I like this fresh idea to decide the mandatory spot. The one which was for IBF was a perfect selection: two young guns (Chambers and Povetkin) against two more recognized names (Byrd, Brock) and provided rightful selection who is coming up and who fades in oblivion. IMO these tournaments should be continued every year in each organization to mix up old boys vs the young one which are in top 15. Now DKP try to enforce the new tournament for the WBA strap. Assuming that Ruiz is the closest to face Valuev for the WBA interim/vacant spot the tournament would include: Willimson, Liakhovitch, Golota, Meehan. IMO this is very bad idea, Williamson as the title contender is a joke right now, as well as Likahovitch who is coming of two consecutive loses. The only valid contenders are Meehan and Golota who comes from a few consecutive win strikes. They should fight two younger guys who are in top 15 like Bidenko, Dimitrenko or Arreola. What do you think about the four man tournament in general an WBA in particular?
Personally I would strip Chagaev, and have the WBA's top 6, John Ruiz, Nikolai Valuev, Alexander Dimitrenko, Taras Bidenko, Kali Meehan and Andrew Golota all involved in some way in a elimination tournament. Perhaps 3rd vs 5th and 4th vs 6th, with the winner of the first clash going on the face the #1, and the winner of the second clash going on to face the #2. So therefore, it would be: Meehan vs Dimitrenko Bidenko vs Golota Meehan/Dimitrenko vs Ruiz Bidenko/Golota vs Valuev Then the winners of those clashes could fight for the title. Would be good to see but would take a while to resolve so it's pretty unlikely that would happen.
The point is Valuev is just a mandatory (I think) and he wants to fight someone right away so Valuev + somene (Ruiz eventualy Golota) should fight for the title as soon as possible. Also I dont see Ruiz to have position which would favour him to be above Meehan, Dimitrenko, Bidenko, Golota ... the only reason he is considered to fight Valuev for the title is that they already were fighting with controversial decision.
sounds like a great idea.. this would also put things into perspective, as we often would see changes in the rankings, and more top guys going at it. and the idea of deliberately choosing one or 2 of the young upcoming guys, would be good, that way there would probably be a smoother generation shift. and secondly, it would remove some of the issues regarding politics and money. there wouldnt be so much trouble making the fights.
that would be great for boxing as well.... but things that are good ideas and great for boxing rarely happen.... so i doubt this will as well.
