...to the HW contenders of other era? I know most will feel that todays HWs suck, but let's compare anyway. HW Champ- W. Klitschko- no doubt a bad mofo and I'll even add all-time great. Contenders, in no real order- Pulev- 20-0 (11) wins over Thompson W12, Ustinov KO11, and Dimitrinko KO11 among others. Has a shot vs. W. Klitschko. Thompson- 39-4 (26) wins over Solis W12, Price KO5 and KO2, Harris KO3, Beck KO4, Witherspoon KO9, L. Krasniqi KO5, T. Ibragimov W10, Guinn W10, and Bean W10 among others. Two losses to W. Klitschko (his only stoppage losses), a close loss to Pulev, the other loss was very early in his career. He's 6'5", 82" reach, about 245 Lbs. He is 43 but still one of the best HWs not named Klitschko. I can't help but think that this guy would have been a force in another era. Fury 22-0 (16) wins over Cunningham KO7, K. Johnson W12, and Chisora W12 among others. 6'9", 85' reach, and about 250 Lbs. Wilder 31-0 (31) wins over Scott KO1, Liakhovich KO1, Harrison KO1, and Beck KO3 among others. 6'7", 84" reach, and about 225 Lbs. Stiverne 23-1-1 (20) wins over Arreola W12 and Austin KO10 among others. He was stopped early in his career and had a draw vs. Charles Davis about 5 years ago. 6'2", 80" reach, and about 240 Lbs. Fighting Arreola again tonight. Arreola 36-3 (31) wins over Mitchell KO1, McCline KO4, Walker KO3, Witherspoon WDQ3. He has close losses to Stiverne and Adamek. He was stopped in 11 by V. Klitschko. 6'3", 76" reach, and about 240 Lbs. Helenius 19-0 (11) wins over Chisora W12, Liakhovich KO9, and Peter KO9 among others. 6'7", 79" reach, and about 240 Lbs. Solis 20-2 (13) wins over Austin WDQ10 and Barrett KO2 among others. A close loss to Thompson and a 1st round KO loss to V. Klitschko. 6'2", 79" reach, and 250 Lbs. OK, not exactly Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Norton, Lyle, Young, Bugner, Quarry, and Shavers. Not close at all to Holyfield, Tyson, Bowe, Lewis, Foreman, Holmes, Moorer, and others. Thoughts.
Unless I'm mistaken, I think Helenius is retired. But anyway.. Foolish as it may sound I think Derek Chisora would at least be a tough gate keeper in a strong era and perhaps even a lower ranked contender in some of the more average periods. He's not especially talented but he's as tough as anyone and not afraid to fight anybody. In some ways he's a little bit like Mike Weaver but without the hercules physique. I've only seen Bermane Stiverne fight Areola and while he does appear to have some skills, I'm not comfortable judging a guy based on one performance. Arreola is a decent fighter but can't see him being anything special. Maybe a gate keeper or upper tier journeyman in a strong era. Perhaps a fringe guy in a weak era. The jury is still out on Deontay Wilder, but he definitely has the physical tools and the willingness to fight often.. Tony Thompson is a guy that I've actually developed a lot of respect for over the years. He's lasted well into old age and in one of his last fights managed to throw something like 1,000 punches. Needless to say he has stamina, moderate boxing ability and power that is slightly better than average.. I like thompson. Had he started at a younger age with the right influence he might have been better in another period. Never seen Pulev fight, so I'll hold the comments. Only saw Fury fight Cunningham about a year ago and after watching him get decked early by a much smaller, older and not too powerful guy, I have questions about his balance, defense and chin. If nothing else, his size and strength might make him a force, but in a talent packed division, it might take a bit more than that to go places.
They are a pretty sorry lot really. Klitschko is obviously an all time great. Pulev is decent. Beyond that you have a very weak top 10.
Its almost not a sport anymore its so bad... I have high hopes for Anthony Joshua...somebody could smash through this lot like Tyson did mid to late eighties.
they all are about the same ups and downs. I think today we have a huge amount with great amateur resumes so they bring a lot of experience before they turn pro, overall a good era and its starting to heat up again
Not listed there is Bryant Jennings who might develop into a very interesting HW given time. He looks like the only thinking fighter out there to me. Adaptable. Let him learn it then you'll have a really good fighter on your hands I think. Fury is underestimated. End of the day he's 6'9 with an 85" reach and brings ugly pressure. He's obviously going to do alright in any era. Pulev might be pretty good.
The WBC are an absolute disgrace. They seem to be more concerned about having a marketable champion, than having one who is objectively the best heavyweight in the world.
there some dangerous fight coming for Vlad K. winner of the Stiverne-Wilder (I am leaning with Wilder the kid can punch) but so can Stiverne both these fights are not easy for a 38 yr old Vlad....I am not sure how Wilder takes a punch but he is young and 31-0 with 31 KO's and has power....these are dangerous tests for Vlad Pulev has some good tools a powerful left hand and nice size, he takes a good shot and has late power. This is not an easy fight for Vlad and formidable in any era Winner of Jennings-Perez (postponed till June) and possibly the winner of Fury and Chisora Jennings has shown adaptability and boxing ability and power, Perez had a bad fight last outing but durable with power. Fury has size, confidence and attitude, Chisora although battered by Haye has bounced back and is tough minded....the winner of these is a formidable foe in any era If Vlad can get past all 3 of these fights he will be 65-3 and moving up on the ATG ratings for me but this is not an easy test and he will be close to 40 when all is said and done
I think there are a few good HW fights that can be made, but they may not include Klitschko. He's already beat Thompson twice. Thompson did not offer much a fight either time but is among the top when compared to the rest of the HWs in the world. Pulev will probably get dominated. His big brother dominated and stopped Arreola and now Stiverne has two wins over him. Arreola is fun to watch but he is no serious threat to Klitschko's title. Stiverne vs. Wilder will be crowd pleasing. I can't wait to see it. Whoever wins will definately get a fight vs. Klitschko assuming he beats Pulev. I have no problems with the Stiverne vs. Wilder vs. Klitschko scenerio. Fury vs. Chisora II is interesting. Solis ain't bad, maybe he could fight Adamek or Cunningham? I would love to see David Haye fight again. Love him or hate him, he had serious potential at HW. What's up with Helenius? Is Glazkov any good? He did beat Adamek but I didn't see it. Jennings hasn't done much yet.
