Middleweights TOP 15

So, here we go again. I want to see what you think of my list. This is my own prediction and ranking of the 160-pounders, and whey they would stand with each other.

1. ARTHUR ABRAHAM

-Beats most top conters by sheer toughness. Awesome punch. Good chin. Stiff guard. Tactically able and very, very strong. Lazy work rate, but so far, who cares?


2. KELLY PAVLIK

-Awesome punch output and sledgehammer right. Good chin, withstood Miranda´s war and survived B-Hop´s domination. Something might have been exposed in his last fight, and I feel Abraham would use that and outsmart him in their fight.


3. FELIX STURM

-Technically very admirable. Schooled DLH at times. Can out-box anyone in the division, but is unlikely to survive Abraham´s power or Pavlik´s raining rights. His chin is questionable, since Castillejo took him down early and brutally stopped him late. Also had problems with Griffin. Tends to trade eagerly, when shouldn´t. Definitely no puncher. Has more potential than showed of late.


4. AMIN ASIKAINEN

-Good boxer, but not as technically sound as Sturm or a high-volume puncher like Pavlik. Long arms, uses his reach advantage. Asikainen will always be dangerous, because he has a tremendous one-punch power. Dropped Sylvester twice and stunned Campas enough for TKO. His chin might be in question, though I feel the main reason for his worn late rounds was the neck punch in his 2nd meeting with Sylvester. Has the killer instinct, knows when to trade and when to box.


5. SEBASTIAN SYLVESTER

-Great stiff jab. Good right cross, which is very undermined in power. Has developed his tactics and adopted a disciple style to guard his weak chin. Can look great against aggressive fighters who come to him (see Castillejo fight). But will struggle with box-and-movers (even Rotolo, Mezaache) and also guys like Abraham who are simply too strong for him. His technical abilities make him a hard foe for Asikainen, but Asikainen has the ability to overcome him as the more multi-dimensional fighter.


6. JAVIER CASTILLEJO

-Call me a fool, but I still rate the old fox this high. He has THE devil in him. Good punch and very much tested chin. His mobility and defense ruin the night for him against the likes of Sturm and Sylvester. But he can still make a very tough night for Asikainen, Gevor, Griffin and such guys...


7. RANDY GRIFFIN

-Very obscure, but proved his world-class ability with Sturm. Has nothing worth mentioning in the punching department, but has heart, moves well and is slick. Quite complete fighter, if he only had the punch. Will most likely just fade into oblivion? 3 fights in last 3 years...


8. KHOREN GEVOR

-Stylish southpaw. Aggressive style. Good chin, took Abraham for 10 full rounds with plenty of trading. Armenian heart = strong. However, he could really use a better punch. His lack of really meaningful power and reach puts him at disadvantage with Asikainen in the coming fight. I also feel these other world title-fighters above him could deal with him, though he would be a menace.


9. RAUL MARQUEZ

-Experienced and smart. Surprised everybody except me by beating Lorenzo. The kid was most untested and Marquez has a track record with the big boys. Not so good one, but don´t underestimate him. Who knows what he´ll give to Abraham in terms of tactical fighting.


10. DAVID LOPEZ

-12 losses, last one three years ago, and has looked really good since then. No world-class scalps, but obviously good fringe contenders. Seems to have a decent punch and mexican heart. Good mobility. No pushover for anyone, fresher version of Yori Boy Campas.


11. MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO

-Another sturdy mexican with decent punch. Unlikely to survive at the very top, but an entertaining spice in the mix. Should become another rapid Pavlik victim though... he should rather chase Sturm.


12. JAMES MCGIRT JR.

-Had his performance with Joval. I personally believe that Joval was just shot, and McGirt is no real contender who could make his way to world title fights. The upcoming fight with Upshaw is unlikely to affect my opinion, since he should be just a pushover for McGirt.


