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Heavyweight: 2011, Nov 28- Dec 4

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 28, 2011 by danboxing
There was one card with heavyweight significance this week, and- perhaps appropriately on Thanksgiving weekend- it was in Turkey.  Boxrec had Odlanier Solis scheduled to fight an unknown opponent, but I suspected he probably still wasn’t ready following multiple knee surgeries.  I seem to have been correct, as the fight evidently did not come off.  Czech fringe prospect Ondrej Pala, meanwhile, did answer the bell for his fight on the same card, however, and basically proved what we all pretty much knew anyway- that Darnell Wilson only beat Juan Carlos Gomez because the latter had a badly messed-up shoulder.  Pala, who in his career has lost to one nobody as well as Denis Boytsov, won by scores of 120-108 and 118-110 (twice) against glorified journeyman Wilson.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Heavyweight Rankings:
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko
1) Vitali Klitschko
2) Alexander Povetkin
3) Tomasz Adamek
4) Eddie Chambers
5) Robert Helenius
6) Alexander Dimitrenko
7) Denis Boystov
8) Ruslan Chagaev
9) Chris Arreola
10) Kubrat Pulev

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (127-340-340)
Last Fight: 7/2/2011- UD12 #2 David Haye
Next Fight: 12/10/2011- vs. #13 Jean Marc Mormeck
Wlad is already looking past Mormeck to his next fight, which he hopes will be against Antonio Tarver in the US.
1) Vitali Klitschko (164-164-164)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- TKO10 #6 Tomasz Adamek
Next Fight: Unknown
David Haye’s camp says Haye isn’t interested in coming out of his very brief retirement to fight Vitali, but Team Klitschko seems to be hearing different feedback from Haye’s people.  Vitali apparently wants that fight, but has given Haye a mid-December deadline to decide whether or not to take the offer he’s been given.  Vitali says he’ll announce his next opponent the week after his brother’s December 10 defense regardless of who it is.
2) Alexander Povetkin (14-214-214)
Last Fight: 8/27/2011- UD12 #6 Ruslan Chagaev
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Cedric Boswell
Povetkin’s fight with Boswell will be televised by EPIX (which is not available in my area) and streamed on EpixHD.com.  Povetkin definitely wants a Klitschko in 2012.
3) Eddie Chambers (7-139-139)
Last Fight: 2/11/2011- UD12 Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s been about a month since Chambers-Thompson was supposed to have happened before a Chambers back injury, and I’ve seen no talk of rescheduling.  I would expect it will still happen, but will assume the fight is off until I hear different.
4) Robert Helenius (7-35-79)
Last Fight: 8/27/2011- TKO9 Sergei Liakhovich (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #18 Dereck Chisora
Helenius-Chisora will be televised on EPIX (an on-demand-based cable channel that isn’t available in my area) and streamed on Epixhd.com.
5) Tomasz Adamek (7-84-84)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- L (TKO10) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Next Fight: Unknown
Chris Arreola wants to fight him, but Adamek is talking about a rematch with Andrew Golota.  Are you f’ing kidding me???
6) Tyson Fury (3-19-19)
Last Fight: 11/12/2011- TKO3 Neven Pajkic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fury is already working on his next fight, which may be March 17 at Madison Square Garden for his US debut.  The most likley opponent at this point appears to be undefeated Russian prospect Magomed Abdusalamov.
7) Ruslan Chagaev (3-263-263)
Last Fight: 8/27/2011- L (UD12) vs. #5 Alexander Povetkin
Next Fight: 1/21/2011- vs. Unknown Opponent
Chagaev has a fight scheduled against an opponent to be announced in January.
8) Tony Thompson (7-79-79)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- TKO3 Maurice Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Chambers’ comments, above.
9) Odlanier Solis (7-50-79)
Last Fight: 3/19/2011- L (TKO1) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Next Fight: Unknown
Solis appears to still be recovering from multiple knee surgeries.
10) Alexander Dimitrenko (7-7-46)
Last Fight: 9/24/2011- UD12 Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dimitrenko had elbow surgery, and his mandatory defense with Robert Helenius has been delayed until presumably sometime after Helenius’ reserved December 3 date.
11) Chris Arreola (7-141)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- TKO3 Raphael Butler (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola wants to fight Wlad and/or Adamek in the near future.
12) Denis Boytsov (7-128)
Last Fight: 9/24/2011- TKO6 Matthew Greer (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
13) Jean Marc Mormeck (7-79)
Last Fight: 12/2/2010- SD12 #19 Timur Ibragimov
Next Fight: 12/10/2011- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
The former cruiserweight king will fight for a legitimate championship in his 2nd weight division on December 10 in Germany.  If David Haye couldn’t do anything against Wlad, I don’t know why the guy from whom Haye took the title will fare any better, especially when he is significantly older and more used up than was the Brit.
14) Bermane Stiverne (7-23)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- TKO10 #20 Ray Austin
Next Fight: Unknown
Despite a still-thin resume, Stiverne has somehow been maneuvered into the position of being Vitali Klitschko’s WBC mandatory challenger.
15) Samuel Peter (7-79)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L(KO9) vs. #16 Robert Helenius
Next Fight: Unknown
It appeared that Peter would be fighting Vyacheslav Glazkov, but apparently it was never a done deal.
16) Kubrat Pulev (6-55)
Last Fight: 10/22/2011- UD12 Travis Walker (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
17) Franklin Lawrence (6-27)
Last Fight: 10/28/2011- TKO2 Raymond Ochieng (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Dereck Chisora (7-63)
Last Fight: 11/11/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #4 Robert Helenius
He’ll need to be in top shape to have a chance against the crushing power of Robert Helenius.
19) Timur Ibragimov (7-10)
Last Fight: 12/2/2010- L (SD12) vs. #18 Jean Marc Mormeck
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. Seth Mitchell (UNR)
Ibragimov will serve as a measuring stick on December 10 when he attempts to shut the gate on America’s best heavyweight prospect, Seth Mitchell.  The fight will be televised by HBO.
20) Cedric Boswell (7-7)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- UD10 Kertson Manswell (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Boswell gets the opportunity of his life on December 3, but it will be no easy task against #2 Povetkin.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: This is actually a pretty big week at heavyweight.  We get our appetizer on Friday, when aging but still promising undefeated prospect Amir Mansour of Wilmington, Delaware takes on journeyman Epifanio Mendoza in Dover, just a short drive from Mansour’s house.  Mendoza, listed at 6’1″ incredibly turned pro way down at junior lightweight, but was a reasonably competitive fighter as high as light heavyweight.  He is not a big threat at this size, though, as he has been stopped in 4 (all at cruiserweight) of his last 8 fights, though he did score a stoppage victory against an undefeated prospect recently in fellow undersized heavyweight Carlos Negron.  I’m betting that Mansour will prove to be light years ahead of Negron.

