The Heavyweight trying to save boxing

[Toffee]

Since this was posted back in February the Undisputed fight fell through and he's gone straight to another mandatory... this time Usyk.

Is any more evidence needed that he's the only one in the division actually trying to unify the belts and be great?

Every boxing fan says they want to see a single champion in a division. So every boxing fan should be supporting Joshua.

[_Rexy_]

Nothing says "Saving boxing" like NOT dropping your belt to avoid a mandatory.

[_Rexy_]

Riiiiiight, Lewis is the cause of McCall's breakdown

Rahman left no doubt against Lewis in the first fight, knocked him out cold.

Not sure if you know what that means. Lewis left no doubt in the Rahman rematch.

[Dr. Z]

Your opinion doesn't matter, I didn't voice an opinion. You opened with a lie. Let's dive in:

There's already a thread on this forum where I covered the ranking of Wilder's defenses prior to him fighting them. Because the lie Wilder's never fought a top ten is old and all you've added was an age requirement....foolishly. So if you want a detailed ranking for who where look for that because it already exists. For this, all I need is one and you are wrong. So let us focus on Szpilka.

Artur Szpilka still isn't 35 now let alone years ago. He was ranked 11 a full year prior to fighting Wilder. He picked up a string of W's in 2015 to bump him from 11 to 7 by August of 2015. He fights Wilder Jan 2016. By then Carlos Takam had bumped to 7 after his string of W's in 2015 relegating Artur Szpilka, who was 27 years old in 2016, to 8th when he fights WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Not fought any top tens? Wasn't even a good lie.

Ring magazine ratings homey. WBC is crap ratings. How many top ten fighters rated by ring magazine at the time he fought them did Wilder beat? You don't answer that question. Do you even know?

[crimsonfalcon07]

Ring magazine ratings homey. WBC is crap ratings. How many top ten fighters rated by ring magazine at the time he fought them did Wilder beat? You don't answer that question. Do you even know?

This thread was 2 years old. Holy zombie thread, Batman.

Also, it didn't age well at all. I thought it was satire at first before I saw the post dates...

[Dr. Z]

I wonder how history will treat the current top heavyweights?

We've got Wilder who had his fans, but now it's clear his resume was heavily padded and he failed the first time he stepped up. One of the worst long reigning Champions ever seen. And took his first defeat terribly - probably badly enough to end his career.

Fury produced a great win against Klitschko before going off the rails. Came back and produced another great story (against the aforementioned weakest long reigning champion). Hasn't fought since, looks to have stacked on weight again, is now talking the Undisputed fight down.

Then there's Joshua. Heavily disliked on here. But he's spent a career fighting the best available, unified belts, met his mandatories in an attempt to unify the division, always comes physically prepared, took his loss like a true sportsman, made no excuses and avenged it.

I hope Joshua completes his life work and achieves Undisputed. He's the only one who deserves to go down as a great. You don't have to like his style to appreciate his character. You don't have to like his promoter either.

Surely it's time that Joshua was appreciated on here as the one who actually had a go?

All true. Check out my top 15 heavyweight prospects. it is loaded with talent.




Updated Q 2 2023 ratings



There have not been a lot of fights since Q1 2023, but I am adding a new face in the rankings.


1 ) Philp Hrgovic ( Rated inside the top ten by ring magazine ). Age 30

He's big. 6'6'' has great reach 82" and weighs about 245 lbs. He can take a punch. In fact, he took some real zingers from guys who can hit in the amateurs and pro and didn't even have to clinch. Chins are best tested when they are hit by punchers, and how you react to it when it tells you a lot. Good skills, good hand speed, and very good power. Good heart for battle too. Very accurate punching. A good body puncher too. He can in-fight and likes it. Fresh off his victory over Zhang, who would beat most on this list. He was off in that fight. He is ready to graduate from this list as he's now the IBF mandatory. Very likely to be the next champion. I think he'll beat Fury within a year and would TKO Wilder a declining Wilder in short order. A world title belt awaits. He may face John Ruiz. He needs to work on a few things though he is not a finished product yet. Rumor to fight Demsey McKean ( 22-0 ) for the IBF title wich should be an early KO for Hrgovic.. Hunter, Ruiz, and Parker already passed on him.

