Heavyweight: 2012, Jan 23-29
6’8″ British rising star David Price brutalized countryman John McDermott in Price’s hometown of Liverpool on Saturday, knocking the shorter but heavier man down 3 times en route to a knockout less than halfway through the very first round. This guy is a beast, and is probably Tyson Fury’s worst nightmare. No changes to the rankings again this week.
8) Ruslan Chagaev 9) Chris Arreola 10) Kubrat Pulev
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (135-348-348)
Last Fight: 7/2/2011- UD12 #2 David Haye
Next Fight: 3/3/2011- vs. #15 Jean Marc Mormeck
Wlad has rescheduled with Mormeck after reportedly offering the March 3 date to Tyson Fury (who said he’s not ready), Alexander Povetkin (ditto) and Robert Helenius (wants the fight later in the year).
1) Vitali Klitschko (172-172-172)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- TKO10 #6 Tomasz Adamek
Next Fight: 2/18/2011- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
After flirting with Haye and Dimitrenko, Vitali announced a fight with the man of the hour- recently robbed Dereck Chisora. Word is he’ll fight David Haye in a stadium in the summer and then likely retire.
2) Alexander Povetkin (22-222-222) Last Fight: 12/3/2011- KO8 #20 Cedric Boswell
Next Fight: 2/25/2011- vs. CW #5 Marco Huck
Povetkin and Huck have now signed to fight in late February in Stuttgart. 3) Eddie Chambers (15-147-147) Last Fight: 2/11/2011- UD12 Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Chambers pulled out of this week’s scheduled fight with Liakhovich with fractured ribs, marking the second consecutive fight he’s had to back out of. This practically guarantees that he’ll be inactive for a full year, though I’m likely to give him a little extra time.
4) Tomasz Adamek (8-92-92)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- L (TKO10) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Next Fight: Unknown
Adamek will reportedly fight a tune-up in March (possibly on the Martinez-Macklin card at MSG), and then will look to fight on HBO later in the year. Arreola and Seth Mitchell appear to be candidates. It sounds like Andrew Golota is practically begging for an undeserved rematch, as well. 5) Tyson Fury (8-27-27) Last Fight: 11/12/2011- TKO3 Neven Pajkic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fury has a new nemesis on his hands in the pro ranks, as 6’8″ monster David Price recently called him out. 6) Dereck Chisora (8-8-71) Last Fight: 12/3/2011- L*(SD12) vs. #4 Robert Helenius (Robbery)
Next Fight: 2/18/2012- vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Despite being robbed, Chisora will get a chance to capitalize on his winning performance against Helenius by fighting #1 contender Vitali Klitschkho in February.
7) Robert Helenius (8-43-87)
Last Fight: 12/3/2011- W*(SD12) vs. #18 Dereck Chisora (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
In addition to his injured hand suffered in the Chisora bout, Helenius says he was fighting with an injured shoulder. Now comes the news that he will require surgery for that injury, and will be out until at least the fall. His doctors say there is a chance it will never heal well enough for boxing.
8) Ruslan Chagaev (8-271-271) Last Fight: 8/27/2011- L (UD12) vs. #5 Alexander Povetkin
Next Fight: 1/28/2011- vs. Kertson Manswell (UNR)
Chagaev wants to fight every 3 months and hopes for another title shot by the end of 2012. Step one: January 28 against journeyman Kertson Manswell.
9) Tony Thompson (8-87-87)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- TKO3 Maurice Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Thompson has been elevated to a spot as the IBF’s mandatory contender without the need for an eliminator against Chambers, who withdrew with a back injury. This most likely means he won’t be fighting Chambers as originally planned.
10) Odlanier Solis (8-58-87)
Last Fight: 3/19/2011- L (TKO1) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko Next Fight: Unknown
Solis appears to still be recovering from multiple knee surgeries. 11) Seth Mitchell (7-7) Last Fight: 12/10/2011- TKO2 #19 Timur Ibragimov Next Fight: Unknown Mitchell is now back in the gym in preparation for a possible March return. 12) Alexander Dimitrenko (7-54) Last Fight: 9/24/2011- UD12 Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The EBU has ordered him to fight for the belt recently vacated by Helenius against #18 Kubrat Pulev. Dimitrenko has his own injury and promotional issues, though, so we’ll see if the fight does come off.
