Who should Ruslan Chagaev fight in his first defense of the WBA title?

[Steelhammer86]

As far as I know, Chagaev has to choose someone ranked by the WBA for his first voluntary defense of the WBA title. Some of the boxers in the poll have other fights coming up, but none are scheduled after late June, so they all should be available to face Ruslan by August or later.

[kayjay]

WBA Rankings:

. RUSLAN CHAGAEV (OC) UZB
2. SULTAN IBRAGIMOV RUS
3. SERGUEI LIAKHOVICH BEL
4. JOHN RUIZ USA
5. DAVARYLL WILLIAMSON USA
6. WLADIMIR VIRCHIS (EBU) UKR
7. MIKE MOLLO (LAC) USA
8. TARAS *****KO (WBA I/C) UKR
9. ALEXANDER DIMITRENKO UKR
10. HASIM RAHMAN USA
11. KALI MEEHAN (PABA) AUS
12. TONY THOMPSON USA
13. JEAN FRANCOIS BERGERON (NABA) CAN
14. EVANDER HOLYFIELD USA
15. TIMO HOFFMANN GER

[Katz]

its time to unify titles in the heavyweight division....

[kayjay]

He's already fought Ruiz, Valuev, and Virchis (I think, didn't see it myself).

Liakovich might not want it now. Maybe Dimitrenko, another taller guy Chagaev should be able to decision?

I think he could knock out Rahman for good money, but the Rock probably doesn't want it either.

[The Wire]

its time to unify titles in the heavyweight division....

Absolutely. But if that doesnt happen I think a fight with Holyfield might happen. He's a big name, is on a bit of a run and is in the top 15. I kinda hope this doesnt happen, but with the mediocrity of the division at the minute the funny thing is that this wouldnt be as bad fight as it perhaps should be, if you know what I mean

[kayjay]

Absolutely. But if that doesnt happen I think a fight with Holyfield might happen. He's a big name, is on a bit of a run and is in the top 15. I kinda hope this doesnt happen, but with the mediocrity of the division at the minute the funny thing is that this wouldnt be as bad fight as it perhaps should be, if you know what I mean

New blood! I'd rather see Dimitrenko or *****ko get a big fight.

[The Wire]

New blood! I'd rather see Dimitrenko or *****ko get a big fight.

Yeah but I'd also quite like to see Chagaev make some money and Holyfield maybe finally give up the ghost.

[Katz]

Absolutely. But if that doesnt happen I think a fight with Holyfield might happen. He's a big name, is on a bit of a run and is in the top 15. I kinda hope this doesnt happen, but with the mediocrity of the division at the minute the funny thing is that this wouldnt be as bad fight as it perhaps should be, if you know what I mean

Holyfield should retire now... he has nothing to prove.. he already cemented his legacy by beating Tyson twice...

RUSLAN CHAGAEV could fight the winner of Briggs - Ibragimov... Heavyweight division will be alive again if there is unification fights.

[kayjay]

Holyfield should retire now... he has nothing to prove.. he already cemented his legacy by beating Tyson twice...

RUSLAN CHAGAEV could fight the winner of Briggs - Ibragimov... Heavyweight division will be alive again if there is unification fights.

He'd be a heavy favorite against either, though a Briggs-Chagaev fight would be a snooze fest.

[squealpiggy]

My vote goes to Holyfield. It'd be nice for Chagaev to make a few dollars before trying to unify, and the other big money draws stunk up the joint with their recent fights (Rahman, Lyakhovich).