 

The following night, Finland will play host to one of those typical European cards loaded with notable heavyweights.  And none of these are really cupcake gimme type of fights, either.  #2 Alexander Povetkin will take on aged but still very capable #20 Cedric Boswell.  #4 Robert Helenius will face a most likely in-shape version of #18 Dereck Chisora, and undefeated prospect Edmund Gerber gets a halfway decent opponent for once in respectable English journeyman Matt Skelton. 

 

Skelton was a real contender a few years ago, but began a precipitous slide into mediocrity when he lost his Commonwealth title to Martin Rogan in 2009.  Still, he’s about twice as good as anybody Gerber has fought in nearly 2 years. 

 

Helenius is one of the most devastating punchers in the sport, but frequently gets outboxed badly before seemingly destroying his opponent at will late in the fight.  Chisora has proven to be a pretty good fighter, but came in so badly out of shape for this year’s fight with Tyson Fury that he gave himself little chance.  Since he has only 3 weeks between his last fight and this one, and since he came in just one pound over his career low weight for his last fight, we can assume he’ll be in something like top shape for Helenius, and thus I predict we’ll see a close fight or maybe even a dominant performance by Chisora, at least until Helenius turns it on late.

 

Povetkin should be too young and skilled for Boswell, but I expect Boswell to give a pretty decent account of himself, especially given his age.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Oct 24-30

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 27, 2011 by danboxing
#5 Marco Huck prevailed over the weekend in an apparently very dirty fight in Ludwigsburg, Germany over Argentine fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.  The fight featured knockdowns, point deductions, low blows, and hitting after the bell.  A veritable smorgasbord of entertainingly outrageous action.  Rossi was down 3 times in total, including a stone-cold knockout in round 5, not long after Huck was docked two points for intentionally hitting after the bell (he said he didn’t hear the bell).  On the undercard, novice Welshman Hari Miles ended up hanging in there for the full 8 with #16 Enad Licina, but that would have to be victory enough, as Licina won a foregone conclusion of a unanimous decision.

 

Since Steve Cunningham is only ranked as low as #4 as a sort of necessary evil, Huck can’t really hope to advance past him by beating a mere fringe contender at this time.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Marco Huck
2) Yoan Pablo Hernandez
3) Steve Cunningham
4) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
5) Denis Lebedev
6) Troy Ross
7) Antonio Tarver
8) Giacobbe Fragomeni
9) Ola Afolabi
10) Guillermo Jones


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (14-90-90)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. James Toney (UNR)
Lebedev follows his ugly beat-down of washed-up legend Roy Jones, Jr. with a fight against…washed-up legend James Toney.
2) Antonio Tarver (4-14-14)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
3) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (4-70-70)
Last Fight: 10/1/2011- W(SD6) vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Hernandez’s mandatory for now appears to be Troy Ross.  It seems possible that popular demand could lead to a rematch with Cunningham, though, too.
4) Steve Cunningham (4-384-384)
Last Fight: 10/1/2011- L(SD6) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
Cunningham was all but robbed in his last fight, but left just enough doubt by getting knocked down in the first to leave him behind his opponent in the rankings.
5) Marco Huck (4-255-255)
Last Fight: 10/22/2011- KO5 Rogelio Rossi (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Huck may be literally getting too big for his britches, as he has been publicly agitating for a fight with heavyweight #1 contender Vitali Klitschko.  Vitali seems to have some interest, and there are talks that the fight might happen in February or March.
6) Ola Afolabi (4-137-137)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
7) Guillermo Jones (14-56-56)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/5/2011- vs. Michael Marrone (UNR)
If it’s still possible to do so, Jones is making a mockery of his alphabet title.  He hasn’t fought a mandatory defense in something like 3 years, injury-free, and is now set to fight a joke of a defense against Michael Marrone.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (30-331-331)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (14-99-99)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (14-154-154)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) B.J. Flores (2-70)
Last Fight: 10/15/2011- UD10 Paul Jennette (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The natural assumption is that Flores is in line for a shot at Don King stablemate Guillermo Jones.
12) Francisco Palacios (2-30)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
13) Lateef Kayode (2-49)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 outings.
14) Troy Ross (2-139)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ross is reportedly the mandatory challenger for newly (and dubiously) crowned beltholder Yoan Pablo Hernandez.  I have not been able to find any reason for Ross not fighting Garrett Wilson on November 19 as had been announced.  I talked to Wilson, and even he doesn’t know.  I attempted to contact Ross himself, but received no reply.  Unfortunately this means I’ve got to remove Ross from the rankings for inactivity next week unless I either hear he’s scheduled a fight or can verify that he tried to make a fight with Wilson and was somehow blameless in withdrawing.
15) Steve Herelius (2-69)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
16) Enad Licina (2-70)
Last Fight: 10/22/2011- UD8 Hari Miles (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #18 Alexander Alexeev
It appears that the EBU-mandated fight between Licina and Alexeev is essentially made for an unnamed date in January.
17) Firat Arslan (2-15)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
18) Alexander Alexeev (2-41)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/18/2011- vs. Daniel Bruwer (UNR)
See Licina’s notes, above.
19) Matt Godfrey (2-6)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- L(UD10) vs. #17 Lateef Kayode
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s a testament to the stagnation in the bottom half of the rankings that Godfrey- who last had a significant win over 3 years ago- continues to hang around the top 20.
20) Eric Fields (2-2)
Last Fight: 9/2/2011- TKO2 Rubin Williams (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fields is the latest in a fairly long line of iffy candidates to enter in the rankings.  He’s a one-loss prospect with a win over marginal gatekeeper Danny Batchelder back in June.  What separates him from the 2 or 3 guys he beat out for this spot is the fact that his loss- in 2008 against current #6 Ola Afolabi- is a lot more forgivable than the losses of his competitors.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  A remarkably slow week in the highest 7 weight divisions in general, but #14 Troy Ross will be removed for inactivity if he does not schedule a fight, and if  I do not receive an adequate excuse for the cancellation of his recently-scheduled date with Garrett Wilson.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Oct 17-23

