The Heavyweight Division: Can anyone step Forward? (My Column)

The Heavyweight Division: Can anyone step Forward? By Ryan Songalia, photo courtesy Fight News 6-26-06 Team Pinoy http://www.fightnews.com/wlad_sam3.jpg An old adage suggests that as the heavyweight division goes, so goes the sport of boxing. The heavyweight champion is generally perceived as being the toughest man alive. Former heavyweight champion James L. Sullivan once remarked "I can lick anyone in the house", a testament to the heavyweight championship being the greatest prize in sports. Similarly, Mike Tyson declared himself "The Baddest Man on the Planet", which is what the heavyweight champion has been interpreted as. Historically, there have been heavyweight champions that transcended the sport, larger than life icons that became part of pop culture. Legends like Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis captured the imagination of the public, inspiring the next generation of fighters and remaining in the hearts of the fans. We are sorely missing that kind of champion. From 1999-2003, Lennox Lewis reigned as the heavyweight champion of the world. Save for a brief period in 2001, when Hasim Rahman upset Lewis and held the distinction, he dominated the division, gaining universal recognition for his status as a champion. It didn't matter if Ruiz or Byrd had belts, the public looked to Lewis as The Man in the heavyweight division. Then, in early 2004, he announced his retirement, thus ending the Lennox Lewis era. So the search for a new champion began, and immediately the public looked towards Ukrainian giant Vitali Klitschko. In 2003, Vitali Klitschko impressed the boxing public with his brave performance against Lennox Lewis, giving the champ all he could handle for six rounds before Klitschko was stopped because of a horrid gash above his left eye. Following Lewis' retirement, Klitschko was considered the front runner to replace the former champion as the ruler of the division, a dominant king that would rule over all that he surveyed. After picking up the WBC title by dismantling Corrie Sanders in 2004 and dismantling Tyson-conqueror Danny Williams, Klitschko prepared to silence his detractors by facing off with the rejuvenated Hasim Rahman. After several postponements due to injury which ultimately led to the cancellation of the bout, Vitali Klitschko retired, leaving the sport once again without a legitimate heavyweight champion. Following Klitschko's retirement, I analyzed Ring Magazine's heavyweight rankings, and for the first time since glancing at a list that posted Bruce Seldon and Frank Bruno as champions, a feeling similar to discouragement came upon me. However, my journalistic integrity resolved me to set aside the mild depression I experienced and break down the heavyweight division, perhaps adding some clarity, and optimistically find a successor to the heavyweight throne. 1. Wladimir Klitschko, 46-3 (41): Prior to his 2003 encounter with journeyman Corrie Sanders, HBO commentator Larry Merchant remarked "Wladimir Klitschko seems so perfect, you almost wonder whats wrong with him." About ten minutes later, we found out what was wrong with him, as a series of left hand power shots dumped Wladimir onto the canvas a total of five times en route to a second round stoppage. After losing to Lamon Brewster by fifth round stoppage in 2004, most boxing pundits wrote him off forever as a contender. However, in such shallow heavyweight times, one big win can catipult you back to the top 10. In 2005, Wladimir Klitschko faced off against the highly regarded slugger Samuel Peter. In that fight, Wladimir Klitschko was knocked down three times by the then undefeated prospect, but still managed to outpoint him. Off of the strength of that win, Klitschko earned a second fight with IBF titlist Chris Byrd. In seven brutal rounds, Klitschko dropped the champion twice on his way to a seventh round TKO. That fight is primarily the basis for Wladimir being ranked so highly on most heavyweight lists. Wladimir Klitschko has both the best jab and the best right hand in the division. What has limited his success has been his durability. His stamina and chin will remain liabilities that will make his bid to become heavyweight champion of the world a very exciting trip. Prognosis: There are rumors circulating about a possible title defense against Shannon Briggs, although nothing is official as of press time. 2. Hasim "The Rock" Rahman, 41-5-2 (33): Rahman is another fighter who had been written off by the boxing public, only to be called back into active duty to serve in the shallow heavyweight division. Rahman does bring a ton of experience to the division, which goes a long way in such dire times. In 2001, Rahman stunned the world with a one punch knockout of heavyweight kingpin Lennox Lewis, lifting the title from the champion in one of the biggest upsets in boxing history. However, later that