Heavyweight may be THE Division in 2014

[Hougigo]

Really? That's a ridiculously long time to develop especially since he has a good amateur pedigree. He's no Denis Boystov! Also, if you hadn't noticed, Hughie seems to be on the fast track to the upper ranks. He's been fighting very frequently (8-0) and I expect him to be fighting decent opponents by mid-to-late 2014. He's stated such and so has his team.

Also, why is Wladimir Klitschko not on the poll? If you're only talking about the new or semi new talent to the scene then you shouldn't have included Povektin.

That's why I like Hughie... dude's very active and making nice steps early in his career.

[kiaba360]

HW will never be THE division to me, but it definitely deserves attention. Haye/Fury, Pulev/Thompson, Wlad/Povetkin and Arreola/Mitchell have all been confirmed. Wilder packs dynamite, Jennings is pretty well-rounded, and Mitchell's bad chin adds tension to his fights. Chisora and Arreola are loud-mouths with fan-friendly styles and are a tough out when they're in shape.

I definitely don't want to see Banks again though.

[Sugar Adam Ali]

I honestly think this is the most entertaining division and most fun to watch.. Also is very deep

1 wlad
2 vitali
3 povetkin
4 haye
5 fury
6 thompson
7 pulev
8 adamek
9 chisora
10 helenius
11 stiverne
12 aerreola
13 wilder
14 tua
15 cunnignham
16 banks
17 mitchell
18 price
19 botsoy
20 charr

plus throw in marco huck and maybe a few other guys...

alot of exciting fights to make.....

Not the greatest fighters, but all would provide excellent action

[Cutthroat]

You can say this kind of stuff about any division.

Floyd has ducked prime opponents and got rocked by an over the hill Mosley and is now fighting a green Alvarez who struggled with Matthew Hatton. Pacquiao is past prime and was put to sleep by Marquez who is also old and is working with a convicted steroid cheat. Guerero is a blown up lightweight who doesn't belong at 147 and Berto is a hypejob. Karass is limited and Malignaggi has lost his legs. Brook is afraid to step up and Maidana isn't as effective at the weight. Broner is a cherrypicker and Bradley lost to bum Provodnikov while Devon Alexander bores everyone to tears and gets gifts wrapped for him at the end of it.


One truth remains however, you can put any middle of the road heavyweight in with someone from the little leagues and man on manlet, the little guys get knocked out cold. The lower divisions were created to give small people a chance, you can move any one of those guys up a couple of divisions and they'll get beat but HW is the real deal, the top shelf, the division by default.

The differences is that those guy are actually talented, Guerrero, Floyd, Pac, Marquez, etc. are all extremely talented fighters.

The only quality fighters are the Klitchkos and they're extremely flawed.

[Mr Randy Watson]

it will definitely be a more competitive division once the klits are gone. I dont see anyone being on top for too long

[Weebler I]

The differences is that those guy are actually talented, Guerrero, Floyd, Pac, Marquez, etc. are all extremely talented fighters.

The only quality fighters are the Klitchkos and they're extremely flawed.

All their perceived talent combined would barely take them past a round with a middle of the road HW, much less an elite like Klitschko. The little leagues are fun to watch but HW is and will always be the real deal.

[soul_survivor]

Really? That's a ridiculously long time to develop especially since he has a good amateur pedigree. He's no Denis Boystov! Also, if you hadn't noticed, Hughie seems to be on the fast track to the upper ranks. He's been fighting very frequently (8-0) and I expect him to be fighting decent opponents by mid-to-late 2014. He's stated such and so has his team.

Also, why is Wladimir Klitschko not on the poll? If you're only talking about the new or semi new talent to the scene then you shouldn't have included Povektin.

6-8 years isn't a ridiculous time frame, especially in the modern heavyweight division. Gone are the days of 20-24 year old champions, most guys now become champion in their mid to late 20s and peak at about 30. I know Hugh is about 18/19 and has a lot to learn, yes he's fighting often but he's fighting guys who are total bums, as is the case with any prospect but no way does he fight a legit threat or a top 50 heavy by mid - 2014. They have to build his rep, they have to make him seem like someone who is a star, the way to do that is feed him some wimps.

The 6-8 year time frame becomes even more relevant when you look at who's the kingpin right now, yes Vitali is on the way out and that WBC belt will be taken by either Haye or fury, you can bet on that. Wlad still has a good 2-3 years left in him, no way does Hugh get brought along in the next 4 years or so to fight Wlad, Haye, Tyson or possibly a Wilder/Jennings/Povetkin level fighter. They'll wait till the belts are disbanded and Wlad is retired then they'll move him to get one of the vacant titles. That's at best, another 5 years from now.

Let's not get carried away by the younger Fury, he looks a talent but his next opponent has lost 50% of his fights. Puts things in perspective.

[soul_survivor]

HW will never be THE division to me, but it definitely deserves attention. Haye/Fury, Pulev/Thompson, Wlad/Povetkin and Arreola/Mitchell have all been confirmed. Wilder packs dynamite, Jennings is pretty well-rounded, and Mitchell's bad chin adds tension to his fights. Chisora and Arreola are loud-mouths with fan-friendly styles and are a tough out when they're in shape.

I definitely don't want to see Banks again though.

Why not? It has produced some of the greatest fighters ever and I'm sure in the years to come, it will again.