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
Veteran Argentine fighter Cesar Crenz- who has alternated between journeyman and gatekeeper status of late- pulled off a notable upset on Friday in Buenos Aires, stopping more well-known countryman Hugo Garay in the 5th round of a scheduled 8-round contest.  Garay was a top-10 light heavyweight just a couple years ago, but failed in his only real attempt at cruiserweight glory when he was knocked out in an otherwise close fight by Marco Huck in July.  In a weak field, Crenz would normally move into the top 20 easily on the strength of this win alone, but he has lost to a similar or lesser level of opposition in the past (including to countryman Rogelio Rossi, another top-25 type guy that he otherwise would have passed at this point).

 

In other action, #12 BJ Flores shut out average journeyman Paul Jennette in Springfield, Missouri on Saturday.

 

Outside the ring, Alexander Frenkel’s team has talked their fighter out of my rankings.  Frenkel withdrew from a scheduled fight with Enad Licina a couple weeks ago, with a vague reference to injury as a reason.  But the latest word from the past week is that Frenkel is going to take some time off from boxing due to “burnout.”  A hand injury was also mentioned in the release, but only in passing.  Even if the hand injury was the primary reason for the cancelation, a fighter who has been inactive for over a year is not afforded the luxury of going on vacation once the immediate injury is healed.  As soon as it appears the fighter and his team are not diligently seeking a fight, I’ve gotta give him the axe.  I do believe that Frenkel had a legitimate injury for much- perhaps most- of the past 13 months, and I know he spent quite some time waiting around for a Silvio Branco fight that never materialized for one reason or another.  But still, when whatever hand injury he currently has is healed, I don’t have sympathy for the burnout he developed while not fighting all this time, at least not as it relates to how I rank him.

 

Frenkel’s ouster makes way for one-loss Oklahoma prospect Eric Fields to debut at #20.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Marco Huck
2) Yoan Pablo Hernandez
3) Steve Cunningham
4) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
5) Denis Lebedev
6) Troy Ross
7) Antonio Tarver
8) Giacobbe Fragomeni
9) Ola Afolabi
10) Guillermo Jones


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (13-89-89)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. James Toney (UNR)
Lebedev follows his ugly beat-down of washed-up legend Roy Jones, Jr. with a fight against…washed-up legend James Toney.
2) Antonio Tarver (3-13-13)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
3) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (3-69-69)
Last Fight: 10/1/2011- W(SD6) vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Hernandez’s mandatory for now appears to be Troy Ross.  It seems possible that popular demand could lead to a rematch with Cunningham, though, too.
4) Steve Cunningham (3-383-383)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
5) Marco Huck (3-254-254)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. Rogelio Rossi (UNR)
It’s official.  Instead of trying to prove himself against the man who rightfully beat him, Huck has opted for a so-so defense against fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.
6) Ola Afolabi (3-136-136)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
7) Guillermo Jones (13-55-55)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/5/2011- vs. Michael Marrone (UNR)
If it’s still possible to do so, Jones is making a mockery of his alphabet title.  He hasn’t fought a mandatory defense in something like 3 years, injury-free, and is now set to fight a joke of a defense against Michael Marrone.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (29-330-330)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (13-98-98)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (13-153-153)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) B.J. Flores (1-69)
Last Fight: 10/15/2011- UD10 Paul Jennette (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The natural assumption is that Flores is in line for a shot at Don King stablemate Guillermo Jones.
12) Francisco Palacios (1-29)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
13) Lateef Kayode (1-48)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 fights.
14) Troy Ross (1-138)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ross is reportedly the mandatory challenger for newly (and dubiously) crowned beltholder Yoan Pablo Hernandez.  Still no word on why his scheduled eliminator with Garrett Wilson fell through.
15) Steve Herelius (1-68)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
16) Enad Licina (1-69)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. Hari Miles (UNR)
Licina has a very non-threatening fight this week, and the power brokers are already working on his next fight- a vacant European title match versus Alexander Alexeev.  Sauerland won the purse bid, but most likely this fight will be in early 2012.
17) Firat Arslan (1-14)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
18) Alexander Alexeev (1-40)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/18/2011- vs. Daniel Bruwer (UNR)
Sauerland recently won the right to promote a European title fight between Alexeev and Licina, likely in early 2012.
19) Matt Godfrey (1-5)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- L(UD10) vs. #17 Lateef Kayode
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s a testament to the stagnation in the bottom half of the rankings that Godfrey- who last had a significant win over 3 years ago- continues to hang around the top 20.
20) Eric Fields (1-1)
Last Fight: 9/2/2011- TKO2 Rubin Williams (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fields is the latest in a fairly long line of iffy candidates to enter in the rankings.  He’s a one-loss prospect with a win over marginal gatekeeper Danny Batchelder back in June.  What separates him from the 2 or 3 guys he beat out for this spot is the fact that his loss- in 2008 against current #6 Ola Afolabi- is a lot more forgivable than the losses of his competitors.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  On a single card in Ludwigsburg, Germany, #5 Marco Huck battles fringe contender Rogelio Rossi of Argentina, and #16 Enad Licina is in light against 6-3 novice Hari Miles, who is a short-notice replacement for Alexander Frenkel.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Oct 10-16

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
Not a whole lot of transpirations transpired this week.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Marco Huck
2) Yoan Pablo Hernandez
3) Steve Cunningham
4) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
5) Denis Lebedev
6) Troy Ross
7) Antonio Tarver
8) Giacobbe Fragomeni
9) Ola Afolabi
10) Guillermo Jones


