Ruslan Chagaev in the 1940's and 1950's

Ruslan Chagaev in the 1940's and 1950's

When Chagaev turned pro, there was some buzz around him as he was 2-1 vs. the legendary Felix Savon, beating Savon in the World Amatuer champions' finals 14-4 in 1997. Savon at the time was something like 94-1!

He followed this up by repeating as World amatuer champion in 2001.

Chagaev entered the professional game at 6'1 220lbs with a 74" reach, which was not ideal in a super heavyweight dominated heavyweight division. He was a solid boxer, with durability and a punch, not the fastest guy on his feet. Still, he had his share of big wins over Valuev, where he won it with defense and counter punching, John Ruiz, and Vyrchys. If you're not familiar with Vyrchys, Vitali Klitschko called him the hardest puncher. Rounding out his resume of wins were Meehan and Skelton.

A decent Alphabet champion only losing in his prime to Wlad and Povetkin, how would he do in the 1940's and 1950's, where he would be the bigger man for the most part, and a rare southpaw?


Heavyweights 1940 rankings

[url]Joe Louis[/url], Champion

1. [url]Max Baer[/url]
2. [url]Arturo Godoy[/url]
3. [url]Red Burman[/url]
4. [url]Abe Simon[/url]
5. [url]Buddy Walker[/url]
6. [url]Buddy Baer[/url]
7. [url]Pat Comiskey[/url]
8. [url]Lee Savold[/url]
9. [url]Otis Thomas[/url]
10. [url]Lem Franklin[/url]

>> I see Chagaev as #2 or #3

Heavyweights 1945 rankings

[url]Joe Louis[/url], Champion

1. [url]Billy Conn[/url]
2. [url]Tami Mauriello[/url]
3. [url]Jimmy Bivins[/url]
4. [url]Elmer Ray[/url]
5. [url]Bruce Woodcock[/url]
6. [url]Lee Oma[/url]
7. [url]Freddie Schott[/url]
8. [url]Arturo Godoy[/url]
9. [url]Jersey Joe Walcott[/url]
10. [url]Joe Baksi[/url]

>> I see Chagaev as #1 or #2 here. No worse than #4


Heavyweights 1950 ratings


[url]Ezzard Charles[/url], Champion

1. [url]Joe Louis[/url]
2. [url]Lee Saved[/url]
3. [url]Joey Maxim[/url]
4. [url]Clarence Henry[/url]
5. [url]Bob Baker[/url]
6. [url]Rex Layne[/url]
7. [url]Jersey Joe Walcott[/url]
8. [url]Jack Gardner[/url]
9. [url]Lee Oma[/url]
10. [url]Rocky Marciano[/url]

>>> In this time line, Chagaev could be Champion, or no worse than #2


Heavyweights 1955 ratings

[url]Rocky Marciano[/url], Champion

1. [url]Archie Moore[/url]
2. [url]Bob Baker[/url]
3. [url]Tommy (Hurricane) Jackson[/url]
4. [url]John Holman[/url]
5. [url]Willie Pastrano[/url]
6. [url]Nino Valdes[/url]
7. [url]Johnny Summerlin[/url]
8. [url]Bob Satterfield[/url]
9. [url]Young Jack Johnson[/url]
10. [url]Ezzard Charles[/url]

>>> After Rocky retires, Chagaev would be Champion or #1.

 

Chagaev and Ibragimov were scheduled to fight. It would have been a good one.

 

He could have. On film Charles liked to slug it out when he would have been better off boxing. If he slugs with Chagaev, he would very well lose.

 

Comfortably? I doubt it. Chagaev was a good boxer. He also had the better chin and power in compassion to Charles.

Charles was in with some top names, he won some and lost some, however he didn't aways shine vs the non-elite.

Example: Charles vs Valentino. Charles ended up winning it, but he was somewhat bewildered and weary by the finish. It's on film to watch. Valentino would be an early KO visit for Chagaev.

How Charles lost to Layne is beyond me. He lost to Valdes, Holman, Jackson, ect...point being is Chagaev was better than the non champion fighters who made Charles struggle or defeated him. Let's not discount the weight advantage here either.

Charles could win, but he would need to use his legs and faster hands to do so.