13) Chris Arreola (7-149)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- TKO3 Raphael Butler (UNR)
Next Fight: 2/18/2012- vs. Eric Molina (UNR)
Arreola has made a liar out of his manager, who said the rebuilding phase of Arreola’s comeback was over. He will fight non-threatening journeyman Eric Molina on the 2/18 Showtime undercard.
14) Denis Boytsov (7-136)
Last Fight: 9/24/2011- TKO6 Matthew Greer (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/28/2011- vs. Darnell Wilson (UNR)
Boytsov now has an opponent for January 28: Darnell Wilson, who beat an injured Juan Carlos Gomez before losing to Ondrej Pala in November.
15) Jean Marc Mormeck (7-87) Last Fight: 12/2/2010- SD12 #19 Timur Ibragimov Next Fight: 3/3/2012- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s comments, above.
16) Bermane Stiverne (7-31) 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. That fight may never happen, though, as there is talk that Vitali might fight Chisora, Haye, and then retire.
17) Samuel Peter (7-87)
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.
18) Kubrat Pulev (7-63) Last Fight: 1/14/2012- RTD9 Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The EBU has ordered a fight between Pulev and Dimitrenko for their vacant title. Dimitrenko might be difficult to get in the ring given his recent troubles, though.
19) Franklin Lawrence (7-35) Last Fight: 10/28/2011- TKO2 Raymond Ochieng (UNR) Next Fight: Unknown 20) Cedric Boswell (15-15) Last Fight: 12/3/2011- L(KO8) vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin Next Fight: Unknown Boswell was the most comatose participant in a comatose fight with Alexander Povetkin prior to being rendered semi-conscious by Povetkin in the 8th. In this case, semi-conscious is a downgrade from comatose…don’t ask how that works.
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) Alexander Dimitrenko 6) Robert Helenius 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 (135-348-348)
Last Fight: 7/2/2011- UD12 #2 David Haye
Next Fight: 3/3/2011- vs. #15 Jean Marc Mormeck
Wlad has rescheduled with Mormeck after reportedly offering the March 3 date to Tyson Fury (who said he’s not ready), Alexander Povetkin (ditto) and Robert Helenius (wants the fight later in the year).
1) Vitali Klitschko (172-172-172)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- TKO10 #6 Tomasz Adamek
Next Fight: 2/18/2011- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
After flirting with Haye and Dimitrenko, Vitali announced a fight with the man of the hour- recently robbed Dereck Chisora. Word is he’ll fight David Haye in a stadium in the summer and then likely retire.
2) Alexander Povetkin (22-222-222) Last Fight: 12/3/2011- KO8 #20 Cedric Boswell
Next Fight: 2/25/2011- vs. CW #5 Marco Huck
Povetkin and Huck have now signed to fight in late February in Stuttgart. 3) Eddie Chambers (15-147-147) Last Fight: 2/11/2011- UD12 Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Chambers pulled out of this week’s scheduled fight with Liakhovich with fractured ribs, marking the second consecutive fight he’s had to back out of. This practically guarantees that he’ll be inactive for a full year, though I’m likely to give him a little extra time.
4) Tomasz Adamek (8-92-92)
Last Fight: 9/10/2011- L (TKO10) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Next Fight: Unknown
Adamek will reportedly fight a tune-up in March (possibly on the Martinez-Macklin card at MSG), and then will look to fight on HBO later in the year. Arreola and Seth Mitchell appear to be candidates. It sounds like Andrew Golota is practically begging for an undeserved rematch, as well. 5) Tyson Fury (8-27-27) Last Fight: 11/12/2011- TKO3 Neven Pajkic (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Fury has a new nemesis on his hands in the pro ranks, as 6’8″ monster David Price recently called him out. 6) Dereck Chisora (8-8-71) Last Fight: 12/3/2011- L*(SD12) vs. #4 Robert Helenius (Robbery)
Next Fight: 2/18/2012- vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko
Despite being robbed, Chisora will get a chance to capitalize on his winning performance against Helenius by fighting #1 contender Vitali Klitschkho in February.
