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Counting up all the heavyweight bouts of any significance in 2005, it’s clear that there’s been an even greater decline from the previous year. With the total inactivity and subsequent retirement of the man being hailed as the division’s leader, heavyweight title fights numbered nearly HALF that of 2004, with just five bouts seeing the major belts (including the WBO) on the line.
Looking for bouts of significance, I can only find ELEVEN. Let’s have a look back over the calendar year:
April: John Ruiz vs. James Toney. Brought forward to fill a gap left by one of Vitali’s four injury pull-outs against Hasim Rahman, Ruiz performed in a better-than-expected fight against a by far more popular fighter. Although clearly outpointed, this was some way from the one-sided demonstrations Toney’s other heavyweight bouts have been, and if “The Quiet Man” had larger support there’s every reason to believe it could have been closer on the scorecards. In the event, Toney was found with substances in his blood test, and it was a No Contest. C+
May: Lamon Brewster vs. Andrew Golota. A defence Brewster was widely expected to lose before the bout took place, it produced a spectacle much beloved of the division, and which increased his standing considerably: the first-round blowout. A-
June: Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride. Is it just me or does this feel like it happened years ago now? Amazingly it’s only been five months since Mike sat down (because we can still pretend he was fully KO’d against Williams in 2004 should we care to) and announced his retirement. Though there are strong indications that this now won’t be his last hurrah, it was of significance for seeing Tyson quit and also seeing how far he’d fallen. Though there was no sign of Iron Mike that night, his nipple-biting and arm-twisting antics brought back some perversely fond memories. B- (Hey, it’s Mike Tyson!)
August: Hasim Rahman vs. Monte Barrett. In terms of political movement, this was THE most significant event of the year. Even though this was for the “WBC Interim Title” and the mandatory position to face the belt holder, its acquirement meant that Rahman was able to step into the vacant WBC Champion slot when Klitschko retired. As for the bout, it’s the worst heavyweight fight I’ve seen in over twenty years of watching the sport, a lifeless affair that saw the feather fists of Barrett rock Hasim in the final round and thus give the lie to any suggestion that a fighter could run in fear of this fading almost-talent. E
September: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter. Klitschko had also won unconvincingly in April against Eliseo Castillo, and Peter had made names of Yanqui Diaz, Gilbert Martinez and Taurus Sykes by destroying them all inside the distance, but in terms of world significance, the untested up-and-comer vs. the fallen would-be star was the big attraction. In the event, it turned out to be something of a slight retrospective damp squib: Klitschko resumed his status as a tarnished heir apparent by climbing off the canvas three times (only once legally put down, though all three were counted) and the inexperienced Peter was spoiled by holding and his own fatigue. B-
September: Lamon Brewster vs. Luan Krasniqi. It says something of the state of the division that Brewster is being praised as an active title holder because he defended his strap twice in the year. (Naturally, Ruiz, who did the same, does not get equal respect). Yet Brewster also travelled for the defence, risking his WBO belt in the controversial boxing world of Germany. As it turned out, Krasniqi proved himself more than worthy to challenge for a title, his superior jab and footwork edging him ahead in the fight for the first seven rounds. Though all three judges had Brewster behind at the time of stoppage, Lamon was 76-75 on my card after the eighth. Krasniqi was afforded an extra three or four seconds to get up after the ten count had ended when dropped for the first time in the eighth round, though showed the spirit to not only take further punishment in the ninth but also fire back with shots that would have dropped many other heavyweights. Though dropped again in the ninth, he was still on his feet when the fight was stopped, and showed the chin and punching power to trade with Brewster on equal terms. Krasniqi had earnt further bouts at the highest level of the division. A-
October: Chris Byrd vs. DaVarryl Williamson. While this would attract many votes as the worst heavyweight bout of 2005 – possibly of ALL time – I actually thought it was slightly better than the Rahman-Barrett match-up. Why, I don’t care to say, as – like Rahman-Barrett – it’s something I’ve tried to blot from my memory. Two friends reportedly have dinner the night before, then go before the world’s cameras to play pat-a-cake. Dire. D-
October: James Toney vs. Dominick Guinn. Of significance because of his likely "belt holder in waiting" status, Toney put on a masterclass against Guinn, audaciously touching his glove with Jay Nady after a round and constantly acknowledging the audience as he schooled Guinn in the most literal sense of the term. A-
November: Oleg Maskaev vs. Sinan Samil Sam. A fight for the WBC International Heavyweight Title and (somewhat unfairly, given that Sam had already earnt it) the WBC No.1 ranking. Maskaev won clearly on points against a sluggish and frustrated Sam, though it was Sam’s exceptional chin that perhaps came out with the best reputation. In a year of drab heavyweight action, this was one of the best division fights of the year. B-
December: Danny Williams vs. Audley Harrison. A legitimate entry given that it would show whether Olympic Gold medal winner Harrison was a serious heavyweight contender. He has more skill than his up-and-coming peers (Peter, Brock, Skelton, et al) but could he actually fight? After a tepid nine rounds where the crowd booed and heckled while Audley pawed and held, it finally came alive in the last three. Harrison showed the ability to actually hurt a tiring Williams in the eleventh and twelfth, though was decked heavily in the tenth. Williams let Harrison off the hook somewhat (attributed to him spraining his ankle during a joint fall in the second) though was the only one there to fight. Harrison showed he had little punch, an extremely weak chin and virtually no heart whatsoever. Williams, despite being at least three years past his prime, was the deserved winner of a split decision in an anti-climatic bout. C-.
