In exactly a fortnight it will have been a year since the bruising cruiser last competed (and five months since he celebrated his 35th birthday). Technically, every major org is within its rights to drop him from their rankings. I don't believe the IBF will hold it against him that COVID-19 altered the landscape, forcing multiple postponements of his mooted challenge of their champion Yunier Dorticós Pao in the WBSS finals. Still, though - if a new date for that event can't be pulled together quickly and enough time passes between the gradual return of the sport and WBSS negotiations finalized, the IBF could in theory decide to move forward in another direction...leaving Briedis at square one and on the down-slide of his thirties. Likewise, though he is currently not top 15 in any rivaling org (not the WBC, nor WBA, nor WBO) he might have previously been at least top 40 - and given his choice to pursue the IBF route I'd not expect their competitors to extend him any such courtesy or mercy. IBF or bust...and tick-tock, prime's a wasting. He needs that Dorticós match to be made sooner than later - and when it does happen, it'll be must-win. A loss there puts him at the bottom of a steep hill, with a crop of formidable young CW's all scrambling to use his face like a foothold.
He's one of a few guys who covid really isn't doing any favours, mid 30s and already somewhat inactive, a closed doors tune up wouldn't be a bad idea
Guys that are younger than Briedis and world class already or very close to it: Michał Cieślak Arsen Goulamiriam Ryad Merhy Tommy McCarthy Noel Gevor Bilal Laggoune Deion Jumah Ricardo Snijders Ali Baloyev Jai Opetaia Fabio Turchi Nikodem Jeżewski Andrew Tabiti Deon Nicholson Jack Massey (robbed vs. Riakporhe in December, should remain undefeated) ...Tischenko and Egorov, yes. I don't personally like Okolie, Fayfer or Lerena one bit for various reasons (mostly they are boring and/or horrid aesthetically), yet they are in the conversation as well. @Serge @UnleashtheFURY @CST80 did I miss anyone obvious?
Yeah, could have won the Ali trophy and firmly encsconced a nice legacy (top 15 cruiser, maybe, if kept a steady regimen of at least so-so defenses) under the buzzer just before his prime nudges its way past half-life and into entropy. Now, he's going to hit the ground already with over twelve months' rust (more like at least fifteen) no matter what...already hurtling towards 40.
That's about it, but maybe I'd throw in Chris Billam-Smith, Efetober Apochi, Kai Robin Havnaa, for good measure.