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (12-88-88)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. James Toney (UNR)
Lebedev follows his ugly beat-down of washed-up legend Roy Jones, Jr. with a fight against…washed-up legend James Toney.
2) Antonio Tarver (2-12-12)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
3) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (2-68-68)
Last Fight: 10/1/2011- W(SD6) vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Hernandez’s mandatory for now appears to be Troy Ross.  It seems possible that popular demand could lead to a rematch with Cunningham, though, too.
4) Steve Cunningham (2-382-382)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
5) Marco Huck (2-253-253)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. Rogelio Rossi (UNR)
It’s official.  Instead of trying to prove himself against the man who rightfully beat him, Huck has opted for a so-so defense against fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.
6) Ola Afolabi (2-135-135)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
7) Guillermo Jones (12-54-54)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/5/2011- vs. Michael Marrone (UNR)
If it’s still possible to do so, Jones is making a mockery of his alphabet title.  He hasn’t fought a mandatory defense in something like 3 years, injury-free, and is now set to fight a joke of a defense against Michael Marrone.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (28-329-329)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (12-97-97)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (12-152-152)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Alexander Frenkel (12-56)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- KO7 #12 Enzo Maccarinelli
Next Fight: Unknown
Frenkel has apparently suffered a new or aggravated injury, and has reportedly vacated his European title, cancelling his scheduled defense against Licina.  I’ll wait to hear more details before deciding to drop him for inactivity.
12) B.J. Flores (12-68)
Last Fight: 7/23/2011- RTD5 Nick Iannuzzi (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/15/2011- vs. Paul Jennette (UNR)
Flores is set to fight weak journeyman Paul Jennette in his hometown of Springfield, MO.  Theoretically this should build toward a showdown with Don King stablemate Guillermo Jones, but I don’t see the point of fighting this caliber of opponent now.
13) Francisco Palacios (12-28)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
14) Lateef Kayode (12-47)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 fights.
15) Troy Ross (12-137)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ross is reportedly the mandatory challenger for newly (and dubiously) crowned beltholder Yoan Pablo Hernandez.  Still no word on why his scheduled eliminator with Garrett Wilson fell through.
16) Steve Herelius (12-67)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
17) Enad Licina (12-68)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Alexander Frenkel dropped out of the scheduled European title fight with Licina, citing an unnamed injury. He’ll likely fight Alexeev for the vacant title next.
18) Firat Arslan (4-13)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
19) Alexander Alexeev (4-39)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/18/2011- vs. Daniel Bruwer (UNR)
Appears to be in line for a shot at the vacant European title recently vacated by Frenkel.  He’ll apparently still keep his stay-busy playdate with Daniel Bruwer, though.
20) Matt Godfrey (4-4)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- L(UD10) vs. #17 Lateef Kayode
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s a testament to the stagnation in the bottom half of the rankings that Godfrey- who last had a significant win over 3 years ago- continues to hang around the top 20.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  A good fight in Argentina between two of the nation’s best 200 pounders in Hugo Garay and Cesar Crenz takes place on Friday, followed on Saturday by a low-risk BJ Flores showcase in his hometown of Springfield, Missouri against journeyman Paul Jennette.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Oct 3-9

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
In one of the better cruiserweight matchups in the last few years, #2 Steve Cunningham and #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez squared off in Germany, but the fight itself was marred by controversy.  First, Hernandez dropped Cunningham in the first, leaving the American badly shaken.  Cunningham got to his feet to beat the count, but arguably wasn’t ready to continue when the ref waved the fight back on.  Cunningham went on to barely survive the round. Cunningham then bounced back to surprisingly carry round 2 and probably round 3, as well.  Hernandez clearly took the 4th, but then Cunningham easily claimed 5 and 6.  Unfortunately, an accidental headbutt caused a very deep cut on Hernandez’ brow, and Hernandez, perhaps feeling the fight slipping away, informed the ref that he couldn’t see, whereupon the fight was stopped and went to the cards.  2 of the 3 cards were just plain wrong.  Pawel Kardyni of Poland joined a long list of judges that have no business ever showing their face around the sport again with his 59-54 Hernandez scorecard.  Dave Parris was a little less disgusting, but still pretty indefensible at 58-55.  Only Howard John Foster at 57-56 Cunningham had a card based in reality.  I had that same score, and the fight was certainly between 57-56 either way.  Two judges were clearly out to rob Cunningham in his opponent’s adopted home country.  Unfortunately for Cunningham, when it comes to my ratings, I have to give deference to the official decision even though the two cards that went against him were manifestly incompetent.  Even though the scores were awful and indefensible, I can see a reasonable judge scoring the fight for Hernandez, and thus I will recognize Hernandez as the winner by the barest of margins.

 

It’s a tricky ratings scenario here.  I think Hernandez lost.  With that being the case, can I really move him up?  Well, since I have to give minimum deference to the decision, it’s either that or I have to move Steve Cunningham (who I believe won) drastically down.  I’m going to split the difference just a bit.  With no such cloud over his (admittedly limited) resume, Antonio Tarver slips into the #2 position.  Hernandez advances all the way to #3, mandatorily ahead of Cunningham, who hangs on at #4.  Huck is pushed down to #5, and Ola Afolabi settles in at #6.  And that is the long and short of it.  Let me say this: it’s crowded at the top.  Your opinion on a given robbery or near-robbery or the old familiar quantity vs. quality argument could easily make you vehemently disagree with me, and I would completely understand.  Pretty much every top 5 fighter is a candidate for #1 depending on how you look at things.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Marco Huck
2) Yoan Pablo Hernandez
3) Steve Cunningham
4) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
5) Denis Lebedev
6) Troy Ross
7) Antonio Tarver
8) Giacobbe Fragomeni
9) Ola Afolabi
10) Guillermo Jones