year Lewis turned the tables, ending Rahman's reign with one violent right hand in the fourth round of their rematch. Following that loss, Rahman embarked on a puzzling downspin that included losses to Evander Holyfield and Ruiz, and a draw with David Tua on a night in which it appeared he deserved the better fate. After signing with Don King, Rahman managed wins over no-hopers, which is sufficient credentials to earn you a title shot in the diminished state of the division. After waltzing with Monte Barrett, he signed to fight Vitali Klitschko for the WBC title. That fight fell through following Klitschko's abrupt retirement, awarding Rahman the WBC title. Seeking credibility, Rahman squared off with James Toney in the first defense of his title. Over twelve rounds, Rahman appeared to outwork and outmuscle the smaller Toney, only to have the fight declared a draw. Hasim Rahman is a very physically strong fighter, who's jab and right cross are his most effective punches. While he took up the sport at a late age, he possesses natural athletic talent that has enabled him to adapt to the sport's demands fairly well. Rahman's shortcomings involve his average chin, having been knocked out three times in his career. He also lacks a definitive left hook and the ability to counter punch, which have made him vulnerable to be neutralized by technically skilled fighters. He has shown an increased desire to win, as evidenced by his excellent physical condition against Toney. However, his slow foot speed and defensive shortcomings will hinder his performances. Prognosis: His next fight is a rematch with former knockout assailant Oleg Maskaev, and should he reverse the fortunes against Maskaev, a second bout with Toney is on the horizon. 3. James "Lights Out" Toney, 69-4-3 (43): Toney is a sure fire Hall of Famer looking to annex a heavyweight belt, while adding to his bank account. The former middleweight, super middleweight, and cruiserweight champion moved into the heavyweight division in 2003, with his one-sided schooling of a faded Holyfield. In 2005, he faced John Ruiz for the chance to become the third former middleweight champion to become a heavyweight titlist, following in the footsteps of John L. Sullivan and Roy Jones. During the course of that fight, Toney counterpunched and dropped Ruiz, and was declared the winner of the bout. However, when the post fight drug test came back, Toney tested positive for steroids and was stripped of the title, with the official verdict being altered to a draw. After putting on a boxing lesson against heavyweight enigma Dominick Guinn, Toney got his second shot at a heavyweight title against Hasim Rahman. Toney, who weighed in at a bloated 237 pounds. That figure was not a perfunctory statistic, as it showed up time and again. Toney's balance had been compromised by the extra weight and he had been reduced to fighting in spurts, which is partially the reason most ringside observers felt he lost that bout. Although he did not appear to deserve that victory, he did exhibit his world class talent, landing big counter right hands and remaining a hard target to hit. James Toney is beyond a doubt the most gifted counter puncher in the sport today. Not since Archie Moore and Ezzard Charles had anyone been as adept as Toney at rolling his shoulder and countering with combinations. His punches lack power though, as he has only scored one knockout since his latest reincarnation as a heavyweight. He has incredible foot work and hand speed, always one or two steps from being in range to land one of his brilliant combinations. He is also one of the most gifted infighters in the sport, dominating nearly every opponent who stands in front of him in close. He will have to take his conditioning more seriously in the future if he is to succeed in gaining a heavyweight title. At 5'9, 237 pounds is not the weight that a professional boxer should be carrying around. He is 37 years old, and needs to act quickly before the sand runs out of his hour glass. Prognosis: Possible showdown with Samuel Peter, followed by title shot with Rahman/Maskaev winner. 4. Serguei Lyakhovich, 23-1 (14): Talk about coming out of nowhere. In 2004, Lyakhovich was picked as a showcase opponent against Dominick Guinn, only to upset "The Southern Disaster" on national tv. After 16 months of inactivity, Lyakhovich met Lamon Brewster for the WBO heavyweight title. In perhaps the best heavyweight fight of the decade, Lyakhovich outfought Brewster, lifting the WBO title in impressive fashion. What makes his victory over Brewster more impressive is the fact that he had been written off as a journeyman fighter with average talent. Following his puzzling loss to gatekeeper Maurice Harris in 2002, most thought the Belarus native would not have a significant impact on the division. Since that loss, he has been undefeated, going 7-0 and earning himself a stake in the heavyweight division.