Archive for December, 2015

Heavyweight: 2014, Oct 20-26

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 27, 2015 by danboxing
Thursday in Auckland, New Zealand, unbeaten Kiwi prospect Joseph Parker pounded out a 10-round decision with the capable Sherman Williams.  Unfortunately I’ve yet to locate a video of the fight, so I’m going to have to leave you with just the cold results for now, which included 2 clean 100-90 scorecards, along with a 97-94, all in Parker’s favor.  
 

One-loss Polish giant Mariusz Wach finally returned on Friday from a steroid suspension and accompanying two-year layoff, winning virtually every round of an 8-rounder against fellow big man Samir Kurtagic, a durable but limited Turk.  

 

Undefeated and totally untested Samoan prospect Natu Visinia overperformed expectations in many ways on Saturday in Philly.  After 7 rounds, I had the fight even.  Visinia managed to drop the much smaller Cunningham in the 5th after a very close first four rounds.  Cunningham fired the one-two combos constantly, but got himself in trouble when he found himself on the ropes, which frankly happened more often than it probably should have.  His chin did hold up well for the most part against the 278 pound prospect, and Visinia ultimately retired in his corner, apparently due to a general state of busted-upness.

 

Williams came in as a low-level gatekeeper around the fringe of the top 50, which is roughly the same level as Parker’s previous best win over Brian Minto.  Still, the win moves Parker up a couple slots unofficially.  He’s right at about the top 25 level now.  Wach is back to activity and rankability now, but he’s only got one gatekeeper-level win in his career, and tops out around the top 40 currently.  No changes.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (278-491-491)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (36-36-36)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
Fury-Chisora II has been moved back a week, to November 29.
2) Alexander Povetkin (21-365-365)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (21-32-96)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (29-29-29)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: 11/8/2014 – vs. Fred Kassi (UNR)
Mansour gets a stay-busy type fight against the unknown Fred Kassi, who despite a relatively attractive 18-2 record, has lost to the likes of Lionel Butler and Kendrick Releford, and has only fought 3 times since April 2010.
5) Kubrat Pulev (36-129-206)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (36-151-214)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (20-20-40)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (20-24-86)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
Another postponement of the purse bid for the Wilder fight, as Don King and Oscar De La Hoya are apparently desperately trying to reach a deal to keep Jay-Z from getting a shot at buying the rights to the promotion.
9) Steve Cunningham (20-96-96)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/18/2014 – vs. Natu Visinia (UNR)
Cunningham gets what, at least on paper, looks like a stay-busy fight in October against Natu Visinia. Visinia is unbeaten at 10-0, but has fought nobody.  He’s a big boy, though.  The Samoan typically tips the scales in the 260s or 270s.
10) Tony Thompson (20-31-230)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 11/22/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
The Thompson-Solis rematch has been postponed due to a Solis ankle injury, with a new date of November 22.
11) Tomasz Adamek (20-235)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (20-230)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
See Thompson’s notes, above.
13) Deontay Wilder (24-78)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (24-59)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, and was said to be expected back in October.  No news about an upcoming fight, though.
15) Erkan Teper (29-60)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper is rumored to be close to signing for a fight with 36 year old one-loss Polish prospect(?) Marcin Rekowski in December.
16) Alex Leapai (29-48)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/31/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
Leapai-Scott has been moved back a week to Halloween after Leapai suffered a minor leg injury.
17) Andy Ruiz (29-48)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/25/2014- vs. Kenny Lemos (UNR)
Ruiz will look to make up for some lost fight in short order.  He will be in the ring this Saturday on about a week’s notice against an easy mark in Kenny Lemos, and then expects to be back on December 6, as well.
18) Bryant Jennings (7-13)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (7-13)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.
20) Malik Scott (7-7)

Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/31/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Friday
#2 Alexander Povetkin vs. #7 Carlos Takam; Moscow, Russia; TV Unknown
This is a big matchup, needless to say.  I haven’t run the numbers yet, but a win from either guy could give Tyson Fury a run for the #2 spot, it would seem.

 

Manuel Charr vs. Michael Grant; Moscow, Russia; TV Unknown
Charr had been beaten twice, but only by a Klitschko and Povetkin.  Grant, who stands 6’7″, may once have been a real challenge, but at 42 years old and coming off a layoff, I’d say his odds are pretty long in this one.  The big American comes off a stoppage loss to Carlos Takam 16 months ago, in what was his most recent fight.