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (11-87-87)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. James Toney (UNR)
Lebedev follows his ugly beat-down of washed-up legend Roy Jones, Jr. with a fight against…washed-up legend James Toney.
2) Antonio Tarver (1-11-11)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
3) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (1-67-67)
Last Fight: 10/1/2011- W(SD6) vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Hernandez’s mandatory for now appears to be Troy Ross.  It seems possible that popular demand could lead to a rematch with Cunningham, though, too.
4) Steve Cunningham (1-381-381)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
5) Marco Huck (1-252-252)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. Rogelio Rossi (UNR)
It’s official.  Instead of trying to prove himself against the man who rightfully beat him, Huck has opted for a so-so defense against fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.
6) Ola Afolabi (1-134-134)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
7) Guillermo Jones (11-53-53)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/5/2011- vs. Michael Marrone (UNR)
If it’s still possible to do so, Jones is making a mockery of his alphabet title.  He hasn’t fought a mandatory defense in something like 3 years, injury-free, and is now set to fight a joke of a defense against Michael Marrone.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (27-328-328)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (11-96-96)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (11-151-151)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Alexander Frenkel (11-55)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- KO7 #12 Enzo Maccarinelli
Next Fight: Unknown
Frenkel has apparently suffered a new or aggravated injury, and has reportedly vacated his European title, cancelling his scheduled defense against Licina.  I’ll wait to hear more details before deciding to drop him for inactivity.
12) B.J. Flores (11-67)
Last Fight: 7/23/2011- RTD5 Nick Iannuzzi (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/15/2011- vs. Paul Jennette (UNR)
Flores is set to fight weak journeyman Paul Jennette in his hometown of Springfield, MO.  Theoretically this should build toward a showdown with Don King stablemate Guillermo Jones, but I don’t see the point of fighting this caliber of opponent now.
13) Francisco Palacios (11-27)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
14) Lateef Kayode (11-46)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 fights.
15) Troy Ross (11-136)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ross is reportedly the mandatory challenger for newly (and dubiously) crowned beltholder Yoan Pablo Hernandez.  Still no word on why his scheduled eliminator with Garrett Wilson fell through.
16) Steve Herelius (11-66)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
17) Enad Licina (11-67)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Alexander Frenkel dropped out of the scheduled European title fight with Licina, citing an unnamed injury. He’ll likely fight Alexeev for the vacant title next.
18) Firat Arslan (3-12)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
19) Alexander Alexeev (3-38)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/18/2011- vs. Daniel Bruwer (UNR)
Appears to be in line for a shot at the vacant European title recently vacated by Frenkel.  He’ll apparently still keep his stay-busy playdate with Daniel Bruwer, though.
20) Matt Godfrey (3-3)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- L(UD10) vs. #17 Lateef Kayode
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s a testament to the stagnation in the bottom half of the rankings that Godfrey- who last had a significant win over 3 years ago- continues to hang around the top 20.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  The first completely dead week at 200 that we’ve seen for a while.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Sep 26 – Oct 2

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
Undefeated Russian Rakhim Chakhkiev faced the toughest opponent of his career in Sacramento journeyman Michael Simms, and passed the test by knocking Simms down in the 2nd before knocking him out in the 4th.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Steve Cunningham
2) Marco Huck
3) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
4) Denis Lebedev
5) Troy Ross
6) Antonio Tarver
7) Giacobbe Fragomeni
8) Ola Afolabi
9) Guillermo Jones
10) Danny Green


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (10-86-86)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. James Toney (UNR)
Lebedev follows his ugly beat-down of washed-up legend Roy Jones, Jr. with a fight against…washed-up legend James Toney.
2) Steve Cunningham (10-380-380)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
3) Antonio Tarver (10-10-10)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
4) Marco Huck (10-251-251)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. Rogelio Rossi (UNR)
It’s official.  Instead of trying to prove himself against the man who rightfully beat him, Huck has opted for a so-so defense against fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.
5) Ola Afolabi (10-133-133)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
6) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (10-66-66)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- KO7 #12 Steve Herelius
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Will fight Cunningham in Hernandez’ adopted backyard of Germany on October 1.
7) Guillermo Jones (10-52-52)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After talk of several more compelling matchups over the past year, Jones is now reportedly in talks with…Michael Marrone???  This is a joke.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (26-327-327)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (10-95-95)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (10-150-150)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Alexander Frenkel (10-54)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- KO7 #12 Enzo Maccarinelli
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #17 Enad Licina
The Licina fight is now set for late October.
12) B.J. Flores (10-66)
Last Fight: 7/23/2011- RTD5 Nick Iannuzzi (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Flores just signed with Don King, and wants fellow King fighter Guillermo Jones.
13) Francisco Palacios (10-26)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
14) Lateef Kayode (10-45)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 fights.
15) Troy Ross (10-135)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
I can’t find an explanation anywhere, but Ross’ scheduled eliminator on November 19 against Garrett Wilson has now been replaced by a regional title fight between Wilson and journeyman Chuck Mussachio.
16) Steve Herelius (10-65)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
17) Enad Licina (10-66)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #11 Alexander Frenkel
Will take on Alexander Frenkel in late October.
18) Firat Arslan (2-11)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
19) Alexander Alexeev (2-37)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/18/2011- vs. Daniel Bruwer (UNR)
Set for a pointless stay-busy fight in Germany in mid-November.
20) Matt Godfrey (2-2)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- L(UD10) vs. #17 Lateef Kayode
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s a testament to the stagnation in the bottom half of the rankings that Godfrey- who last had a significant win over 3 years ago- continues to hang around the top 20.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  The biggest fight in the division in at least a couple months is on tap for this week, as #2 Steve Cunningham battles #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez in Germany.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Sep 19-25

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
Aging but undefeated Spanish prospect David Quinonero predictably knocked out Georgian journeyman Levan Jomardashvili in the 4th round, extending his consecutive knockout streak to 25.  His only decision victory came in his second career fight.  Yet he still has yet to step up in competition at the age of 36.  No time like the present, David!
 