7) Robert Helenius (8-43-87)
Last Fight: 12/3/2011- W*(SD12) vs. #18 Dereck Chisora (Robbery)
Next Fight: Unknown
In addition to his injured hand suffered in the Chisora bout, Helenius says he was fighting with an injured shoulder. Now comes the news that he will require surgery for that injury, and will be out until at least the fall. His doctors say there is a chance it will never heal well enough for boxing.
8) Ruslan Chagaev (8-271-271) Last Fight: 8/27/2011- L (UD12) vs. #5 Alexander Povetkin
Next Fight: 1/28/2011- vs. Kertson Manswell (UNR)
Chagaev wants to fight every 3 months and hopes for another title shot by the end of 2012. Step one: January 28 against journeyman Kertson Manswell.
9) Tony Thompson (8-87-87)
Last Fight: 5/27/2011- TKO3 Maurice Harris (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Thompson has been elevated to a spot as the IBF’s mandatory contender without the need for an eliminator against Chambers, who withdrew with a back injury. This most likely means he won’t be fighting Chambers as originally planned.
10) Odlanier Solis (8-58-87)
Last Fight: 3/19/2011- L (TKO1) vs. #1 Vitali Klitschko Next Fight: Unknown
Solis appears to still be recovering from multiple knee surgeries. 11) Seth Mitchell (7-7) Last Fight: 12/10/2011- TKO2 #19 Timur Ibragimov Next Fight: Unknown Mitchell is now back in the gym in preparation for a possible March return. 12) Alexander Dimitrenko (7-54) Last Fight: 9/24/2011- UD12 Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The EBU has ordered him to fight for the belt recently vacated by Helenius against #18 Kubrat Pulev. Dimitrenko has his own injury and promotional issues, though, so we’ll see if the fight does come off.
13) Chris Arreola (7-149)
Last Fight: 11/5/2011- TKO3 Raphael Butler (UNR)
Next Fight: 2/18/2012- vs. Eric Molina (UNR)
Arreola has made a liar out of his manager, who said the rebuilding phase of Arreola’s comeback was over. He will fight non-threatening journeyman Eric Molina on the 2/18 Showtime undercard.
14) Denis Boytsov (7-136)
Last Fight: 9/24/2011- TKO6 Matthew Greer (UNR)
Next Fight: 1/28/2011- vs. Darnell Wilson (UNR)
Boytsov now has an opponent for January 28: Darnell Wilson, who beat an injured Juan Carlos Gomez before losing to Ondrej Pala in November.
15) Jean Marc Mormeck (7-87) Last Fight: 12/2/2010- SD12 #19 Timur Ibragimov Next Fight: 3/3/2012- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s comments, above.
16) Bermane Stiverne (7-31) 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. That fight may never happen, though, as there is talk that Vitali might fight Chisora, Haye, and then retire.
17) Samuel Peter (7-87)
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.
18) Kubrat Pulev (7-63) Last Fight: 1/14/2012- RTD9 Michael Sprott (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
The EBU has ordered a fight between Pulev and Dimitrenko for their vacant title. Dimitrenko might be difficult to get in the ring given his recent troubles, though.
19) Franklin Lawrence (7-35) Last Fight: 10/28/2011- TKO2 Raymond Ochieng (UNR) Next Fight: Unknown 20) Cedric Boswell (15-15) Last Fight: 12/3/2011- L(KO8) vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin Next Fight: Unknown Boswell was the most comatose participant in a comatose fight with Alexander Povetkin prior to being rendered semi-conscious by Povetkin in the 8th. In this case, semi-conscious is a downgrade from comatose…don’t ask how that works.
THE WEEK AHEAD: Universum will be promoting another dog and pony show in Germany this Saturday. They always do this. Take several good fighters- often 2 or 3 from the same division, feed them easy opponents, and try to pass it off as a mega-card. True to form, 2 top 15 heavyweights in #8 Ruslan Chagaev and #14 Denis Boytsov will appear on the card, but will fight journeymen Kertson Manswell and Darnell Wilson, respectively, instead of each other. This is why Universum’s European fighters always seem to rise to a certain respectable spot in the rankings but then never seem to advance to the top.
Dan's Weekly Boxer Rankings and Blog 
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