Contenders…

Boxing, the sick man of sport, suffered a major trauma last week with the retirement of Vitali Klitschko. The 34-year-old Ukrainian, who held the WBC crown, was the one class fighter in a division mired in mediocrity. With the installation of Hasim Rahman as the WBC's new belt-holder, promoter Don King now controls all four world champions and wants to organise a heavyweight tournament to determine the undisputed king. BBC Sport looks at the likely participants and others hoping to revive the wheezing heavyweight ranks. Hasim Rahman (WBC champion) Rahman, 32, knocked out an unfit Lennox Lewis for the undisputed crown in 2001 but lost the rematch, was beaten by a fading Evander Holyfield the following year and lost on points to current WBA champion John Ruiz in 2003. The Baltimore native is apparently taking training more seriously nowadays but it is difficult to imagine him bossing the division, despite some solid recent wins on his record. John Ruiz (WBA champion) The fact Ruiz, 33, has been beaten by two former middleweights (Roy Jones Jr and James Toney) is perhaps the best indication of the state of the division. Ruiz, who lost to Toney in April only to be handed the title back after Toney failed a drugs test, is a grim champion with a penchant for hugging opponents for the full 12 rounds. Not what the sport needs. Chris Byrd (IBF champion) The 35-year-old won the crown from Holyfield in 2002 and is a crafty southpaw nobody wants to fight. Small for a heavyweight and with limited firepower at his disposal, he has laboured through four defences against middling opposition and was battered by Wladimir Klitschko when the two met in 2000. Lamon Brewster (WBO champion) At least Brewster, who beat Wladimir Klitschko for the vacant title last year, likes a tear-up and has a good chin and power in abundance. But the 32-year-old is lacking in the technical department and in most other eras would have been no more than a fringe contender. Wladimir Klitschko Many thought the younger Klitschko, 29, was better than his brother before South Africa's Corrie Sanders had him down four times in 2003. Brewster knocked him out again last year and, despite a solid win over Nigerian hope Samuel Peter in September, his chin and stamina remain deeply suspect. James Toney A former three-weight world champion, Toney roasted a pathetic Holyfield in 2003 before completely outclassing Ruiz in April. He was subsequently stripped of the WBA crown after testing positive for steroids before returning to beat former prospect Dominick Guinn. Charismatic, talented - but the future of the division? Hardly. Nicolay Valuev The 7ft Russian is unbeaten in 42 contests, including 31 knockouts, but built that record mainly in Russia and Germany, meaning it is difficult to judge the quality of his opponents. He only just beat Larry Donald last month, and Donald himself is no great shakes. His size alone makes him a formidable foe and it would be refreshing to see him beat Ruiz when they meet next month. Calvin Brock Former 2000 Olympian Brock has emerged as a legitimate contender following his come-off-the-canvas win over ex-world title contender Jameel McCline in April. The 30-year-old could fight former world title contender David Tua next January and that will give us a better idea of his skills - or lack of them. Audley Harrison The 34-year-old won Olympic gold in 2000 but, with only 19 bouts in five years as a professional, has hardly set the boxing world alight. Williams expects Harrison to quit That said, the paucity of talented boxers at the top weight means Harrison may get an invite to King's heavyweight jamboree - but only if he disposes of fellow Londoner Danny Williams next month. Matt Skelton The British and Commonwealth champion only took up boxing three years ago and is a crude banger with the heart of a lion. Promoter Frank Warren has spoken of getting him a shot at Ruiz's WBA crown but the fact he is English and 38-years-old could see him frozen out of King's grand plan. :boxing: