Estimate their remaining world-class shelf-life:

State your opinion as: 1 yr, 2 yrs, 3 more fights, etc.

Take into consideration age, wear & tear, injuries & layoffs, etc.

How long do you feel each of the following might be able to compete successfully (that is, victorious or held to only close hard-fought defeats) at the highest tier, as in world title bouts or eliminators?

1. Lucas Matthysse - _____
2. Alexander Povetkin - _____
3. Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam - _____
4. Marco Huck - _____
5. George Groves - _____
6. Guillermo Rigondeaux - _____
7. David Lemieux - _____
8. Ruslan Provodnikov - _____
9. Jamie McDonnell - _____
10. Carlos Takam - _____
11. Martin Murray - _____
12. Kazuto Ioka - _____
13. James DeGale - _____
14. Gary Russell Jr. - _____
15. Hekkie Budler - _____

No rhyme or reason in my selections - just fifteen selected at random about whom I think interesting discussions could be had about how much time left at the very top any of them have.

I may update the list with additional lists of names on a weekly basis if this proves to be constructive.

 

Never mind. I thought it would be a fun idea. :sad2

 

That isn't really the question. Common denominator is they have all fought at that level and been at least vaguely competitive.

If you think someone can't replicate that past success against world class opposition, then your answer for that individual would be "zero". :good

 

The fifteen of them are completely all over the map, not meant to all represent being on the same level.

They have all fought in world title bouts and/or versus elite guys, however, and have all held their own. That is the common thread...and the question at hand is how long any of them can do what they've done in the past, going forward.

 

:good

Russell is a bit athleticism-reliant, no?

And man, you've gotta check out the lighter weights, you're missing some really good stuff.

 

Ah, okay. I was just confused because you lumped him in with guys like Huck and Lemieux (who are less athletic, more just grinders/punchers, the kinds of guy who can have longer careers depending on how much punishment they soak up) and DeGale who I consider more a "skill" than "just athleticism" guy.

 

1. Lucas Matthysse - 2 years
2. Alexander Povetkin - 5-6 years nod)
3. Hassan N'Dam N'Jikam - 3-4 more "big" fights, more if not vs. punchers
4. Marco Huck - 2-3 years
5. George Groves - 5+ years
6. Guillermo Rigondeaux - will retire in 2017, undefeated or not
7. David Lemieux - a handful of light title defenses, or, if he attempts unification w/ GGG, a year after that
8. Ruslan Provodnikov - 1-2 years, maybe a bit longer provided he stays w/ Roach
9. Jamie McDonnell - 3 years
10. Carlos Takam - half a dozen more fights against top 15's & up
11. Martin Murray - 4 years, if he ever gets over the GGG beating...so, possibly ZERO.
12. Kazuto Ioka - 1-1/2 year
13. James DeGale - several years, entering his prime, division wide open
14. Gary Russell Jr. - 4 years+
15. Hekkie Budler - not much past age thirty

:deal

Anybody else wanna step up?

 

:nod

Saunders would be ideal, actually.

 

What precipitates his decline IYO?

 

^ Matthysse could be wishful thinking. :err