IF (and that is a BIG IF) Arreola pulls off the upset and shocks the world (even though im pulling for ma dawg I know it would be a massive upset) and actually wins the HW world title....who do you want to see him fight next??? out of the top 10???
1. Wladimir Klitschko (53-3)
Klitschko has been the dominant heavyweight of the past few years and has two mandatory defenses to deal with because he holds two alphabet titles. One is Russian Alexander Povetkin and the other is American Eddie Chambers. It looks as though Chambers will get first crack in December, likely in Germany.
Next: TBA.
2. Vitali Klitschko (37-2)
With David Haye having run out on him, Klitschko and his team didn't miss a beat. Instead of facing the former cruiserweight champion in Germany on Sept. 12 on HBO, he'll instead face Cristobal Arreola two weeks later at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on HBO. Should be fun while it lasts.
Next: Sept. 26 vs. Arreola.
3. Alexander Povetkin (17-0)
The 2004 Olympic gold medalist and one of Wladimir Klitschko's mandatory challenger has hired ESPN's own Teddy Atlas to train him. Povetkin will relocate to the United States and is expected to fight this fall while awaiting a mandatory shot.
Next: TBA.
4. Eddie Chambers (35-1)
Chambers went to Germany and dismantled unbeaten but untested Alexander Dimitrenko for an impressive victory July 4. Chambers, who scored a clean knockdown in the 10th round against a much bigger man, secured a mandatory shot against Wladimir Klitschko, which could come in December.
Next: TBA.
5. Cristobal Arreola (27-0)
With Haye bailing on a fight with Vitali Klitschko, Arreola had the title bout fall in his lap. Arreola is from Southern California and should have strong fan support at the Staples Center.
Next: Sept. 26 vs. Klitschko.
6. Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1)
The rancid WBA finally stripped Chagaev of the ridiculous "champion in recess" title, which made sense since Chagaev was destroyed by Wladimir Klitschko on June 20. What made no sense, however, is that the WBA also insanely kept Chagaev as its No. 1 contender. Anyone else want to throw up?
Next: TBA.
7. Nikolai Valuev (50-1)
Valuev will defend his title against Haye, who gets an easier fight with the lumbering Valuev than he would have had he kept his word and signed a deal he had to challenge Vitali Klitschko for his version of the title.
Next: Nov. 7 vs. Haye.
8. Samuel Peter (31-3)
The former titleholder shook off a two-fight losing streak by easily blowing out journeyman Marcus McGee via third-round knockout on July 25, in his first fight since signing with Top Rank. His second will come on Top Rank's next "Latin Fury" undercard.
Next: Sept. 12 vs. TBA.
9. Oleg Maskaev (36-6)
The former titlist lost an arbitration case that allowed Vitali Klitschko to move on to an optional defense rather than making him fight a mandatory against the wholly undeserving Maskaev, whose schedule is up in the air now that an eliminator with Arreola is unlikely.
Next: TBA.
10. John Ruiz (43-8-1)
Ruiz is the mandatory challenger for Valuev, and his side is angry that the WBA approved Valuev's bout with Haye. The Ruiz camp may go to court to have Ruiz's rights upheld. Can't blame them, although it should shock nobody that the WBA would do something a bit down and dirty.
Next: TBA.
1. Wladimir Klitschko (53-3)
Klitschko has been the dominant heavyweight of the past few years and has two mandatory defenses to deal with because he holds two alphabet titles. One is Russian Alexander Povetkin and the other is American Eddie Chambers. It looks as though Chambers will get first crack in December, likely in Germany.
Next: TBA.
2. Vitali Klitschko (37-2)
With David Haye having run out on him, Klitschko and his team didn't miss a beat. Instead of facing the former cruiserweight champion in Germany on Sept. 12 on HBO, he'll instead face Cristobal Arreola two weeks later at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on HBO. Should be fun while it lasts.
Next: Sept. 26 vs. Arreola.
3. Alexander Povetkin (17-0)
The 2004 Olympic gold medalist and one of Wladimir Klitschko's mandatory challenger has hired ESPN's own Teddy Atlas to train him. Povetkin will relocate to the United States and is expected to fight this fall while awaiting a mandatory shot.
Next: TBA.
4. Eddie Chambers (35-1)
Chambers went to Germany and dismantled unbeaten but untested Alexander Dimitrenko for an impressive victory July 4. Chambers, who scored a clean knockdown in the 10th round against a much bigger man, secured a mandatory shot against Wladimir Klitschko, which could come in December.
Next: TBA.
5. Cristobal Arreola (27-0)
With Haye bailing on a fight with Vitali Klitschko, Arreola had the title bout fall in his lap. Arreola is from Southern California and should have strong fan support at the Staples Center.
Next: Sept. 26 vs. Klitschko.
6. Ruslan Chagaev (25-1-1)
The rancid WBA finally stripped Chagaev of the ridiculous "champion in recess" title, which made sense since Chagaev was destroyed by Wladimir Klitschko on June 20. What made no sense, however, is that the WBA also insanely kept Chagaev as its No. 1 contender. Anyone else want to throw up?
Next: TBA.
7. Nikolai Valuev (50-1)
Valuev will defend his title against Haye, who gets an easier fight with the lumbering Valuev than he would have had he kept his word and signed a deal he had to challenge Vitali Klitschko for his version of the title.
Next: Nov. 7 vs. Haye.
8. Samuel Peter (31-3)
The former titleholder shook off a two-fight losing streak by easily blowing out journeyman Marcus McGee via third-round knockout on July 25, in his first fight since signing with Top Rank. His second will come on Top Rank's next "Latin Fury" undercard.
Next: Sept. 12 vs. TBA.
9. Oleg Maskaev (36-6)
The former titlist lost an arbitration case that allowed Vitali Klitschko to move on to an optional defense rather than making him fight a mandatory against the wholly undeserving Maskaev, whose schedule is up in the air now that an eliminator with Arreola is unlikely.
Next: TBA.
10. John Ruiz (43-8-1)
Ruiz is the mandatory challenger for Valuev, and his side is angry that the WBA approved Valuev's bout with Haye. The Ruiz camp may go to court to have Ruiz's rights upheld. Can't blame them, although it should shock nobody that the WBA would do something a bit down and dirty.
Next: TBA.
Comment