 

Saturday
#17 Andy Ruiz vs. Kenny Lemos; Fresno, CA; Unimas (US)
This is a stay-busy fight for Ruiz against a 12-8 nobody in Lemos.  Ruiz was recently scheduled to fight Sergei Liakhovich, but pulled out of that fight for some sort of family issue.  Apparently it wasn’t a long-standing problem.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Oct 13-19

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 25, 2015 by danboxing
Unbeaten English Olympian Anthony Joshua continued to impress on Saturday, systematically breaking down Russian gatekeeper Denis Bakhtov- who was coming off a win over Joshua’s prior victim Konstantin Airich- all inside two rounds.  Bakhtov is a reliable trial horse who occasionally upsets a prospect, or at least deserves to before the judges get ahold of him.  He’s been stopped before, but never inside of 5 rounds (aside from one injury-related stoppage).  This was the quickest and most thorough dismantling he’d ever suffered, even having fought contenders as solid as Vyacheslav Glazkov, whom he took the distance.  Even aside from comparisons, Joshua looked excellent.  He’s a big, strong, powerful, and athletic heavyweight.  He doesn’t have obvious flaws, and looks like the kind of complete fighter that flourished in the early 90s.  Look out.

 

On the not-so-impressive side of the top 50 coin, massive Argentine champion Matias Vidondo, who won the title on his knees when Fabio Moli hit him while he was on the canvas for a third time in that specific round, took care of 44 year old journeyman Marcelo Dominguez to retain his national championship.  Really all he proved is that a 38 year old 6’7″ fat guy beats a 44 year old 5’9″ fat guy.  The fight was stopped suddenly on a really bad cut while Dominguez was backed up into the corner.  In the Moli fight, Vidondo had completely gassed out by the 5th round, but luckily for him Dominguez wasn’t able to take him even that deep.

 

Bakhtov is the first even borderline top 50 fighter that Joshua has taken on, but it’s enough to get him more or less in the top 30 by my reckoning, and based on the groundwork he’d previously laid with quality journeymen, he’s a very strong #30 despite the limited resume.  He’s already the most proven British contender after Fury and Chisora, and probably has the potential to eclipse both, which is realy saying a lot.  Still, no changes this week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (277-490-490)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (35-35-35)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
Fury-Chisora II has been moved back a week, to November 29.
2) Alexander Povetkin (20-364-364)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (20-31-95)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (28-28-28)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: 11/8/2014 – vs. Fred Kassi (UNR)
Mansour gets a stay-busy type fight against the unknown Fred Kassi, who despite a relatively attractive 18-2 record, has lost to the likes of Lionel Butler and Kendrick Releford, and has only fought 3 times since April 2010.
5) Kubrat Pulev (35-128-205)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (35-150-213)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (19-19-39)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (19-23-85)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
Another postponement of the purse bid for the Wilder fight, as Don King and Oscar De La Hoya are apparently desperately trying to reach a deal to keep Jay-Z from getting a shot at buying the rights to the promotion.
9) Steve Cunningham (19-95-95)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/18/2014 – vs. Natu Visinia (UNR)
Cunningham gets what, at least on paper, looks like a stay-busy fight in October against Natu Visinia. Visinia is unbeaten at 10-0, but has fought nobody.  He’s a big boy, though.  The Samoan typically tips the scales in the 260s or 270s.
10) Tony Thompson (19-30-229)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: Unknown Date- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
The Thompson-Solis rematch has been postponed due to a Solis ankle injury.  No word yet on the new date.
11) Tomasz Adamek (19-234)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (19-229)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
See Thompson’s notes, above.
13) Deontay Wilder (23-77)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (23-58)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, and was said to be expected back in October.  No news about an upcoming fight, though.
15) Erkan Teper (28-59)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (28-47)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (28-47)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ruiz’s fight with Sergei Liakhovich was cancelled about a week in advance of the September 20 date when Ruiz withdrew for “family reasons.”
18) Bryant Jennings (6-12)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (6-12)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.
20) Malik Scott (6-6)

Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/24/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Thursday
Joseph Parker vs. Sherman Williams; Auckland, New Zealand; TV Unknown
After seeing one big athletic prospect coming into his own last week, we get to see New Zealand’s answer this Thursday.  Parker takes on the limited but generally capable Sherman Williams, who gave a somewhat compromised version of Robert Helenius a fair amount of trouble a while back.  Parker is bigger but somewhat slower than Anthony Joshua, but both are members of a new breed of more dynamic heavyweights that may well go on to dominate- or even usher in- the post-Klitschko era at some point.