2 ) Bahkhodir Jalolov Age 28. 6'7" tall with an 81" reach. 250 pounds 12-0, 12 Ko's. . Oh what potential! Jarolov is a big southpaw who uses a punishing left . His straight left is the best in the game. Top end power is perhaps the second best on the list, which says something. He moves extremely well on legs of steel and keeps his range. Not an in-fighter, though. But with his length, power, speed and skills he doesn't have to be. The type of fighter who uses his legs, height and reach for offense and defense. The gold medal winner of the recent Tokyo Olympics is a grade A prospect, which is why I rate him 2nd. He won the world amateur super heavyweight tournament in May 2023 recently. In a year, or less he can be the #1 prospect!

3 ) Sanchez ( Rated inside the top ten by ring magazine ) Age 30

He's fast-handed and can fight well. He is not a knock-out artist, though, his power is average. 6'4" with a 78" reach he's good enough these days, but the so-so chined Pero beat him three times in the amateurs so he's not an elite level boxer, rather he's is good one. Good on defense, which is semi-rare for a heavyweight these days. I don't view his potential as a pro as good as the two fighters below him, but I'm listing him here for now because he has fought some competition.

4) Arslanbeck Makhmudov Age 33. 6'5" 1/2 " 80" reach 260 pounds. 16 -0 15 KO's. Makmudov is a scary-looking dude and a rare puncher. When he hits guys they are immediately hurt, and unable to clinch or move out the way for the most part. Such are the marks of a true puncher regardless of who he is facing. He has the best power in the game. And he's intimidating. Skills are only okay. He owns a sick uppercut. His power is so great that he has more than just a puncher's chance. He is 33 now, so he should be moved quickly.


5 ) Gurgen Hovannisyan Age 23 6'7" 270 pounds 81" reach. 4-0, 4 KO's.

Who's very big, looks like a bouncer, has natural charisma outside the ring , uncanny accuracy in the ring, and fast hand's. Oh he can hit hard too. And in-fight or outfight. And his stamina is good, and man can this guy move well for his size. No, I'm not talking about Grossberger from the movie Stir Crazy. The answer is Gurgen Hovannisyan. A former fat boy who achieved a fair amount in a short time in the amateurs, he has transformed his body and really opened my eyes. You just don't see guys string together combinations fluidly as he does at heavyweight. Deceptively flexible. He has been moved quickly and earns my high ranking based on how he has looked. Get to know him!


6 ) Agit Kabyle. Age 29. 6'3" tall, 235 pounds. Not that big ( by today's standards ) not the fastest, and not that strong, he's your perfect opponent for a title match because he a low risk type. His upside rates lower than most on the list on potential, but he was more accomplished than most. Hence he ranks 6th for now. Other guys below him have more professional upside. He will side down the list in time.. I think.


7 ) Zhan Kossobutskiy 19-0 6'3" tall, 235 pounds estimated reach of 77". 19-0, 18 KOs. Age 33. Not that big, fast and just a solid hitter, Kossobutiy has beaten some good amatuer and professional competition. On wins he should rate higher, but on pro potential I'm placing him here. He doesn't hit as hard the numbers might suggest but he does place his punches well. Fights Jarred Anderson next in July 2023.


8 ) Jared Anderson Age 22 6'4" 1/2 " 78 1/2" reach/ 245 pounds. 13-0 13 Ko's. The best American young Heavyweight in years. He's big, skilled, and can punch. Being moved fairly quickly. The promoters are salivating over him. Unless I miss my guess, he's going somewhere. Lacks big time amatuertuer sucess. Reminds me a bit of Rid**** Bowe. I think he's the best American prospect in a long time. Look for him to move up the prospect list in a year. Lack of defense needs improvement. Fights Kossobutsiky next in July 2023.


9 ) Justis Huni 6'4" 245 estimated reach of 77" 245 pounds. 7-0, 4 Ko's. Age 23 The World Olympic junior champion. This kid is not your typical limited Samon slugger. He is, in fact, a good boxer with average power. He is quick and young. Skilled he can box. He is not likely to go beyond the top 4 due to his power level.


10 ) Vlad Sirenko Age 27 6'3 1/2" estimated reach of 79". This good looking fighter's standard has both fast hands and power. He stepped up to his competition lately and did just fine. In the amateurs, he was stopped twice, and he does not have a good chin. However, he can get favorable marketing based on his offense and good looks. He looks to be sliding down as a prosect as others other contenders impress more than he does.


