The Light Heavyweight division is heating up nicely

Beterbiev ducked Kovalev? They offered him 300k. That is an absolutely huge fight in Montreal or Russia. "The offer was fair."-Yvon Michel

Ukrainian prospect Gvozdyk scored a beautiful 2nd round KO on Mohammedi on saturday (who Kovalev fought before Pascal II and stopped in 3), to really put himself up there even more as potential challenger. Then we have another Ukrainian, Shabranskyy, who had an excellent performance - somewhat above expectation - in his last fight, also in the mix. Not forgetting Beterbiev, Ward, and of course Kovalev...light heavyweight is looking very very strong and there are some excellent fights to be made. Whether any of those guys can beat Kovalev remains to be seen but the quality of challengers are certainly at a high level and these guys are all potential champions. Who do you think is the biggest threat to Kovalev and who has the biggest potential to take over as dominant champ? Or will Kovalev remain king? Discuss :boxing: Adonis Stevenson. period. no one else could beat the crap out of him but Stevenson.

Any news about Bernard? He was trying to get a fight for SMW belt, but looks like that aint happening. So maybe one last fight at LHW? Not sure. But Hop is not really relevant anymore to the division, this is more about the fights that can be made that will decide the future landscape of the division. B-Hop may not even fight again if he doesn't get a worthwhile fight. I mean he isn't getting any younger... :lol1:

Any news about Bernard? He was trying to get a fight for SMW belt, but looks like that aint happening. So maybe one last fight at LHW?

:lol1: Very easily done. His career is completely forgettable. Hopefully he actually fights someone worth mentioning soon.

Lol wow I actually forgot about Adonis... :rofl: :lol1: Very easily done. His career is completely forgettable.

Yep. Let's just hope they stay active, but even the likes of Beterbiev have been awfully quiet(especially after ducking Kovalev). I like how Chickenson barely even gets a mention these days. :lol1: Gvozdyk is good but he needs to use the jab more, because as it is, he jumps in at times without a jab, which reminds me of Sillakh, although Gvozdyk is clearly better but he reminds me of that mold of fighter - athletic but somehow still somewhat stiff and potentially having a fatal flaw. The door is still open for the next big challenger - they still need another year at the least before facing Kovalev - Ward. Chickenson has dropped off so far that I could see a handful of these prospects upsetting him. Lol wow I actually forgot about Adonis... :rofl:

Yep. Let's just hope they stay active, but even the likes of Beterbiev have been awfully quiet(especially after ducking Kovalev). I like how Chickenson barely even gets a mention these days. :lol1: Gvozdyk is good but he needs to use the jab more, because as it is, he jumps in at times without a jab, which reminds me of Sillakh, although Gvozdyk is clearly better but he reminds me of that mold of fighter - athletic but somehow still somewhat stiff and potentially having a fatal flaw. The door is still open for the next big challenger - they still need another year at the least before facing Kovalev - Ward. Chickenson has dropped off so far that I could see a handful of these prospects upsetting him.

bivol and gvozdyk are phenomenal talents. i had high hopes for mekhontsev but he hasn't wowed as a pro

Not bad at all. He seems to be getting moved along at a good pace, there was talk of him fighting Ward a couple months back. I'd actually like to see him fight Ward next before we see Ward vs Kova. Don't think he is quite ready for that but if it is on the table then could be a good option - no real shame in losing to Ward if he does, but either way gives him exposure and a good payday. And a defeat to Ward is highly unlikely to be a crushing one that can end your career like if you run into Kovalev before you are ready.

He was originally a kickboxer with 150+ fights and then around 200 am boxing fights. Not sure about amount of Ws and Ls but I assume he was pretty standout to then be moved forward into the WSB squad. Not bad at all. He seems to be getting moved along at a good pace, there was talk of him fighting Ward a couple months back. I'd actually like to see him fight Ward next before we see Ward vs Kova.

Don't forget about Bad Chad Dawson making a return to LHW

Mekhontsev is my favourite talent at 175 but he's being wasted by that senile prick Arum, he hasn't transitioned into the pros as I would've liked, but his skillset is very good. Gvozdyk is a problem as well. His right hands are straighter than a ruler. I think he will give Kovalev some serious problems, that fight wouldn't be a problem to make. I've only seen Shabranksy against Gonzalez, he looks decent. What's his amateur record like? Can't find much on him. He was originally a kickboxer with 150+ fights and then around 200 am boxing fights. Not sure about amount of Ws and Ls but I assume he was pretty standout to then be moved forward into the WSB squad.

Mekhontsev is my favourite talent at 175 but he's being wasted by that senile prick Arum, he hasn't transitioned into the pros as I would've liked, but his skillset is very good. Gvozdyk is a problem as well. His right hands are straighter than a ruler. I think he will give Kovalev some serious problems, that fight wouldn't be a problem to make. I've only seen Shabranksy against Gonzalez, he looks decent. What's his amateur record like? Can't find much on him.

Gvozdyk seems like a guy that will be heavily ducked. Destroying Mohammedi in 2 rounds will make it harder for him to get fights against the "top" guys. Unfortunately, that is boxing in 2016. Let's hope that isn't the case. Some great fights to be made with him, and he is really IMO the most likely to threaten the top end of the division and become the man.

Gvozdyk seems like a guy that will be heavily ducked. Destroying Mohammedi in 2 rounds will make it harder for him to get fights against the "top" guys. Unfortunately, that is boxing in 2016.