 

Friday
Mariusz Wach vs. Samir Kurtagic; Dzierzoniow, Poland; TV Unknown
If Joseph Parker is a member of a new breed of dynamic heavyweights, then Wach is a member of the aging breed of mountainous and ponderous giants that has in some ways typified the current era.  He is predictably slow, but iron chinned.  His only loss was a decision to the Champion nearly two years ago, and he hasn’t been in the ring since.  That is in large part due to a positive steroid test following that fight.  Kurtagic began his career 7-0, but has since proven himself very mediocre when matched with reasonably decent opposition.  He is a 6’7″ beast in his own right, and sturdy, if nothing else.  He’s never been stopped in his 6 losses, including fights with the likes of Edmund Gerber, Francesco Pianeta, Alexander Dimitrenko, and Denis Boytsov.  He’s always good for getting work in, which might be what Wach needs most of all right now.

 

Saturday
#9 Steve Cunningham vs. Natu Visinia; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; NBC Sports (US)
A good big man beats a good small man.  The problem for Visinia is that it’s not at all clear that he’s good.  He comes in at 10-0, but his best opponent has literally less than 1% of the boxrec ratings points as does Cunningham.  For all intents and purposes, he might as well be making his pro debut against a top 10 contender.  You would think that a guy that usually scales around 270 lbs. would have some sort of power, though, so even with the huge experience and skill gap, I’m not sure you can fully take it for granted.  Still, on paper it’s a blatant mismatch.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Oct 6-12

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 24, 2015 by danboxing
Nothing to report from last week.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (276-489-489)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (34-34-34)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
Fury-Chisora II has been moved back a week, to November 29.
2) Alexander Povetkin (19-363-363)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (19-30-94)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (27-27-27)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: 11/8/2014 – vs. Fred Kassi (UNR)
Mansour gets a stay-busy type fight against the unknown Fred Kassi, who despite a relatively attractive 18-2 record, has lost to the likes of Lionel Butler and Kendrick Releford, and has only fought 3 times since April 2010.
5) Kubrat Pulev (34-127-204)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (34-149-212)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (18-18-38)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (18-22-84)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
Another postponement of the purse bid for the Wilder fight, as Don King and Oscar De La Hoya are apparently desperately trying to reach a deal to keep Jay-Z from getting a shot at buying the rights to the promotion.
9) Steve Cunningham (18-94-94)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/18/2014 – vs. Natu Visinia (UNR)
Cunningham gets what, at least on paper, looks like a stay-busy fight in October against Natu Visinia. Visinia is unbeaten at 10-0, but has fought nobody.  He’s a big boy, though.  The Samoan typically tips the scales in the 260s or 270s.
10) Tony Thompson (18-29-228)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
Thompson will be giving Odlanier Solis a well-deserved rematch in October.
11) Tomasz Adamek (18-233)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (18-228)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
After taking a tough loss and a heap of excessive criticism in a fight he frankly deserved to win, Solis will get a chance to avenge the slight with an October rematch with Tony Thompson.
13) Deontay Wilder (22-76)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (22-57)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, and was said to be expected back in October.  No news about an upcoming fight, though.
15) Erkan Teper (27-58)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (27-46)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (27-46)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ruiz’s fight with Sergei Liakhovich was cancelled about a week in advance of the September 20 date when Ruiz withdrew for “family reasons.”
18) Bryant Jennings (5-11)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (5-11)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.
20) Malik Scott (5-5)

Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/24/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Saturday
Anthony Joshua vs. Denis Bakhtov; London, England; Sky (UK)
Joshua, maybe the hottest prospect in the division right now, is staying admirably busy against at least half-decent competition.  Bakhtov is a reliable Russian trial horse, though almost certainly no match for the British Olympian.  This still wouldn’t be quite the signature win that Joshua needs to break through to the next level, but it does give him decent experience and build his hype somewhat legitimately if he wins impressively.

