zatoicchi
17.07.08, 08:11
1. Wladimir Klitschko (50-3)
After the stinkbomb fight he won against Sultan Ibragimov in February, mainly because of Ibragimov's unwillingness to fight, Klitschko still needs to make a statement when he meets mandatory challenger Tony Thompson in Germany.
Next: July 12 vs. Thompson.
2. Samuel Peter (30-1)
Assuming Vitali Klitschko is healthy enough to finally make it to the ring for his undeserved mandatory shot at Peter's belt, at least Showtime will be on hand to televise it in the United States now that it has made a deal with Peter promoter Dino Duva.
Next: Oct. 4 or Oct. 11 vs. V. Klitschko.
3. Ruslan Chagaev (24-0-1)
Chagaev had surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon, forcing him out of a planned July 5 rematch with former titlist Nikolai Valuev, the third time he's pulled out of a defense since winning a belt in Nov. 2006. Because Chagaev is going to be out of action for a long stretch, the WBA has named him something called a "champion in recess" while Valuev and John Ruiz fight for the title. Chagaev has dibs on the winner when (if?) he ever fights again.
Next: TBA.
4. Nikolai Valuev (48-1)
The former titleholder's rematch with Chagaev was called off for a second time because of Chagaev's injury. However, now Valuev will face John Ruiz, from whom he took the title in December 2005, in a rematch for the vacant belt. They need to make a deal by July 15 or the fight goes to a purse bid.
Next: TBA vs. Ruiz.
5. Alexander Povetkin (15-0)
In a tune-up fight in Moscow, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist will face the not-so-imposing Taurus Sykes (25-4-1), who is coming off a loss to former champ Hasim Rahman. If Povetkin wins, which he should do easily, he'll be in line for a fall mandatory against the Klitschko-Thompson winner.
Next: July 19 vs. Sykes.
ESPN - ESPN.com's division-by-division rankings - Boxing (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=3222461)
After the stinkbomb fight he won against Sultan Ibragimov in February, mainly because of Ibragimov's unwillingness to fight, Klitschko still needs to make a statement when he meets mandatory challenger Tony Thompson in Germany.
Next: July 12 vs. Thompson.
2. Samuel Peter (30-1)
Assuming Vitali Klitschko is healthy enough to finally make it to the ring for his undeserved mandatory shot at Peter's belt, at least Showtime will be on hand to televise it in the United States now that it has made a deal with Peter promoter Dino Duva.
Next: Oct. 4 or Oct. 11 vs. V. Klitschko.
3. Ruslan Chagaev (24-0-1)
Chagaev had surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon, forcing him out of a planned July 5 rematch with former titlist Nikolai Valuev, the third time he's pulled out of a defense since winning a belt in Nov. 2006. Because Chagaev is going to be out of action for a long stretch, the WBA has named him something called a "champion in recess" while Valuev and John Ruiz fight for the title. Chagaev has dibs on the winner when (if?) he ever fights again.
Next: TBA.
4. Nikolai Valuev (48-1)
The former titleholder's rematch with Chagaev was called off for a second time because of Chagaev's injury. However, now Valuev will face John Ruiz, from whom he took the title in December 2005, in a rematch for the vacant belt. They need to make a deal by July 15 or the fight goes to a purse bid.
Next: TBA vs. Ruiz.
5. Alexander Povetkin (15-0)
In a tune-up fight in Moscow, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist will face the not-so-imposing Taurus Sykes (25-4-1), who is coming off a loss to former champ Hasim Rahman. If Povetkin wins, which he should do easily, he'll be in line for a fall mandatory against the Klitschko-Thompson winner.
Next: July 19 vs. Sykes.
ESPN - ESPN.com's division-by-division rankings - Boxing (http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?columnist=rafael_dan&id=3222461)