 10, but for a few years there early on (against Brewster, Peter and Liakhovch) it looked like he was going to dominate. But any of those second-tier guys would be okay. I can't help but think the people saying Sultan Ibragimov is top 10 never followed the sport when Ibragimov actually fought. Sultan's inclusion is comical. One defense against an Evander Holyfield - who was banned at the time in the U.S. and had his license revoked after losing 11 out of 12 rounds to Larry Donald. Sultan getting floored and drawing with Ray Austin in an eliminator and Austin getting the title shot with Wlad (which tells you all you need to know who people thought actually won). Hell, Donald arguably had a better career than Ibragimov. Larry beat Holyfield, too. Larry drew with Ray Austin (and didn't even get floored, like Sultan did), too. Larry beat Spoon and got robbed against Valuev. I'd probably have even taken Helenius over Ibragimov. But the top five is pretty much a lock. Mix and match the rest.
I was scratching my head at that, too. Seems more like people are reading box scores instead of watching the fights. I almost forgot about him. He was there for a moment and went out with a whimper and did nothing memorable while here. Looks better on paper. I'd probably have taken every fighter everyone has listed so far to beat "Barney Rubble" (as he was known then) in an actual fight. There was nothing impressive about him at all.
He actually accomplished quite a lot, he's very underrated. I wish he would have continued fighting for another year or two. His only loss was to Wladimir Klitschko, and unlike most people, he went the distance with Klitschko. And Sam Peter, whom he easily won every round against, after being out of the ring for nearly 4 years.
So multiple Olympic gold medallists is something new....like AJ??? Not in the past but think folk get carried away with these modern day "greats" that are bang average imo
This is a really good question Based on what anyone did from 05 onwards or just still active at that time? As Ruiz and Byrd could be in there but were at later stages of their respective careers at that time So resume from 05 or anyone active from then onwards?
I watched his fights when he was active. Just an average pro. Nothing special about him. Sorry point wins over a washed up asthmatic Briggs and 90 year old Holyfield isn’t very impressive.
1. Vitali 2. Wlad 3. Usyk 4. Povetkin 5. Ibragimov 6. Valuev 7. Chagaev 8. Fury 9. AJ 10. Wilder Fury, AJ and Wilder are in the bottom because they became champions by beating weak/shot opposition.