 

Matias Vidondo vs. Marcelo Dominguez; Neuquen, Argentina; TyC (Arg)
Vidondo defends his Argentine national title against decent but ancient journeyman Dominguez.  Vidondo, at 38, is far from a spring chicken, but his opponent trumps him in the graybeard sweepstakes at 44.  Vidondo’s youthful energy makes him a clear favorite, and I’m only half joking.  Frankly, Vidondo is a highly dubious member of the top 50.  He won his title against Fabio Moli, who was disqualified for hitting him while he was down.  Vidondo appeared completely finished in the fight when that happened, only 5 rounds in.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Sep 29- Oct 5

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 24, 2015 by danboxing
The good news for Sam Peter is that he’s now an active heavyweight again after 3 1/2 years out of the ring, and that he stopped his novice opponent Ron Aubrey in less than a round, as well he should.  The bad news?  He came in at 291 pounds.  That’s 31 pounds heavier than his last fight, and about 54 pounds heavier than he weighed for his last halfway decent win, over Nagy Aguilera, in 2010.  That win still qualifies him, for the time being, as a gatekeeper (I’ve got him in the mid-30s in terms of ranking among rankable fighters).  No changes to the top 20, though.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (275-488-488)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (33-33-33)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
Fury-Chisora II has been moved back a week, to November 29.
2) Alexander Povetkin (18-362-362)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (18-29-93)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (26-26-26)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: 11/8/2014 – vs. Fred Kassi (UNR)
Mansour gets a stay-busy type fight against the unknown Fred Kassi, who despite a relatively attractive 18-2 record, has lost to the likes of Lionel Butler and Kendrick Releford, and has only fought 3 times since April 2010.
5) Kubrat Pulev (33-126-203)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (33-148-211)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (17-17-37)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (17-21-83)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
The WBC reported that a deal had been reached for Stiverne to fight Wilder in mid-December.  However, both sides now deny that that is the case. If no deal is finalized, purse bids are scheduled for October 1.
9) Steve Cunningham (17-93-93)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/18/2014 – vs. Natu Visinia (UNR)
Cunningham gets what, at least on paper, looks like a stay-busy fight in October against Natu Visinia. Visinia is unbeaten at 10-0, but has fought nobody.  He’s a big boy, though.  The Samoan typically tips the scales in the 260s or 270s.
10) Tony Thompson (17-28-227)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
Thompson will be giving Odlanier Solis a well-deserved rematch in October.
11) Tomasz Adamek (17-232)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (17-227)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
After taking a tough loss and a heap of excessive criticism in a fight he frankly deserved to win, Solis will get a chance to avenge the slight with an October rematch with Tony Thompson.
13) Deontay Wilder (21-75)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (21-56)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, but is expected back in the ring in October.
15) Erkan Teper (26-57)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (26-45)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (26-45)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ruiz’s fight with Sergei Liakhovich was cancelled about a week in advance of the September 20 date when Ruiz withdrew for “family reasons.”
18) Bryant Jennings (4-10)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (4-10)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.
20) Malik Scott (4-4)

Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/24/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Despite a fair amount of worldwide action generally, the heavyweights are dormant this week.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Sep 22-28

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 24, 2015 by danboxing
Nothing much to report from last week, and no changes.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (274-487-487)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (32-32-32)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
Fury-Chisora II has been moved back a week, to November 29.
2) Alexander Povetkin (17-361-361)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (17-28-92)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (25-25-25)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Cunningham had the more sympathetic story and a legitimately great comeback attempt, but Mansour had the better collection of rounds legitimately won.  Mansour was robbed even though the fight was close, and deserves Cunningham’s former position in the rankings for his effort.
5) Kubrat Pulev (32-125-202)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (32-147-210)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (16-16-36)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (16-20-82)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
The September 12 purse bid for the expected Stiverne-Wilder fight has been inexplicably bumped back to October 1.  Still no deal.
9) Steve Cunningham (16-92-92)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/18/2014 – vs. Natu Visinia (UNR)
Cunningham gets what, at least on paper, looks like a stay-busy fight in October against Natu Visinia. Visinia is unbeaten at 10-0, but has fought nobody.  He’s a big boy, though.  The Samoan typically tips the scales in the 260s or 270s.
10) Tony Thompson (16-27-226)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
Thompson will be giving Odlanier Solis a well-deserved rematch in October.
11) Tomasz Adamek (16-231)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (16-226)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/18/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
After taking a tough loss and a heap of excessive criticism in a fight he frankly deserved to win, Solis will get a chance to avenge the slight with an October rematch with Tony Thompson.
13) Deontay Wilder (20-74)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (20-55)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, but is expected back in the ring in October.
15) Erkan Teper (25-56)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (25-44)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (25-44)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ruiz’s fight with Sergei Liakhovich was cancelled about a week in advance of the September 20 date when Ruiz withdrew for “family reasons.”
18) Bryant Jennings (3-9)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (3-9)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.

