Will there ever be another small Heavyweight Champ?

No. That's why it now needs to be called "superheavyweight". The changes that have went on over the last 30 years or so favour bigger slower heavyweights. We need to get back to the real heavyweight division of 190-224. Put all the bigger guys in their own division. It should have happened years ago. What we have now is not a heavyweight division, it is getting away from the art and has become a division where age is no longer a factor. where fighters are too big to overcome reach advantage. all that matters is having longer arms and being heavy enough to jab, grab and neutralise the other guy. Over 200lb It's almost a new sport with a separate identity to all other boxing weight classes where boxers can still box like real boxers. It needs a weight cap.

 

Sure, it's possible but they'll have to be fast and athletic with great defense and reflexes.

 

I like your if.....

 

There will be another dominant champion, under six feet tall, but he will probably weigh significantly more than 200lbs. The reality is that even a light heavyweight can bulk up to 210lbs today.

We will continue to see small heavyweight champions, but they will be a different kind.

 

Is that a problem though? Most of these 250 pounders would be better for it. However, it is a good point you make because the 250 guy simply rehydrates after the weigh in and all the ludicrous man hugging continues..

As a deterant perhaps smaller gloves could be introduced to fighters giving away more than 14lb?

 

That style of heavyweight is in plentiful supply at Cruiserweight, where fighters routinely rehydrate up to 210, 215, and, in Guillermo Jones' case, 329 pounds on fight night. Many are as big as most heavyweights pre-90's because they cut weight to get to 200. Marco Huck would have a noticeable size advantage on Joe Frazier, for example.

Top Cruiserweights are typically capable of moving up and performing at a world-rated level, so I'm sure we'll see a former Cruiserweight become champion without putting on a ton of weight. It's early out, but I wouldn't be surprised if Usyk pulled it off.

The real question is will we ever see another LHW move up and beat a titlist, let alone become champion? I think we're past those days, but it'd be fun to see...

 

It really was. It would only have been surpassed by Lebedev in the rematch, had it come off. The original plan was for Denis to weigh in and replace himself just prior to the ringwalk with comrade Valuev, disguised as himself, as retribution for Guillermo adding so much water weight in the first fight. Some say the faint whispers "Hey Culligan Man!" are still heard in his locker room to this day.

But, Guillermo got wind of the plan, flunked a test, and saved himself the just dues coming his way.

I've even tracked down an artist's rendering of what the costumed Valuev looked like while doing character work on Lebedev, as he is an incredibly thorough actor. Here, we see him modeled after Lebedev's first fight with Jones:
https://popsloth.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/sloth___the_goonies_by_bezerkartwerk-d6ftf38.jpg

 

How small are we talkin

 

Marciano was a small dog.
Ali a medium dog.
Klitschko the big dog.

Welcome to the real world... just suck it in...

 

No.

Maybe a dude that was 6.2 220, but he would have to be really amazing for 220.

the problem for smaller guys is the clinching, pushing, shoving etc. It changes all of the normal angles that a smaller guy can generate, thus it changes the way that smaller guy is able to fight.

 

The HW division mechanics has changed ,fighting aty 200 and at 240 plus is totally different..myself am not that big,but I hit hard,however I cant put vids as im not allowed yet...Jesse oltmann a sparring partner of mine fought 250 Barboza for a state HW north east title after a 3 year lay off...I can tell you weight of a 220 and 250 HW is extremely different if you are going to eat punches...that being said he lost round one,however this proves the posts point,i saw first hand and can tell you anyway most 220 and under guys even better fighters lose to the 225 plus guys.there are exceptions but you have to hit hard and be skilled..i haven't seen it since Marciano at a small Hw and he never beat guys like those with actual size of the 220 plus with skill and I really don't put him over me,TBH! I really don't think he gets by the likes of a Mitch blood green,and im smaller than Marciano in height.Point being is I agree with a Super Hw division!