Hey there Ortiz, Povetkin, Pulev and Takam are the remaining heavyweights of the last generation I would say. I guess in 3 years they will be retired. What do you make of them, how do you rate them and which fight you want to see them in? I rate Ortiz and Povetkin above Pulev and Takam. All of them have engaged in good fights recently or they're waiting for their title shot. I see Ortiz having his peak of career with the Wilder fights, I doubt he'll have a title shot again if he loses. He may have one good fight (Whyte, Miller, Kownacki, Joyce, maybe even Fury) and that would be it. For Povetkin I feel like he may make it to one more title shot, his last fights were good and he's got good feedback after all. He asked for Tyson Fury, but stylewise I believe it would be a disaster for Povetkin. Can imagine him fighting Chisora, Parker or some German fighter for a last show. Would like to see him against Wilder but doesn't seem to be on Wilder's agenda anylonger since their negotiations failed years ago. With Pulev I feel like he's fighting like an old Klitschko who's having a bad day. I guess he's waiting for his title shot and then he'll either stop after losing or have some minor fights for his Bulgarian fans. I'd like to see Ortiz vs Pulev for a retirement fight. When it comes to Takam, I believe he won't get a title shot anymore. The best he can hope for is a payday with an Usyk fight and that's about it.
Ortiz - will retire after getting iced by wilder Povetkin- might get one last title shot. If he fights fury hel get 120-108d Pulev- who knows with this guy. Might not fight again. He did not want any part of Joshua. Fury would toy with him. At this point wilder ices him. Won’t get another chance at joshua. He might fight chisora again if he beats Parker, or Parker if Parker wins. Takem- gatekeeper now. Will win some, will lose some to the up and comers. Earn some more bread to fill up the retirement pot
I believe Ortiz, Povetkin and pulev will all get another shot at a title before they retire but don’t see any of them winning
Honestly with how shallow the division is I think these guys will still be hovering around in 2 years time. I really don't see any of the current prospects coming through as being all that scary with the exception of Efe Ajagba. Hrgovic, Joyce, That French guy, these are all worse than the current top 3-4.
Wilder almost got beaten against Fury. If there's any hint of luck in his (likely) win over Ortiz he may well want to cash out vs AJ/Ruiz winner. If IBF won't ride with that, they might strip the holder and institute Pulev/Fury for that belt. Usually, I'd be reasoning, if Ortiz beats Wilder ... but I somehow don't think that will be 'allowed to happen'. After seeing those antics that went on after Ortiz beat Martz with Wilder ringside, I reckon there's some 'professional wrestling' type BS in play between those two. Povetkin might have to roll the dice and try to get a fight with someone like Hrgovic, otherwise too many others lining up for title shots ahead of him.
Takam shouldn't be mentioned in that group IMO.... He got KTFO by Povetkin... also by Chisora.... CHISORA!!! Dereck is more worthy to be mentioned with them. I would love to see Povetkin vs. Ortiz. this is a headline worthy fight. Eddie Hearn needs to make this fight, it can be an eliminator for a title. I don't think anyone would object to that. it's a true 50-50 fight with 2 huge punchers.
Yeah true, I thought about that too. For me Chisora belongs to the last generation too with his fights against Klitschko, Haye and Fury, but he's still 35 and I guess they'll try to push him further in the UK and get some good fights at least with Chisora on the undercard of Joshua or Whyte. Povtkin - Ortiz would be hell of a fight! If Ortiz loses against Wilder, I can only imagine that he may get a fight against Joshua to promote Joshua in the USA. His debut wasn't much of a success.
These fighters will never retire and will gradually have more and more body parts replaced by robotics. Ortiz will still be wheeled out as the bogeyman way into the next century. His ancient, leathered face drooling spittle as the Haymon 6.7 operating system cranks out pre approved lines about him being hungry and in better shape than ever and that 2167 will be his year.
For me Povetkin is in the top 5 HWs, Pulev 7 and its debatable if Ortiz is just in or just outside the top 10. Ortiz will get his title shot against Wilder and has the biggest chance of becoming WC as Wilder is limited and very beatable. Pulev is the IBF mandatory and apparently the IBF mandatory will be enforced before the WBO. Just depends who will be the defending Champion out Ruiz vs AJ. Povetkin, talk that he will be on the undercard Ruiz vs AJ undercard against Hunter. The winner of that will surley be in for shout of a title shot (not against Wilder though, their too toough of opponent for him).
Actually, after the Joshua-Povetkin fight, Joshua went to Povetkin's changing room and told him "I want to come to Russia". Wouldn't be surprised if Eddie Hearn gets a Joshua-Povetkin rematch in Russia, after his business in Saudi Arabia. Not the fight i neccessarily want to see again, but people in Russia would love to see their fighter in a world title fight, it would sell good there. Who knows... still better opponent for Joshua than the likes of Wallin, Schwartz...
