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

[Chipper]

He should give Holyfield a chance, it would be a good fight, and if Holyfield loses he'd finally retire.

[Steelhammer86]

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).

Yes, Holyfield would be the best choice. It would be good for Ruslan because he'd make a lot of money and would become better known. The media would pay attention to a Holyfield title fight, they would ignore a fight with most or all of the other boxers. I doubt whether Holyfield would turn down a title shot now, since that's what he says he wants, and it will be too late for him in a couple of years. A title fight would be an opportunity for a big payday for Evander before he retires.

[Parody]

He should fight Vladimir Virchris, because he got a gift decision against him, Vladimir clearly won that fight.

[Welter_Skelter]

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.

None of the fighters you named.

he should fight either Briggs/Imbriagov winner.. Or Winner of Maskaev/Peter.. but he cant becasue Vitali has that.. or the Winner of Klitschko/Brewster

The word of the day is.. UNIFICATION!!!!!!!

[-Antonio-]

No Calvin Brock in those rankings?

[Steelhammer86]

The word of the day is.. UNIFICATION!!!!!!!

We all want to see unification, but as long as Don King's fighters are the titleholders (Briggs and potential WBC champ Peter), it ain't gonna happen.

That being said, Wlad (or Lamon) vs. Ruslan is a possibility later in the fall, although Ruslan will likely take his voluntary defense first, in late summer or early fall. If Ibragimov beats Briggs, there will almost certainly be a unification match within a year or so.

[Steelhammer86]

No Calvin Brock in those rankings?

That's one thing I don't like about the WBA, they don't rank some of the best heavyweight boxers in their top 15. Calvin Brock and Chris Byrd should be there.

[Derranged_]

Yes, Holyfield would be the best choice. It would be good for Ruslan because he'd make a lot of money and would become better known. The media would pay attention to a Holyfield title fight, they would ignore a fight with most or all of the other boxers. I doubt whether Holyfield would turn down a title shot now, since that's what he says he wants, and it will be too late for him in a couple of years. A title fight would be an opportunity for a big payday for Evander before he retires.

Good post. I picked Holyfield because the fight would get much more publicity and be just as exciting. I think Holyfield has a few good fights left in him and would test Chagaev more so than any of the other fighters. Infact, I think this fight would be very competitive and 'action packed;' here you have a hungry young fighter in Chagaev and a seasoned veteran champion who wants to restore some of his former glory. Plus, I think that Chagaev can make the most money from this possible matchup.

[Steelhammer86]

Chagaev should certainly choose a boxer who won his last fight. Lyakhovich wouldn't be a good choice, and a rematch with Ruiz wouldn't be a good idea either.

[RAESAAD]

I picked Tony Thompson....i think it would be an interesting fight and Thompson deserves a shot.....just as much as say Chagaev did and Briggs did and Maskaev did......need I say more.