20) Malik Scott (3-3)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/24/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.
 

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Saturday
Samuel Peter vs. Ron Aubrey; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Off TV
Former top contender Sam Peter returns to the ring after a 3 1/2 year layoff.  His opponent is a complete novice. Still, a win and the active status that comes with it may at least return Peter to the top 50, since he still has one decent win on his record in the past 5 years.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Sep 15-21

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 24, 2015 by danboxing
Wednesday in Tokyo, Japan’s best heavyweight, Kyotaro Fujimoto, took care of business against journeyman Kotatsu Takahara in a defense of his national title, winning every round and stopping his man in the 5th.  This was a rematch of an apparently close unanimous decision win from last year.

 

The following night in Vegas, big but aging Cuban prospect Luis Ortiz blew out former Cruiserweight contender Lateef Kayode, who just couldn’t handle the power or size.  Kayode looked intimidated from the jump, and especially considering he was the smaller guy, his footwork was slow, stiff, and frankly terrible.  The fight was over with a TKO within one round.

 

Saturday in Manchester, England, unbeaten Englishman Anthony Joshua continued to impress, totally dominating an overwhelmed Konstantin Airich to a 3rd round stoppage.  I’m pretty sure Airich didn’t land a single punch.  Though he’s been slipping of late, Airich is generally the kind of guy who can give a pretender a bad night.  Anthony Joshua is no pretender.  He’s still only in the lower half of the top 50 in terms of accomplishment, but it’s plain to see this guy is headed for the top 10 sooner rather than later.  

 

I considered Ortiz for a ranking, but Kayode is his only truly significant win, and was only proven at cruiserweight, and some time ago, at that.  The big Cuban is certainly in the queue now, and might ascend based on this performance alone if a couple of higher-ranked fighters.  For now, he’s in the low-20s but just a couple spots out of the rankings.  No changes.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (273-486-486)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (31-31-31)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
Fury-Chisora II has been moved back a week, to November 29.
2) Alexander Povetkin (16-360-360)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (16-27-91)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (24-24-24)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Cunningham had the more sympathetic story and a legitimately great comeback attempt, but Mansour had the better collection of rounds legitimately won.  Mansour was robbed even though the fight was close, and deserves Cunningham’s former position in the rankings for his effort.
5) Kubrat Pulev (31-124-201)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (31-146-209)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/29/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (15-15-35)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (15-19-81)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
The September 12 purse bid for the expected Stiverne-Wilder fight has been inexplicably bumped back to October 1.  Still no deal.
9) Steve Cunningham (15-91-91)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/18/2014 – vs. Natu Visinia (UNR)
Cunningham gets what, at least on paper, looks like a stay-busy fight in October against Natu Visinia. Visinia is unbeaten at 10-0, but has fought nobody.  He’s a big boy, though.  The Samoan typically tips the scales in the 260s or 270s.
10) Tony Thompson (15-26-225)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 10/?/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
Thompson will be giving Odlanier Solis a well-deserved rematch in October, it would appear.
11) Tomasz Adamek (15-230)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (15-225)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/?/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
After taking a tough loss and a heap of excessive criticism in a fight he frankly deserved to win, Solis will get a chance to avenge the slight with an October rematch with Tony Thompson.
13) Deontay Wilder (19-73)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (19-54)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, but is expected back in the ring in October.
15) Erkan Teper (24-55)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (24-43)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (24-43)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Ruiz’s fight with Sergei Liakhovich was cancelled about a week in advance of the September 20 date when Ruiz withdrew for “family reasons.”
18) Bryant Jennings (2-8)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (2-8)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.

20) Malik Scott (2-2)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/24/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.
 

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
No meaningful Heavyweight action on tap for this week.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Sep 8-14

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 19, 2015 by danboxing
Last week’s only potentially significant fight- Ian Lewison vs. Gary Cornish, was rendered insignificant for my purposes when Lewison- a member of my top 50- was replaced as opponent to the unproven Cornish by the not-so-great Larry Olubamiwo, whom Cornish outpointed over 8.

 

Seth Mitchell, #18 last week, has now been inactive for over a year.  I think a lot of people saw that coming practically the second he lost to Arreola.  In any case, he’s removed from the rankings, at least until he gets around to resuming his career.

