Can Ruslan Chagaev be considered a possible great heavyweight?

I haven't seen Chagaev-Ruiz, but I do know that a large portion of the boxing public had Ruiz winning or drawing in that match, which says something, given that Ruiz is such a hated fighter. I have seen Chagaev-Valuev, or at least most of it (it wasn't very entertaining and I left in a couple spots). The majority of the rounds were fairly slow-paced and non-descript without an overly clear winner. I thought Chagaev edged it, but again, very close, and a good-sized portion of the public had Valuev winning or scored it a draw. Even if one believes Chagaev deserved all of these decisions, it's hardly the mark of a likely future all-time great that he keeps consistently being run very close- to the point at which numerous reasonable observers think he could've lost- against the likes of these guys.

 

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=hiPtVWugjn4

 

Well, Chagaev-Ruiz was actually a pretty entertaining fight. For the first 8 that is, after that Ruiz tired and held on a lot. It was not razor-close at all, in my opinion. I thought it was an 8-4 victory for Chagaev, perhaps 7-5 but a draw would've been more than Ruiz deserved. I also don't know where you quote from, but nearly all posts that i've read said that Chagaev was the clear winner and that SD wasn't representative of the fight.

Let's not forget that Ruiz, love him or hate him, has a pretty good resume and many people thought he beat Valuev.


Now, i did think Chagaev-Valuev was pretty close. In fact, i had it a lot closer than most people, but again, the consensus was that Chagaev won the fight. He did exactly what he had to do against Valuev: back away from him most of the time, not spend too much energy, then throw and land a combination, and repeat. Not very exciting, but it did grant him a victory, and fighting a 330lbs fighter with an iron chin and good stamina is very tiring. Barret tried fighting at a normal pace, won some rounds but had nothing left past the 8th. Barret may not be a great fighter, but he was a ranked contender nonetheless.



Now i don't want to argue that Chagaev is a great fighter, but in the end, the Ruiz and Valuev are wins over highly ranked contenders, Skelton was a fringe contender and although a boring fight, a comfortable win (i had it 8-2-2) and the win over Virchis may have more significance as he might go on to do more than beat up tomato cans/fringe contenders.

 

Yeah, it's ironic Chagaev is nicknamed "White Tyson" but of his last 3 fights, 2 were bore-fests and it took a pairing with JOHN RUIZ to make it exciting.

 

1. Easily 30lbs overweight, watch his last fight, he has a belly, probably has 15lbs on his belly

2. Based on Skeleton throwing 2-3times as many punches as Chagaev, outmuscling him and outlanding him while Chagaev did sweet FA

3. You havent seen the fight, I watched it live minus 3rounds, 1 commentator had Skeleton up at the end. Skeleton had Chagaev on the ropes for the duration of the fight and threw 2-3times he number of shots.

4. He is immobile because he doesn't move much because hes a fat ass. Quickish hands yes - feet when he actually moves, which he didnt do much last time

5. Got outmuscled by Skeleton and who has he ko'd whos top30? No one

6. And what has he done against fighters that weren't journeymen? NO KOs against none journeymen

 

1. I'd say Peter is 20-30lbs over optimum fighting weight too. Did you see the Skeleton fight Chagaev looked chubby.

2. I don't know Chagaev looked a bit bashed up at the end but Skeleton did a bit too. It was a messy fight though and I won't argue over a winner. I'll just say Chagaev didnt look impressive

3. It depends how you score - Chagaev would always land the cleaner shots BUT Skeleton definately outlanded him in most of the rounds. Again I missed the first 3 rounds and I won't be rushing to find them

4. Yes he has good footwork but his weight means there is no athleticism. What if there was someone with a skilled attack instead of a unskilled Skeleton?

5. How can you say he matched Skeleton for strength when Chagaev lay on the ropes and covered up for the majority of the fight?

6. In terms of contender level his power is average. Plenty of contenders have much more power.

 

Ironic, hehe. That was actually the first Ruiz fight that i enjoyed since..... well, i guess the Tua fight.


But his nickname is stupid indeed and they should change it. Apart from the lack of exciting-ness, his power is hardly of that level, either. I don't think it's a shame to go the distance with Valuev, who seems to almost be impervious to taking punches, but he landed pretty much on Ruiz and never knocked him down. Ruiz is durable, but also a bit old .. Tyson knocked out Berbick who was also very durable. He should've put Skelton away, who is very old too.

 

Chagaev at the end of his career will be ranked alonside bonecrusher.

That is all.