Now that all the title fights for the WBO, Klitschko vs. Thompson, the WBA, Chagaev vs. Valuev, and IBF, Klitschko vs. Povetkin (assuming Klit beats Thompson I guess) are set, I'm wondering who will be fighting in the next round of eliminator fights. Who will be in the mix, Chambers, Dimitrenko, some washed up has been? And maybe, just maybe, the WBO and IBF could unify their eliminator fight to match the unified title held by Klitschko, no that would make too much sense.
Yes, having one final mandatory challenger to face Klitschko for both titles would greatly help him keep both titles, and in turn, help keep the division on the upswing to where it can continue to further clear up who is THE MAN at heavy..............so we know the organizations won't go along with it, cause as you said, it makes too much sense. I think in the next wave of eliminators fights, we'll probably see Dimitrenko finally emerge onto the big stage, yes. He won't get very far once he faces a top fighter, as he's overrated, but he'll get his chance, in my opinion. Maybe Tua, if he gets a win, at some point, over a decent opponent.. That's a big IF, so I am not holding my breath. But the Tua name has clout that will afford a boost to his position in line if he'd only take the initiative and increase his pace and level of opposition......but maybe he don't feel he's gonna win against a better opponent, and hence, he don't take on any good fighter............Who knows........ I feel if he were confident enough to think he can beat a good opponent, he'd already have taken on one. Maybe his reflexes are not what they should be, and he knows it. The unsinkable Andrew Golota will probably find himself in an eliminator, as well. Possibly Briggs, too.
Predominantly old fighters, I'm afraid. I hope the different orgs will all do a mini tournament for the #1 spot as the IBF did last year, and I too wish for a "unified IBF/WBO final eliminator". My predictions of who will be in the respective tournaments IBF: Rahman Chambers Arreola Golota WBO: Dimitrenko Ibragimov (Maskaev) if he does not decide to retire for good Chapman (though I think that with Universum's huge influence on the WBO, this one could go without any sort of real eliminator after an assumed Dimitrenko win over Derric Rossy on May 3) WBA: Ruiz Meehan Bidenko Moorer
Briggs vs Golata could be an eliminator if the fight ends up happening. hopefully its IBF or WBO so Briggs can get a crack at Klitschkos chin.
That would be nice, Golota/Briggs would be pretty exciting, I think Briggs can win this fight if he pressures Golota early, I still believe Briggs is the most Heavy handed fighter currently in the division.
That's right, Haye's also in the mix! Doesn't he get the automatic #1 ranking by WBA or WBO as soon as he moves up? (I just assume he doesn't want to wait for the WBC to sort out their hw mess)