11 ) Mark Petrovski Age 23 6'1 estimated to reach 76". 215 pounds. The young Petroski recently went pro ( 5-0 4 ko's ) after winning the world super heavyweight amatuer championship. He's a little small for a heavyweight, about 6'1" and 220 pounds, but he can fight and punch. And he's got a good chin and heart. He has a moving/unloading style when he gets inside. He's got quick and accurate hands. Not one to take a step back. He has the right style for his size, but I wonder about his upper potential as a pro vs. the best big men who are all skilled super heavyweights that feature natural height, range, and power these days. Appears to be fast tracked with good match making, a sign he is going somewhere.


12 ) Frazier Clake 5-0, 5 Ko's 6'6 " 270 pounds. Estimated to Areach 80 " 31 year old. He beat quality competition as an amateur. He was only stopped once in 93 fights and that one was by Jalolov. He's big, he can box and he can take a punch. This man is going places.


13) Richard Torrez jr. 5-0 5 Ko's. 6'2" 220 pounds. The silver medalists in the Tokyo Olympic games flashed quick hands and good power as a professional. A high IQ fighter for sure and one with an aggressive style. There is something there. Fairly impressive in his last outing.


14 ) Arslan Yallyev . 14-0, 9 Ko's. 6'5'' 245 lbs with an estimated reach of 80" This young Russian big man has been making some noise lately. There must be a factory for these big easten europeans somewhere. Not a ture power hitter though.


15 ) Oleksandr Zakhozhy. Age 29, 6'9" 17-0 13 ko's. The big man has rolled over some of the usual suspects, either knocking them out or easily out-pointing them.




Amatuer stand out: Svetoslav Teterin. This thick Russian fighter is built like a bear, not a body builder. The young man features unusually fast hands for his build, good power and a confronting type of style. Likely has a good chin based on his sturdy build, never being stopped and is tough to move around when hit. He has not gone pro yet. If you think I missed anyone you can nominate him here.


- Dr. Z

A man who has an eye on the heavyweight talent.

[Fanofreason]

Joshua fighting the best available has ducked Wilder and Fury his whole career. Wake up

[Toffee]

This thread was 2 years old. Holy zombie thread, Batman.

Also, it didn't age well at all. I thought it was satire at first before I saw the post dates...

I think it's aged very well.

Joshua continued to pursue Undisputed and took the fight with Usyk.

Fury dodged the opportunity to fight for Undisputed.

The thread wasn't about who anyone thought was the best fighter. It was about who was the one actually trying to do the sporting things that fans say they want.

And the evidence since this thread was posted (and before) continues to provide the same answer. The last year has been particularly conclusive.

Joshua was the only one actually trying to unify.

[PRINCEKOOL]

Joshua fighting the best available has ducked Wilder and Fury his whole career. Wake up

Fury & Wilder both fought each other, to avoid Anthony Joshua pre Ruiz I.

Joshua has fought and beat Kiltschko, and he has fought Usyk twice.

Joshua is also on a current trajectory to fight Deontay Wilder.

So? In all honesty the thread starter is correct. Joshua has been the only Heavyweight since Kiltschko to take on all comers.

Joshua fought his mandatory opponents, and if there was no mandatory? He would then fight the next available World level fighter.

Tyson Fury definitely as a Champion, has not used the same conduct 'Wilder for me was not a bad Champion, I rate Wilder's reign higher than Fury's to date'.

Tyson Fury is the WBC Heavyweight Champion, and his last fight was a European level fight against a semi-retired Derek Chisora.

Fury outside of Kiltschko & Wilder has predominately fought at domestic to high end European level.

Note: You don't have to rate Anthony Joshua as the best Heavyweight 'Joshua on Merritt is not the best Heavyweight in the game right now. I personally rate Tyson Fury as number 1, because he has the two best wins on his resume in terms of historical magnitude'. But no honest objective boxing fan can deny Joshua's conduct as a fighter and Champion 'Joshua has gave it a good go, adhered to the tenants and requirements which came with being a Champion'.

Joshua was advised not to fight Usyk for the second time 'Many pundits and former fighters were predicting that he was going to be beaten up and stopped'. Joshua still made the rematch with Usyk, and produced a better performance than his first fight.

Nobody can really deny Joshua's effort in the game etc.