So it looks like it will be an exciting year in the Heavyweight division as 4 of the top 10 fighters will be doing what fighters do: fighting eachother. And then most likely Adamek will be in that mix later this year. It is hard to rank the fighters after the top 2(3-8 are very close) as there has been so much inactivity and not really much of big fights recently, but this is soon to change! 1. Wladimir Klitschko - You can make a case that Vitali is better H2H, but Wlad has been taking on the better opposition, and stopping them. (Previous fights: Peter KO10, Chambers KO 12, Chagaev RTD 9) 2. Vitali Klitschko - Had a close fight with the last emperor (Lewis), and has been dominant since coming out of retirement, and by that I mean not losing one round! Will be fighting his most dangerous opponent in a while(I think). (Previous fights: Briggs W 12, Sosonwski KO 10, Kingpin W 12) 3. David Haye - Last year, I would have had Povetkin or Chagaev in this place. And it seems that it is always the next Klitschko opponent that gets put here before he is beat. But his win over Valuev is impressive and his history of early KOs at CW make him the most dangerous opponent for the Klitschkos right now. (Previous fights: Harrison KO 3, Ruiz KO 9, Valuev W 12) 4. Ruslan Chugaev - Solid as a rock, holds the most impressive win over Valuev but like his former opponent faced health problems that have prevented him from taking on the best competition. He will be a great test for up-and-coming young prospects. (Previous fights: Walker W 8, Meehan W 12, Wlad L 9) 5. Alexander Povetkin - Let's get real, what happened to this guy? He had an Olympic gold and win over Byrd and Chambers, and was ready for a title shot. Maybe he would be schooled by Wlad if they fought but his boxing ability is definitely among the best in the division. Will probably get back in the mix in 2012, whether it's professionally or Olympicly. (Previous WHO??!!: Firtha W 12, Oruh KO 5, Mora KO 5) 6. Odlanier Solis - I know, he is fat, he has gotten a taste of American excess, but he still has legitimate heavyweight power. Do not snooze on this guy, because under that fat is a pretty good boxer. (Previous fights: Austin W 7, Drummond W 3, Barrett KO 2) 7. Tomasz Adamek - Has made a nice start to his HW career beating some former contenders. Looks to be set for a Klitschko later in the year, however, it would have been great to see him and Haye at CW with some of the talent emerging at that division. I guess there is just more money at HW. He also fights the most frequently out of all the people on this list which is nice to see. (Previous fights: Maddalone KO 5, Grant W 12, Arreola W 12) 8. Eddie Chambers - Had a good fight against Povetkin until the late rounds, and has beaten contenders Peter and Dimitrenko. Has had a slow rebound from his fight with Wlad. Hopefully will be back to good fight soon, a rematch with Povetkin would be nice to see. (Previous fights: Rossy W 12, Wlad L 12, Dimitrenko W 12) 9. Tony Thompson - Not sure how long he will stick around at 39, but with his size, is a good barometer for anyone. (Previous fights: Marrinacio KO 4, Beck KO 4, Witherspoon KO 9) 10a. Sam Peter - Got another shot at a Klitschko to the same end result. Not clear where he goes from here. 10b. Robert Helenius - Maybe not a contender yet, but is looking good in his fights. It would be nice to see he step up against one of the above fighters or someone like Dimitrenko.
HW is ****, who cares. Bantamweight is way more exciting since years. And it's Vitali who is number 1, not Wlad. Glasschin can't be any top.
Wlad has had the best record in the division in the past five years. Maybe he has a weak chin but he can win despite it.
1. Vitali 2. Wlad 3. Haye 4. Adamek 5. Povetkin 6. Solis 7. Chambers 8. Chagaev 9. SNV 10. Helenius something like that..
1. Vitali 2. Wladimir 3. Solis 4. Povetkin 5. Adamek 6. Haye 7. Chamber's 8. Chagaev 9. Peter 10. Boystov
Wlad has decisively beaten Ibragimov, Chagaev and Chambers, has Vitali really been more impressive since his comeback? It just seems to me that Wlad is able to hurt his opponents more effectively than Vitali. Whatever you think of his chin you cannot deny his performance.
SNV is a tough matchup for anyone, but can you really make a case for him being above 9? He has been outclassed against smaller guys who can box.
That would be EPIC, the Klitschko's do not usually get to face guys as big and strong as them, though I think he would get beat down. It was sad to hear him respond to Vitali about the fight proposal a few months ago, and how its almost not worth it for him to take $1M because he is signed with Don King. It is rare to criticize your own promotion situation like this, but it shows the kind of reach King still has.
1. Wladamir Klitschko 2. Vitali Klitschko 3. David Haye 4. Thomas Ademak 5. Odlanier Solis 6. Alexander Povetkin 7. Ruslan Chagaev 8. Eddie Chambers 9. Chris Arreola 10. Robert Helenius