It seems like an eternity since Enzo Maccarinelli was brutally knocked out by Alexander Frenkel a year ago, especially with the initial speculation that he would retire, followed by the endless rumors of his as-yet unrealized return at light heavyweight.  The latest buzz is still pointing toward an eventual return, but it is- and has been for a long time- safe to say that his days as a competitor at cruiser are over for the foreseeable future, and now that he’s been out for a year, I make it official.  His exit makes room for Matt Godfrey to limp his way back into the rankings for the first time since Antonio Tarver forced him out 2 months ago.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Steve Cunningham
2) Marco Huck
3) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
4) Denis Lebedev
5) Troy Ross
6) Antonio Tarver
7) Giacobbe Fragomeni
8) Ola Afolabi
9) Guillermo Jones
10) Danny Green


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (9-85-85)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. James Toney (UNR)
Lebedev follows his ugly beat-down of washed-up legend Roy Jones, Jr. with a fight against…washed-up legend James Toney.
2) Steve Cunningham (9-379-379)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
3) Antonio Tarver (9-9-9)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
4) Marco Huck (9-250-250)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. Rogelio Rossi (UNR)
It’s official.  Instead of trying to prove himself against the man who rightfully beat him, Huck has opted for a so-so defense against fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.
5) Ola Afolabi (9-132-132)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
6) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (9-65-65)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- KO7 #12 Steve Herelius
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Will fight Cunningham in Hernandez’ adopted backyard of Germany on October 1.
7) Guillermo Jones (9-51-51)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After talk of several more compelling matchups over the past year, Jones is now reportedly in talks with…Michael Marrone???  This is a joke.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (25-326-326)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (9-94-94)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (9-149-149)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Alexander Frenkel (9-53)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- KO7 #12 Enzo Maccarinelli
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #17 Enad Licina
The Licina fight is now set for late October.
12) B.J. Flores (9-65)
Last Fight: 7/23/2011- RTD5 Nick Iannuzzi (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Flores just signed with Don King, and wants fellow King fighter Guillermo Jones.
13) Francisco Palacios (9-25)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
14) Lateef Kayode (9-44)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 fights.
15) Troy Ross (9-134)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
I can’t find an explanation anywhere, but Ross’ scheduled eliminator on November 19 against Garrett Wilson has now been replaced by a regional title fight between Wilson and journeyman Chuck Mussachio.
16) Steve Herelius (9-64)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
17) Enad Licina (9-65)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #11 Alexander Frenkel
Will take on Alexander Frenkel in late October.
18) Firat Arslan (1-10)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
19) Alexander Alexeev (1-36)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The Abdoul fight was canceled.
20) Matt Godfrey (1-1)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- L(UD10) vs. #17 Lateef Kayode
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s a testament to the stagnation in the bottom half of the rankings that Godfrey- who last had a significant win over 3 years ago- continues to hang around the top 20.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  Undefeated Russian prospect Rakhim Chakhkiev battles solid Sacramento journeyman Michael Simms in the toughest test of Chakhkiev’s young career, in Hamburg.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Sep 12-18

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
#14 Lateef Kayode beat Felix Cora, Jr. Friday on ShoBox, and did so legitimately, but not nearly so clearly as you would expect from someone in his position.  Frankly he could have lost without it being a robbery, though I had the fight 96-93 in his favor and could respect as wide as a 97-92 card.  This is the second time he’s failed to impress against gatekeeper-level or worse opposition, and even as he keeps winning, his stock seems to be falling. 

 

The following night in Wroclaw, Poland, Kayode’s fellow undefeated prospect Masternak was more impressive against a similar-level opponent, journeyman Carl Davis, stopping the Illinois native late in the 3rd round.

 

Finally, in a ridiculous mismatch on the same card, #5 Ola Afolabi not only failed to stop sub-.500 Polish journeyman Lukasz Rusiewicz- who at 9-10 had been stopped only by Enad Licina- but even lost a round on 2 cards. 

 

No changes to the rankings.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Steve Cunningham
2) Marco Huck
3) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
4) Denis Lebedev
5) Troy Ross
6) Antonio Tarver
7) Giacobbe Fragomeni
8) Ola Afolabi
9) Guillermo Jones
10) Danny Green


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (8-84-84)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lebedev is looking to return in late October or early November and is reportedly in talks with Marco Huck for a rematch of the robbery victory Huck received in the last meeting, but is also in talks with elder statesman James Toney.
2) Steve Cunningham (8-378-378)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
3) Antonio Tarver (8-8-8)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green was looking for a rematch, but after meeting deafening silence from the Tarver camp, has moved on.
4) Marco Huck (8-249-249)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Is apparently leaning toward a ho-hum fight with fringe contender Rogelio Rossi over a rematch with Lebedev.
5) Ola Afolabi (8-131-131)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- UD8 Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
6) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (8-64-64)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- KO7 #12 Steve Herelius
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Will fight Cunningham in Hernandez’ adopted backyard of Germany on October 1.
7) Guillermo Jones (8-50-50)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
After talk of several more compelling matchups over the past year, Jones is now reportedly in talks with…Michael Marrone???  This is a joke.
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (24-325-325)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #9 Danny Green
A really good matchup on tap between Wlodarczyk and Green- two contenders with a lot to prove.
9) Danny Green (8-93-93)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/30/2011- vs. #8 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
See Wlodarczyk’s comments, above.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (8-148-148)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Alexander Frenkel (8-52)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- KO7 #12 Enzo Maccarinelli
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #17 Enad Licina
The Licina fight is now set for late October.
12) B.J. Flores (8-64)
Last Fight: 7/23/2011- RTD5 Nick Iannuzzi (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Flores just signed with Don King, and wants fellow King fighter Guillermo Jones.
13) Francisco Palacios (8-24)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
14) Lateef Kayode (8-43)
Last Fight: 9/9/2011- UD10 Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Kayode has engaged in close fights with less-than-stellar opposition in 2 of his last 3 fights.
15) Troy Ross (8-133)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/19/2011- vs. Garrett Wilson (UNR)
Ross will finally get back to action when he fights gatekeeper Garrett Wilson November 19 in Atlantic City.
16) Steve Herelius (8-63)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
17) Enad Licina (8-64)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #11 Alexander Frenkel
Will take on Alexander Frenkel in late October.
18) Enzo Maccarinelli (8-64)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- L(KO7) vs. Alexander Frenkel (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Maccarinelli will be removed next week, since although he could announce a return at any time, it is expected to be at 175.
19) Firat Arslan (8-9)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
20) Alexander Alexeev (8-35)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The Abdoul fight was canceled.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  Undefeated Spanish prospect David Quinonero continues his slow walk up the rankings on Saturday night in Spain when he fights Georgian journeyman Levan Jomardashvili.  Quinonero, despite being 36 years old and 26-0 with 25 knockouts (including his last 24 outings) has yet to fight a top 50 fighter.  He came close in April by knocking out top-flight journeyman Ali Ismailov, but for some reason has decided to step back down significantly.  It’s a shame, because he appears to have too much talent to be wasting time like this.  This division is thin enough that he could make some noise if he chose to do so.