 

Mike Perez and Bryant Jennings each move up a spot due to Mitchell’s ouster, and Malik Scott returns at #20 for the first time since those two fellas combined to force him out on July 28.  Francesco Pianeta may have appeared to be next in line since he was ahead of Scott back then.  Unfortunately for the German-based Italian, his best career win over Matt Skelton is now only days away from being five years old and, therefore, irrelevant.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (272-485-485)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (30-30-30)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/22/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
After saying he was no longer interested in fighting Chisora after his rival withdrew from a scheduled fight, the fight is now rescheduled for November 22.
2) Alexander Povetkin (15-359-359)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (15-26-90)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (23-23-23)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Cunningham had the more sympathetic story and a legitimately great comeback attempt, but Mansour had the better collection of rounds legitimately won.  Mansour was robbed even though the fight was close, and deserves Cunningham’s former position in the rankings for his effort.
5) Kubrat Pulev (30-123-200)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (30-145-208)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/22/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (14-14-34)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (14-18-80)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
Stiverne had been looking at November for a big fight with Wilder.  Purse bids are scheduled for 9/12.
9) Steve Cunningham (14-90-90)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
There are unconfirmed reports of a potential fight with Bryant Jennings in the works.  It would make sense, as both guys are Main Events fighters.
10) Tony Thompson (14-25-224)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 10/?/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
Thompson will be giving Odlanier Solis a well-deserved rematch in October, it would appear.
11) Tomasz Adamek (14-229)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (14-224)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/?/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
After taking a tough loss and a heap of excessive criticism in a fight he frankly deserved to win, Solis will get a chance to avenge the slight with an October rematch with Tony Thompson.
13) Deontay Wilder (18-72)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (18-53)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, but is expected back in the ring in October.
15) Erkan Teper (23-54)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (23-42)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #20 Malik Scott
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (23-42)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/20/2014- vs. Sergey Liakhovich (UNR)
Ruiz will headline a Solo Boxeo card from Phoenix on September 20 against former contender and current journeyman Sergey Liakhovich.
18) Bryant Jennings (1-7)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
19) Mike Perez (1-7)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.

20) Malik Scott (1-1)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (KO1) vs. #13 Deontay Wilder
Next Fight: 10/24/2014 – vs. #16 Alex Leapai
See Leapai’s notes, above.
 

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Wednesday
Kyotaro Fujimoto vs. Kotatsu Takehara; Tokyo, Japan; TV Unknown
The not-so-internationally-prestigious Japanese Heavyweight title is on the line as fringe-top-50 one-loss prospect and national Champion Fujimoto defends against Takahara, who is a mid-level journeyman in a worldwide context.  Fujimoto is best known for outpointing pumped-up middleweight Nobuhiro Ishida back in April.
 
Thursday
Luis Ortiz vs. Lateef Kayode; Las Vegas, Nevada; Fox Sports 1 (US)
Kayode at one point was closing in on a top 5 ranking at cruiserweight.  He moved up to heavyweight following his draw with a steroid-aided Antonio Tarver, but hasn’t fought a significant fighter since.  Enter Ortiz.  He’s a former top Cuban amateur, who really hasn’t fought anyone of serious note at any point, aside from maybe an old Monte Barrett.  Like many Cubano pro fighters, he got a late start, and is just now ready to make a potential splash at the age of 35.  Kayode, who you might reasonably still view as a prospect, is 31 himself.
 
Saturday
Anthony Joshua vs. Konstantin Airich; Manchester, England; Sky (UK)
This is a matchup of the next big thing versus a journeyman who has occasionally broken through to the lower part of the top 50.  Airich appears very much on the downside of his already relatively modest career, having lost to his last 5 half-decent opponents since his huge upset win over Ondrej Pala in 2012.  If nothing else, a victory for Joshua would elevate him to the status of a clearly proven top 50 fighter, as opposed to merely a somewhat proven top 50 fighter.  If he’s able to stop Airich (which seems very likely), he will be ready to move up about 2 levels and make a run towards the top 10.

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Heavyweight: 2014, Sep 1-7

Posted in Heavyweight, Rankings with tags , , , , , , , on December 5, 2015 by danboxing
Coming into Saturday’s 10-rounder with 6-1 novice Timur Musafarov, Denis Boytsov was fighting for his status as a top 50 heavyweight.  Even to that point, it had been a shocking fall from grace for the once-hot prospect who had been ranked in or around the top 5 within the last few years, and even as little as 9 months ago had been just one gimme win away from a shot at Klitschko.  But as you may know, he was soundly defeated by gatekeeper Alex Leapai, who claimed the shot in his stead.  Musafarov probably wasn’t as much a novice nor non-entity as I presumed him to be.  A closer look at his record reveals that his lone loss was a split decision to current #15 Erkan Teper, in a fight I now really wish I’d seen.  In retrospect, Teper may be lucky that there appears to be no video of the fight online.  But by the same token, Musafarov hadn’t beaten anybody remotely competent to this point, either.  

