So we have list by the end of 2009: Wladimir Klitschko, Champion Vitali Klitschko Alexander Povetkin Eddie Chambers Ruslan Chagaev David Haye Chris Arreola Denis Boytsov Nikolay Valuev Alexander Dimitrenko Tony Thompson And current: Tyson Fury Deontay Wilder Andy Ruiz jr Anthony Johsua Dillian Whyte Luis Ortiz Alexander Povetkin Jozeph Parker Adam Kownacki Kubrat Pulev Match-ups: Wlad (2009) vs Fury Vitali vs Wilder Povetkin vs Ruiz jr Chambers vs AJ Chagaev vs Whyte Haye vs Ortiz Arreola vs Povetkin (2019) Boytsov vs Parker Valuev vs Kownacki Dimitrenko vs Pulev WHICH ERA IS STRONGER? Who takes it?
The lower part of 2009 is pretty weak though. Dimi was schooled by Pulev easily, and Boytsov never beat anyone decent. Valuev is just better version of Ustinov.
Wlad Vitali Povetkin (?) AJ Chagaev Haye Povetkin Parker (?) Valuev and Kownacki draw Pulev Let today's guys fight 2009's fighters who ranked one spot below them and they fare better and good fights are being made now. 10-20 is probably better now too. Vitali and Wlad would rule today if they were around..
That Wlad and that Vitali beat anyone from 2019. But the second half of 2019 is actually better than in 2009.
As they are now and were back then, now probably really is quite a bit stronger overall. A good few of them weren't at their best in 2009. Tyson Fury Vs Wladimir Klitschko Wlad Deontay Wilder Vs Vitali Klitschko Wilder Andy Ruiz jr Vs Alexander Povetkin Ruiz Jr Anthony Johsua Vs Eddie Chambers Joshua Dillian Whyte Vs Ruslan Chagaev Chagaev Luis Ortiz Vs David Haye David Haye Alexander Povetkin Vs Chris Arreola Povetkin Jozeph Parker Vs Denis Boytsov Parker Adam Kownacki Vs Nikolay Valuev Kownacki Kubrat Pulev Vs Alexander Dimitrenko Pulev
My opinion won't win a popularity contest, but I'd argue that 2019's list is stronger, more stacked, more competitive and they haven't even peaked yet. We've got some strong guys in the current division, 2009 was good till you get past Povetkin and then it's meh.. David Haye is an excellent boxer, but was never going to be a true force at heavyweight. With guys like Wlad and Povetkin and Vitali hovering around. Today's division is so much more exciting given the level playing field. It has grown organically, almost as if mother nature molded it herself through natural selection as we have species like Joseph Parker born with an ironclad chin to withstand mighty predator species like Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Beyonce Wilder. Then we have species like Ruiz, akin to a Venus fly trap, Ruiz is seemingly benevolent and not to be taken seriously at first glance, but get too close and the smiles fade as his quick hands create a wave of destruction in mere seconds. Tyson Fury, the biggest among them, yet with the ability to outmaneuver all the smaller men with impressive agility. Anyone can have their day, as AJ has lost his air of invincibility, the division is now back open and taking orders.
Wlad (2009) vs Fury Vitali vs Wilder Povetkin vs Ruiz jr Chambers vs AJ Chagaev vs Whyte Haye vs Ortiz Arreola vs Povetkin (2019) Boytsov vs Parker Valuev vs Kownacki Dimitrenko vs Pulev
I'd pick Wlad, Vitali, Povetkin, Haye, and Chagaev to beat everyone in the top 10 today, including prime Povetkin to beat 39 y/o Povetkin obviously. Prime Wlad sparks out AJ, Bum Squad, and Ruiz and the first 2 in a couple of rounds if he so chooses. This era is pure garbage.
Then why instead of Thompson we are using Boytsov and Dimitrenko in match ups, who are in 10 without actually defeating decent fighters in their entire career. Boytsov was even destroyed by Leapai.