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Cruiserweight: 2011, Sep 5-11

Posted in Cruiserweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 22, 2011 by danboxing
American prospect/fringe contender Eric Fields easily disposed of journeyman Rubin Williams with a 2nd-round TKO in Norman, Oklahoma on Friday night.  No changes to the rankings.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Rankings:
Champ: None
1) Steve Cunningham
2) Marco Huck
3) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
4) Denis Lebedev
5) Troy Ross
6) Antonio Tarver
7) Giacobbe Fragomeni
8) Ola Afolabi
9) Guillermo Jones
10) Danny Green


Dan’s Top 20
Champ: None
1) Denis Lebedev (7-83-83)
Last Fight: 5/21/2011- TKO10 Roy Jones, Jr. (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Lebedev is looking to return in late October or early November and is reportedly in talks with Marco Huck for a rematch of the robbery victory Huck received in the last meeting, but is also in talks with elder statesman James Toney.
2) Steve Cunningham (7-377-377)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- UD12 #14 Enad Licina
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Cunningham will fight Yoan Pablo Hernandez on October 1 in Germany.
3) Antonio Tarver (7-7-7)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- RTD9 #7 Danny Green
Next Fight: Unknown
Danny Green has now said he wants a rematch with Tarver.  No word from the Tarver camp on that or anything else.
4) Marco Huck (7-248-248)
Last Fight: 7/16/2011- KO10 Hugo Garay (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reportedly considering a rematch of his robbery win over Denis Lebedev, as well as fringe contender Rogelio Rossi.
5) Ola Afolabi (7-130-130)
Last Fight: 7/2/2011- KO1 Terry Dunstan (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/10/2011- vs. Lukasz Rusiewicz (UNR)
Afolabi will inexplicably fight sub-.500 journeyman Lukasz Rusiewicz in Poland this Saturday.
6) Yoan Pablo Hernandez (7-63-63)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- KO7 #12 Steve Herelius
Next Fight: 10/1/2011- vs. #2 Steve Cunningham
Will fight Cunningham in Hernandez’ adopted backyard of Germany on October 1.
7) Guillermo Jones (7-49-49)
Last Fight: 10/2/2010- TKO11 Valery Brudov (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
8) Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (23-324-324)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- W(SD12*) vs. Francisco Palacios (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Might be negotiating for a fight with Lebedev.
9) Danny Green (7-92-92)
Last Fight: 7/20/2011- L(RTD9) vs. Antonio Tarver (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Thoughts of a Green retirement have now been dispelled, and he is reportedly hoping for a rematch with Tarver.
10) Giacobbe Fragomeni (7-147-147)
Last Fight: 7/8/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
11) Alexander Frenkel (7-51)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- KO7 #12 Enzo Maccarinelli
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #17 Enad Licina
The Licina fight is now set for late October.
12) B.J. Flores (7-63)
Last Fight: 7/23/2011- RTD5 Nick Iannuzzi (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Flores just signed with Don King, and wants fellow King fighter Guillermo Jones.
13) Francisco Palacios (7-23)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L (SD12*) vs. #6 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk
Next Fight: Unknown
In my opinion he did just enough to win one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen against Wlodarczyk, so I’m in no hurry to see him again.  That being said, he performed well against a top 10 guy and deserved the win on that night, so I can’t exactly ignore that.
14) Lateef Kayode (7-42)
Last Fight: 6/10/2011- UD10 #19 Matt Godfrey
Next Fight: 9/9/2011- vs. Felix Cora, Jr. (UNR)
After Ryan Coyne opted out of a ShoBox date with Kayode, the Nigerian will now take on veteran Felix Cora, Jr..
15) Troy Ross (7-132)
Last Fight: 10/30/2010- UD10 Carl Handy (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/19/2011- vs. Garrett Wilson (UNR)
Ross will finally get back to action when he fights gatekeeper Garrett Wilson November 19 in Atlantic City.
16) Steve Herelius (7-62)
Last Fight: 2/12/2011- L(KO7) vs. #6 Yoan Pablo Hernandez
Next Fight: Unknown
It’s always hard to come back from a knockout loss.  Herelius could become a go-to quality opponent for the guys locked out of the Super Six.
17) Enad Licina (7-63)
Last Fight: 5/7/2011- KO1 Michele De Meo (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/22/2011- vs. #11 Alexander Frenkel
Will take on Alexander Frenkel in late October.
18) Enzo Maccarinelli (7-63)
Last Fight: 9/18/2010- L(KO7) vs. Alexander Frenkel (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
We’re still waiting to hear any significant details about Maccarinelli’s anticipated return at 175.
19) Firat Arslan (7-8)
Last Fight: 7/15/2011- TKO5 Lubos Suda (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arslan has finally got his comeback on the right track after the Herelius setback by destroying the decent Suda.
20) Alexander Alexeev (7-34)
Last Fight: 6/11/2011- TKO2 Damian Norris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The Abdoul fight was canceled.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:  On Friday’s ShoBox telecast, #14 Lateef Kayode takes on solid journeyman Felix Cora, Jr.  The following night, Polish undefeated prospect Mateusz Masternak battles Carl Davis, a journeyman on a similar level to Cora, in Wroclaw, Poland.  On the same card, #5 Ola Afolabi of Britain fights a much lesser journeyman in Poland’s Lukasz Rusiewicz for no apparent reason.

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Heavyweight: 2011, Nov 21-27

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on November 20, 2011 by danboxing
Lebanese-born Syrian prospect Manuel Charr saw action in Germany Friday, beating up fringe prospect Marcelo Nascimento of Brazil en route to an 8th round stoppage.  The following night, 39 year old fringe contender Michael Grant was reportedly nearly stopped in both the 7th and 11th round by 43-year-old journeyman and former contender Francois Botha in the latter’s native South Africa, but Grant came back in the 12th and, with one right hand, ended Botha’s night about 40 seconds early with a thrilling last-minute knockout to steal victory from the jaws of defeat.  No changes to the rankings.