December: John Ruiz vs. Nicolay Valuev. If you're only as good as your last fight, then 2005 saw a Ruiz that had two fights that were a step up from his usual style and were competitive when they weren't expected to be. To Ruiz's eternal credit he never ducks a challenge, and for this one he risked fighting in the notoriously dodgy scoring land of Germany while also giving away nearly a foot in height, 7 inches in reach, and nearly 100lbs in weight. While Ruiz became tired during the last four rounds, he used his underrated boxing skills to step in and out of Valuev's reach and hurt the literal giant on several occasions with his (again, underrated) power. There was plenty of holding, yet NONE of it was initiated by John. I had it 115-113 Ruiz, though sadly the judges (114-114, 116-113, 116-114 Valuev) didn't agree. Highlight of the bout was Norman Stone, Ruiz's extremely volatile trainer, stealing back the belt and running off with them with a "**** you guys! You guys suck!" Sadly, this saw Valuev's trainer pitch in with the best right hook of the evening and poor old Stoney floundering around with mock "hold me back" rage once more. The final result left a bad taste in the mouth at the sight of an eternal underdog cruelly cheated... but Stoney at least provided a fitting encore.
B-
A+ (Stoney)
Looking for bouts of significance, I can only find ELEVEN. Let’s have a look back over the calendar year:
April: John Ruiz vs. James Toney. Brought forward to fill a gap left by one of Vitali’s four injury pull-outs against Hasim Rahman, Ruiz performed in a better-than-expected fight against a by far more popular fighter. Although clearly outpointed, this was some way from the one-sided demonstrations Toney’s other heavyweight bouts have been, and if “The Quiet Man” had larger support there’s every reason to believe it could have been closer on the scorecards. In the event, Toney was found with substances in his blood test, and it was a No Contest. C+
May: Lamon Brewster vs. Andrew Golota. A defence Brewster was widely expected to lose before the bout took place, it produced a spectacle much beloved of the division, and which increased his standing considerably: the first-round blowout. A-
June: Mike Tyson vs. Kevin McBride. Is it just me or does this feel like it happened years ago now? Amazingly it’s only been five months since Mike sat down (because we can still pretend he was fully KO’d against Williams in 2004 should we care to) and announced his retirement. Though there are strong indications that this now won’t be his last hurrah, it was of significance for seeing Tyson quit and also seeing how far he’d fallen. Though there was no sign of Iron Mike that night, his nipple-biting and arm-twisting antics brought back some perversely fond memories. B- (Hey, it’s Mike Tyson!)
