Klitschko out until Fall

[Stickman]

I believe Byrd is on the decline, in his last couple of fights it just seems like he continues to get lucky with the judges.

He's slowed a little, true, and I think he could get seriously hurt if he keeps fighting guys who are so much bigger than he is.....all the more reason to move to cruiser.

[spinksjinx]

Stick-No money is in the division though...Possibly it could attract names...If Toney/Jirov would have stayed possibly other guys will move or come down....Tarver is a possiblity as well as moving up. Jones has always fought an awkward style and relied to much on speed it is to late in his career to adjust...Just like Tyson the blueprint has been laid out...It is a shame Roy has become wasted talent and never been able to shine against top opposition.

[Stickman]

True, right now there's not big money in the division, but you know as well as I do how quick things can change in boxing. And with the recent weight limit increase, it's prime for big activity. If we were to see a few more performances like the Mormeck/Braithwaite fight, I think it would start to shine, big-time. Tell me honestly, which you would prefer:
Watching a pair of big, fat heavyweights slug for 2 rounds before the clinch-fest starts, and the fight gets stopped over a cut caused by a nasty headbut

.....or

Watching a pair of fit, well conditioned true athletes trade back and forth in a highly competetive fight where the outcome is constantly up for grabs?

I know which I'd prefer

I have to admit to a bit of bias, though. I'd just soooo ****ing sick of seeing heavyweights come into he ring, fat as hell, unconditioned, and just not giving a ****. It's a slap in the face of fans, managers, promoters, AND their opponents (provided they haven't been slurping pasta and beer as well). Also, since the weight limit increase, if I were fighting, I'd be a cruiserweight as well (I walk around at about 205, but when I get lean'n'mean, I'm 198), so there's that as well

[snap the jab]

I'm 210-220 when i'm lean and mean (right now i'm about 240), 6 foot 2, really big frame, and also very slow - so i'd be one of those smaller heavyweights who gets hammered on by the Lewises and Klitschkos. If I was a boxer, would it be a better idea for me to cut it down to an unnatrually light 199, and fight as a cruiser, given my lack of speed and my "small heavyweight" size?

Anyway, on the thread topic - it's interesting how the Klitschkos, for all their massive power and raw atheletic talent, are really not the most durable guys. Wlad goes down these days when you tap him, and Vitali is always tearing muscles...

I might be being too hard on Vitali, at least - everyone gets injured, especially at this level of competition. Still, at 33 he doesn't have much time left - better not **** around, once he's recovered.

[spinksjinx]

True, right now there's not big money in the division, but you know as well as I do how quick things can change in boxing. And with the recent weight limit increase, it's prime for big activity. If we were to see a few more performances like the Mormeck/Braithwaite fight, I think it would start to shine, big-time. Tell me honestly, which you would prefer:
Watching a pair of big, fat heavyweights slug for 2 rounds before the clinch-fest starts, and the fight gets stopped over a cut caused by a nasty headbut

.....or

Watching a pair of fit, well conditioned true athletes trade back and forth in a highly competetive fight where the outcome is constantly up for grabs?

I know which I'd prefer

I have to admit to a bit of bias, though. I'd just soooo ****ing sick of seeing heavyweights come into he ring, fat as hell, unconditioned, and just not giving a ****. It's a slap in the face of fans, managers, promoters, AND their opponents (provided they haven't been slurping pasta and beer as well). Also, since the weight limit increase, if I were fighting, I'd be a cruiserweight as well (I walk around at about 205, but when I get lean'n'mean, I'm 198), so there's that as well

True but I have never really been a fan of the heavyweight division ever search for this thread (what is it about these big guys). I have always enjoyed watching fighters at 160 or below and anything above never really sparked my interest.

[Derranged_]

The heavyweight division is getting bleaker by the month. The division's top star, vitali Klitscho is out indefinitely until this freakin fall! Byrd doesn't want to fight anyone and there seems to be no plans for unification of the belts whatsoever!

[spinksjinx]

The heavyweight division is getting bleaker by the month. The division's top star, vitali Klitscho is out indefinitely until this freakin fall! Byrd doesn't want to fight anyone and there seems to be no plans for unification of the belts whatsoever!

Toney vs Ruiz

Winner goes on to fight Byrd or winner of Lamon/Golota

That is our chance at unification and could very well happen with Byrd getting the winner of that fight and then Byrd goes onto fight Vitali or whoever the wbc title holder is.

Mind you if Vitali gets stripped or fights and loses either way he will be fighting a King fighter (Barrett or Hasim) and then King will have all 4 heavyweight belts...*ohh god* boxing is dead haha.

[Derranged_]

Toney vs Ruiz

Winner goes on to fight Byrd or winner of Lamon/Golota

That is our chance at unification and could very well happen with Byrd getting the winner of that fight and then Byrd goes onto fight Vitali or whoever the wbc title holder is.

Mind you if Vitali gets stripped or fights and loses either way he will be fighting a King fighter (Barrett or Hasim) and then King will have all 4 heavyweight belts...*ohh god* boxing is dead haha.

Spinksjinx, I wish I shared your optimism but how far away would a bout between the winner of Golota/Lamon vs Byrd be? I just wish there was some sense of urgency in the division, I mean when was the last time Chris Byrd fought last fall at that ****** "night of heavyweights" card! No wonder why Byrd has no fans, the guy never fights!

[AintGottaClue]

the winner of golota/brewster has to fight the winner of whitaker/kransiqi, so there unify there, wbc title is with vitali so he's out, winner of ruiz/toney gets byrd is the only unification that can happen and i think it will.

[Neuraxis]

the winner of golota/brewster has to fight the winner of whitaker/kransiqi, so there unify there, wbc title is with vitali so he's out, winner of ruiz/toney gets byrd is the only unification that can happen and i think it will.

And any unification bout between the IBF and WBA would not happen until mid next year at the earliest as King's champions are very inactive. Since beating Holyfield in December of 2002, Byrd has defended his belt 3 times. Since beating Rahman in December of 2003, Ruiz has defended his belt 2 times. Sad but true.