 

For Comparison, here are the Current Ring Magazine Heavyweight Rankings:
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko
1) Vitali Klitschko
2) Alexander Povetkin
3) Tomasz Adamek
4) Eddie Chambers
5) Robert Helenius
6) Alexander Dimitrenko
7) Denis Boystov
8) Ruslan Chagaev
9) Chris Arreola
10) Kubrat Pulev

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (126-339-339)
Last Fight: 7/2/2011- UD12 #2 David Haye
Next Fight: 12/10/2011- vs. #13 Jean Marc Mormeck
Wlad is already looking past Mormeck to his next fight, which he hopes will be against Antonio Tarver in the US.
1) Vitali Klitschko (163-163-163)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- TKO10 #6 Tomasz Adamek
Next Fight: Unknown
The two names being mentioned as Vitali’s next opponent seem to be Marco Huck and Nikolai Valuev.
2) Alexander Povetkin (13-213-213)
Last Fight: 8/27/2011- UD12 #6 Ruslan Chagaev
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #20 Cedric Boswell
Povetkin is apparently looking to fight old guys only for his next fight.  Originally it looked like a Holyfield fight was all but done, then it looked like Rahman was the guy.  As it turns out, he will fight 42-year-0ld #20 Cedric Boswell on December 3 in Helsinki.
3) Eddie Chambers (6-138-138)
Last Fight: 2/11/2011- UD12 Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #8 Tony Thompson
The Chambers-Thompson fight scheduled for a 10/28 ShoBox appearance is now off due to a Chambers back injury.  Chambers hopes to be ready to go by the end of the year.
4) Robert Helenius (6-34-78)
Last Fight: 8/27/2011- TKO9 Sergei Liakhovich (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #18 Dereck Chisora
Helenius has finally named an opponent for 12/3, and it’s Dereck Chisora, who hopefully will show up in shape.
5) Tomasz Adamek (6-83-83)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- L (TKO10) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Next Fight: Unknown
After initially saying he was only looking for the best fights, the latest word from Adamek’s camp is that he looks to fight 3 times in 2012, but does not expect to seek a title fight until 2013.  So 3 bums for Adamek.  Sounds pretty similar to his normal pattern since moving up.  Maybe we’ll get lucky and one of those fights will be a compelling Arreola rematch.
6) Tyson Fury (2-18-18)
Last Fight: 11/12/2011- TKO3 Neven Pajkic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fury is already working on his next fight, which may be March 17 at Madison Square Garden for his US debut.
7) Ruslan Chagaev (2-262-262)
Last Fight: 8/27/2011- L (UD12) vs. #5 Alexander Povetkin
Next Fight: 1/21/2011- vs. Unknown Opponent
Chagaev has a fight scheduled against an opponent to be announced in January.
8) Tony Thompson (6-78-78)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- TKO3 Maurice Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #3 Eddie Chambers
See Chambers’ comments, above.
9) Odlanier Solis (6-49-78)
Last Fight: 3/19/2011- L (TKO1) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Next Fight: 11/26/2011- vs. Unknown Opponent
Solis, for the second time in as many months, has a fight scheduled.  Last time, he had no idea, and was nowhere near ready while recovering from knee surgery.  Only time will tell if this one is for real or not.
10) Alexander Dimitrenko (6-6-45)
Last Fight: 9/24/2011- UD12 Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Dimitrenko had elbow surgery, and his mandatory defense with Robert Helenius has been delayed until presumably sometime after Helenius’ reserved December 3 date.
11) Chris Arreola (6-140)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- TKO3 Raphael Butler (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola’s trainer insists he’s done with the rebuilding phase of his comeback, and ready for big fights.  It’s about time.
12) Denis Boytsov (6-127)
Last Fight: 9/24/2011- TKO6 Matthew Greer (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
13) Jean Marc Mormeck (6-78)
Last Fight: 12/2/2010- SD12 #19 Timur Ibragimov
Next Fight: 12/10/2011- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
The former cruiserweight king will fight for a legitimate championship in his 2nd weight division on December 10 in Germany.  If David Haye couldn’t do anything against Wlad, I don’t know why the guy from whom Haye took the title will fare any better, especially when he is significantly older and more used up than was the Brit.
14) Bermane Stiverne (6-22)
Last Fight: 6/25/2011- TKO10 #20 Ray Austin
Next Fight: Unknown
Despite a still-thin resume, Stiverne has somehow been maneuvered into the position of being Vitali Klitschko’s WBC mandatory challenger.
15) Samuel Peter (6-78)
Last Fight: 4/2/2011- L(KO9) vs. #16 Robert Helenius
Next Fight: Unknown
It appeared that Peter would be fighting Vyacheslav Glazkov this week, but apparently it was never a done deal and is now off.
16) Kubrat Pulev (5-54)
Last Fight: 10/22/2011- UD12 Travis Walker (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
17) Franklin Lawrence (5-26)
Last Fight: 10/28/2011- TKO2 Raymond Ochieng (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
18) Dereck Chisora (6-62)
Last Fight: 11/11/2011- UD6 Remigijus Ziausys (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #4 Robert Helenius
He’ll need to be in top shape to have a chance against the crushing power of Robert Helenius.
19) Timur Ibragimov (6-9)
Last Fight: 12/2/2010- L (SD12) vs. #18 Jean Marc Mormeck
Next Fight: 11/4/2011- vs. Seth Mitchell (UNR)
Ibragimov will serve as a measuring stick on December 10 when he attempts to shut the gate on America’s best heavyweight prospect, Seth Mitchell.
20) Cedric Boswell (6-6)
Last Fight: 6/4/2011- UD10 Kertson Manswell (UNR)
Next Fight: 12/3/2011- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Boswell gets the opportunity of his life on December 3, but it will be no easy task against #2 Povetkin.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD: #9 Odlanier Solis is apparently scheduled to fight an as-yet unannounced opponent in Trabzon, Turkey on Saturday.  With Solis’ knee surgery and his cancelled last fight that he knew nothing about, I’ll believe this one when I see it.  On the same card, Czech Fringe prospect Ondrej Pala is also scheduled for a fight, but again, no opponent yet.

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