August: Hasim Rahman vs. Monte Barrett. In terms of political movement, this was THE most significant event of the year. Even though this was for the “WBC Interim Title” and the mandatory position to face the belt holder, its acquirement meant that Rahman was able to step into the vacant WBC Champion slot when Klitschko retired. As for the bout, it’s the worst heavyweight fight I’ve seen in over twenty years of watching the sport, a lifeless affair that saw the feather fists of Barrett rock Hasim in the final round and thus give the lie to any suggestion that a fighter could run in fear of this fading almost-talent. E
September: Wladimir Klitschko vs. Samuel Peter. Klitschko had also won unconvincingly in April against Eliseo Castillo, and Peter had made names of Yanqui Diaz, Gilbert Martinez and Taurus Sykes by destroying them all inside the distance, but in terms of world significance, the untested up-and-comer vs. the fallen would-be star was the big attraction. In the event, it turned out to be something of a slight retrospective damp squib: Klitschko resumed his status as a tarnished heir apparent by climbing off the canvas three times (only once legally put down, though all three were counted) and the inexperienced Peter was spoiled by holding and his own fatigue. B-
September: Lamon Brewster vs. Luan Krasniqi. It says something of the state of the division that Brewster is being praised as an active title holder because he defended his strap twice in the year. (Naturally, Ruiz, who did the same, does not get equal respect). Yet Brewster also travelled for the defence, risking his WBO belt in the controversial boxing world of Germany. As it turned out, Krasniqi proved himself more than worthy to challenge for a title, his superior jab and footwork edging him ahead in the fight for the first seven rounds. Though all three judges had Brewster behind at the time of stoppage, Lamon was 76-75 on my card after the eighth. Krasniqi was afforded an extra three or four seconds to get up after the ten count had ended when dropped for the first time in the eighth round, though showed the spirit to not only take further punishment in the ninth but also fire back with shots that would have dropped many other heavyweights. Though dropped again in the ninth, he was still on his feet when the fight was stopped, and showed the chin and punching power to trade with Brewster on equal terms. Krasniqi had earnt further bouts at the highest level of the division. A-
October: Chris Byrd vs. DaVarryl Williamson. While this would attract many votes as the worst heavyweight bout of 2005 – possibly of ALL time – I actually thought it was slightly better than the Rahman-Barrett match-up. Why, I don’t care to say, as – like Rahman-Barrett – it’s something I’ve tried to blot from my memory. Two friends reportedly have dinner the night before, then go before the world’s cameras to play pat-a-cake. Dire. D-
October: James Toney vs. Dominick Guinn. Of significance because of his likely "belt holder in waiting" status, Toney put on a masterclass against Guinn, audaciously touching his glove with Jay Nady after a round and constantly acknowledging the audience as he schooled Guinn in the most literal sense of the term. A-
November: Oleg Maskaev vs. Sinan Samil Sam. A fight for the WBC International Heavyweight Title and (somewhat unfairly, given that Sam had already earnt it) the WBC No.1 ranking. Maskaev won clearly on points against a sluggish and frustrated Sam, though it was Sam’s exceptional chin that perhaps came out with the best reputation. In a year of drab heavyweight action, this was one of the best division fights of the year. B-
December: Danny Williams vs. Audley Harrison. A legitimate entry given that it would show whether Olympic Gold medal winner Harrison was a serious heavyweight contender. He has more skill than his up-and-coming peers (Peter, Brock, Skelton, et al) but could he actually fight? After a tepid nine rounds where the crowd booed and heckled while Audley pawed and held, it finally came alive in the last three. Harrison showed the ability to actually hurt a tiring Williams in the eleventh and twelfth, though was decked heavily in the tenth. Williams let Harrison off the hook somewhat (attributed to him spraining his ankle during a joint fall in the second) though was the only one there to fight. Harrison showed he had little punch, an extremely weak chin and virtually no heart whatsoever. Williams, despite being at least three years past his prime, was the deserved winner of a split decision in an anti-climatic bout. C-.
December: John Ruiz vs. Nicolay Valuev. If you're only as good as your last fight, then 2005 saw a Ruiz that had two fights that were a step up from his usual style and were competitive when they weren't expected to be. To Ruiz's eternal credit he never ducks a challenge, and for this one he risked fighting in the notoriously dodgy scoring land of Germany while also giving away nearly a foot in height, 7 inches in reach, and nearly 100lbs in weight. While Ruiz became tired during the last four rounds, he used his underrated boxing skills to step in and out of Valuev's reach and hurt the literal giant on several occasions with his (again, underrated) power. There was plenty of holding, yet NONE of it was initiated by John. I had it 115-113 Ruiz, though sadly the judges (114-114, 116-113, 116-114 Valuev) didn't agree. Highlight of the bout was Norman Stone, Ruiz's extremely volatile trainer, stealing back the belt and running off with them with a "**** you guys! You guys suck!" Sadly, this saw Valuev's trainer pitch in with the best right hook of the evening and poor old Stoney floundering around with mock "hold me back" rage once more. The final result left a bad taste in the mouth at the sight of an eternal underdog cruelly cheated... but Stoney at least provided a fitting encore.
B-
A+ (Stoney)
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