13. JOHN DUDDY

-What can I say...he sure can make an entertaining fight. But chasing the world titles doesn´t look reliable if you get hospitalized by Smichet. Eastman win would´ve counted more years ago. But he remains undefeated. His KO ratio fools you a bit, the power isn´t meaningful in world class. Huge heart and iron chin. Is moving down to 154 maybe, where his power counts for more, yet his skills meet even harder tests. World champion - NO WAY. Better than most you think - SURE.


14. DMITRY PIROG

-I personally have great faith in this Russian. His wins over Chirkov, Kodzoev and Ajetovic have made him a legit euro top dog. Not to mention that he KO´s his opponents! He also beat his very experienced compatriot Tatevosyan, in what was just his 4th pro fight! EBU champ in the making...


15. ELVIN AYALA

-Ayala´s mobility and skill convinced me against Abraham. He has no punch, but he sure is slick. Draw with Mora and almost-12-rounds with Abraham has to count for something. No pushover. Would be real fun to see him with Griffin in the ring. American rhythm brawling!

 

Like I said, this is not based on resume simply. I believe that Abraham and Asikainen would beat their rivals Pavlik and Sylvester, if Abraham - Pavlik and AA - SS III would be made.

 

Ranking Duddy above Asikainen and Sylvester is a good joke.

Now that you have thrown a joke, give me your real list, Vincent!

 

VHB rankings updated, November 12th, 2008:

1. ARTHUR ABRAHAM

2. KELLY PAVLIK

3. FELIX STURM

4. AMIN ASIKAINEN

5. RANDY GRIFFIN

6. SEBASTIAN SYLVESTER

7. KHOREN GEVOR

8. JAVIER CASTILLEJO

9. DAVID LOPEZ

10. MARCO ANTONIO RUBIO

11. RAUL MARQUEZ

12. DMITRY PIROG

13. WAYNE ELCOCK (new)

14. ELVIN AYALA

15. MAHIR ORAL (new)


DEMOTIONS:

-Sylvester from 5th to 6th. Griffin did better twice against Sturm.

-Castillejo from 6th to 8th. Inactivity and doubts for future.

-Marquez down from 9th to 11th. Lost to Abraham decisively in 6 rounds.

-Duddy has officially moved to 154. His ranking was in doubt anyway...

-McGirt removed. Draw with Upshaw...

PROMOTIONS:

-Griffin up from 7th to 5th due to Castillejo inactivity and Sylvester´s failure to give Sturm more of a fight.

-Gevor up from 8th to 7th due to having an upcoming EBU title fight with Asikainen, while Castillejo remains inactive.

-Lopez up from 10th to 9th due to his good win over Miller while Marquez got decisive beatdown.

-Rubio up from 11th to 10th due to his eliminator win and Marquez defeat.

-Pirog up from 14th to 12th due to McGirt and Duddy removal.

-Ayala up from 15th to 14th due to McGirt and Duddy removal.

ENTRIES:

-Wayne Elcock, 13th. British champion. Wins over Eastman, Bendall, McDerm.

-Mahir Oral, 15th. Former EU champion. Wins over Spada, Sipos, Dzemski.


PS. Ranking Wright, Mundine and Williams is for the hype trainers. I´m talking about the Middleweight division here. Winky is nowhere near it for now, Mundine fought once at catchweight with some jap, Williams is all rumours for now... Daniel Geale I might rank soon, but first he needs a NAME on his record...

 

Yes, Abraham is just too tough. Pavlik is great, but not what he seemed.

Asikainen at 4 is just evidence of the poor state of this division. Live with it. He is a good fighter, but former european champ shouldn´t be so high if the competition was tough.

Griffin twice in a world title fight, getting a draw and 116-112 UD loss... and many feel he should´ve won the first fight. Sylvester fought the same guy and lost almost every round. How else do you compare these guys? Another one is American, another one German, they fought with Sturm, Griffin schooled him first time out, earned a rematch but lost it, though not badly. Sylvester got schooled once and for all...

Who has Daniel Geale fought? He stays in Australia...