 

That changed on Saturday, though the typically in-the-tank German judges failed to notice.  Referee Joerg Milke, who I would have to say I typically see as one of the more fair German officials out there, was anything but in this fight.  He would break the action for little or no reason just as it appeared Musafarov was at an advantage.  Late in the fight when Boytsov was exhausted and looking to kill clock, Milke would wait about 3 or 4 ticks before moving in to break the clinch.  But even worse, he took a point from Musafarov for accidental head clashes, which to my eyes looked very run of the mill, and which didn’t seem to be especially caused by Musafarov.  

 

Boytsov was extremely out of shape, and didn’t look like much better than an average club fighter.  He didn’t do much of anything until about round 5, where he finally started to uncork some power shots.  Unfortunately for him, he only seemed to have about 2 rounds worth of gas in him for the 10 round fight, as he faded badly after two good rounds in the 5th and 6th, and was dominated, bullied, and frankly looking to survive for the last 4 rounds.  Reasonable scores could range, in my opinion, from 96-94 Musafarov to 98-92 Musafarov (technically 95-94 and 97-92 from the judges’ perspective because of the blatantly biased point deduction that they were required to honor).  Actual scores were 95-94 from Ingo Barrabas, 97-93 from Norbert Duernberger, and 98-91 from Alexander Plumanns.  I’ll give Barrabas the benefit of the doubt that maybe he just made a mistake in scoring the blood that Musafarov wore on his face in several spots due to the head clash, or that he gave some of the semi-close early rounds to Boytsov because of confirmation bias given the disparate reputations of the fighters.  Not excusable, but maybe not sinister.  Duernberger and Plumanns are likely irredeemable crooks.  Plumanns is new to me, and I kinda hope he’s quickly forgotten.  I’ve scored 2 fights along with Duernberger that I’m aware of.  He did a good job in Gbenga Oloukun vs. Edmund Gerber, but not so much in Robert Helenius vs. Sherman Williams.  So he’s 1 for 3 on turning in reasonable cards.

 

Regardless of what awful or corrupt judges say, Musafarov clearly won the fight, and Boytsov has now conclusively fallen out of the top 50.  He’s not even 30 years old yet, but he may be done.  Musafarov caught Boytsov on the way down pretty clearly, though, so he’ll need another good win or two land anywhere near the top 20.  No changes.

 

Dan’s Top 20 (Weeks in current position-weeks in top 10 (if applicable)-weeks in top 20)
Champ: Wladimir Klitschko (271-484-484)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- TKO5 #16 Alex Leapai
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. #5 Kubrat Pulev
The Pulev defense has now been rescheduled for November 15.
1) Tyson Fury (29-29-29)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- TKO4 Joey Abell (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/22/2014- vs. #6 Dereck Chisora
After saying he was no longer interested in fighting Chisora after his rival withdrew from a scheduled fight, the fight is now rescheduled for November 22.
2) Alexander Povetkin (14-358-358)
Last Fight: 5/30/2014- TKO7 Manuel Charr (UNR)
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #7 Carlos Takam
Povetkin will attempt to halt the meteoric rise of rugged slugger Carlos Takam when the two meet in Russia on October 24.
3) Vyacheslav Glazkov (14-25-89)
Last Fight: 8/9/2014- W(MD10) vs. Derric Rossy (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Glazkov didn’t exactly earn any style points for his lazy showing against big underdog Rossy, but a win’s a win, I suppose…
4) Amir Mansour (22-22-22)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery L (UD10) vs. #4 Steve Cunningham
Next Fight: Unknown
Cunningham had the more sympathetic story and a legitimately great comeback attempt, but Mansour had the better collection of rounds legitimately won.  Mansour was robbed even though the fight was close, and deserves Cunningham’s former position in the rankings for his effort.
5) Kubrat Pulev (29-122-199)
Last Fight: 4/5/2014- RTD3 Ivica Perkovic (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/15/2014- vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
See Klitschko’s notes, above.
6) Dereck Chisora (29-144-207)
Last Fight: 2/15/2014- UD12 Kevin Johnson (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/22/2014- vs. #1 Tyson Fury
See Fury’s notes, above.
7) Carlos Takam (13-13-33)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- UD12 #9 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. #2 Alexander Povetkin
Takam looks to go from contender to international superstar when he looks to topple Povetkin in Russia in late October.
8) Bermane Stiverne (13-17-79)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- TKO6 #13 Chris Arreola
Next Fight: Unknown
Stiverne had been looking at November for a big fight with Wilder.  Purse bids are scheduled for 9/12.
9) Steve Cunningham (13-89-89)
Last Fight: 4/4/2014- Robbery W (UD10) vs. Amir Mansour (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
There are unconfirmed reports of a potential fight with Bryant Jennings in the works.  It would make sense, as both guys are Main Events fighters.
10) Tony Thompson (13-24-223)
Last Fight: 6/6/2014- L (UD12) vs. #12 Carlos Takam
Next Fight: 10/?/2014- vs. #12 Odlanier Solis
Thompson will be giving Odlanier Solis a well-deserved rematch in October, it would appear.
11) Tomasz Adamek (13-228)
Last Fight: 3/15/2014- L (UD12) vs. #18 Vyacheslav Glazkov
Next Fight: 11/8/2014- vs. Artur Szpilka (UNR)
Originally penciled in for October 18 in Lodz, it now appears that Adamek-Szpilka is destined for November 8 in Krakow.
12) Odlanier Solis (13-223)
Last Fight: 3/22/2014- L* (SD12) vs. #13 Tony Thompson
Next Fight: 10/?/2014- vs. #10 Tony Thompson
After taking a tough loss and a heap of excessive criticism in a fight he frankly deserved to win, Solis will get a chance to avenge the slight with an October rematch with Tony Thompson.
13) Deontay Wilder (17-71)
Last Fight: 8/16/2014- W(RTD4) vs. Jason Gavern (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
See Stiverne’s notes, above.
14) Chris Arreola (17-52)
Last Fight: 5/10/2014- L (TKO6) vs. #12 Bermane Stiverne
Next Fight: Unknown
Arreola had elbow surgery, but is expected back in the ring in October.
15) Erkan Teper (22-53)
Last Fight: 6/13/2014- RTD6 Newfel Ouatah (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Teper’s effort in his last fight- and perhaps especially in the gym leading up to it- was awful, and he got lucky when his opponent turned out to be almost as out of shape as him, in addition to being an apparent quitter.
16) Alex Leapai (22-41)
Last Fight: 4/26/2014- L (KO5) vs. Champ Wladimir Klitschko
Next Fight: 10/24/2014- vs. Malik Scott (UNR)
After intended fights with Shannon Briggs and Sam Peter fell through, Leapai will have an interesting matchup with Malik Scott.
17) Andy Ruiz (22-41)
Last Fight: 5/17/2014- TKO2 Manuel Quezada (UNR)
Next Fight: 9/20/2014- vs. Sergey Liakhovich (UNR)
Ruiz will headline a Solo Boxeo card from Phoenix on September 20 against former contender and current journeyman Sergey Liakhovich.
18) Seth Mitchell (22-65)
Last Fight: 9/7/2013- L (TKO1) vs. Chris Arreola (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Mitchell will be out for inactivity next week, unless he should schedule something by then- something there’s been zero buzz about.
19) Bryant Jennings (6-6)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- W* (SD12) vs. Mike Perez (UNR)
Next Fight: Unknown
Reasonable minds can disagree on the correct result of Jennings-Perez.  What’s clear, though, is that Jennings is not nearly ready for Klitschko, a fight some of his supporters have been proposing for a while now.  He himself appears to want the Wilder-Stiverne winner, which might be more within his competency.
20) Mike Perez (6-6)
Last Fight: 7/26/2014- L* (SD12) vs. Bryant Jennings (UNR)
Next Fight: 11/?/2014 – vs. Unknown Opponent
Perez, who calls Cork, Ireland home, will return to his home base in November when he headlines a card there.  Details TBD.

 

THE WEEK AHEAD:
Saturday
Ian Lewison vs. Gary Cornish; Paisley, Scotland; TV Unknown
This is a nice little under-the-radar matchup.  Lewison impressed in his Prizefighter appearance, having destroyed Timo Hoffmann and gotten a bit of a raw deal in the 2nd round against Derric Rossy.  This fight could get him legitimately on the map for the first time, but the fact that they’re fighting in 6’7″ Scotsman Cornish’s back yard should tell you something about which fighter is thought to have the brighter future.

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