Eastern Europe is the future of heavyweight boxing.

[Kid Achilles]

Wladimir Klitschko is the most talented heavyweight out there IMO. Oleg Maskaev has a great chance at upsetting Rahman. Nikolay Valuev holds a portion of the title. Sergei Liakhovich proved himself to be a top contender in our division as well as an exciting fighter with champion qualities. Sultan Ibragimov is one of the most promising rising stars of the division and there are many more young bucks like him that would love to get a chance with a top American opponent.

Let's face it, Eastern Europe has become the new mecca for heavyweight boxing. Russians fighters on average are tougher, hungrier, and harder working than the American heavyweights. We see it in MMA and now in boxing. Eastern Europeans are the best big men on the planet, hands down.

[enadeus]

I'm still behind my boy Denis Boytsov as the future heavyweight champion of the world.

[Smashing]

There diffinately is a trend towards eastern europe..and i think you made a great point in the sheer hunger in these guys.

[IwatchBoxing]

Nikolay Valuev (Ruiz wants a rematch)
Wladimir Klitschko
Serguei Lyakhovich (can he last?)

you still got Calvin Brock, Sam Peter, James Toney, Chris Byrd, Fres Oquendo and Hasim Rahman looking for title shots. European fighters differnelty are a force right now...

"Expected to join the mix in a year or two is 2004 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Alexander Povetkin of Russia, who is 6-0 with 5 KOs as a pro" but than hes gonna have to meet our Olympic fighter, who got the better of Jason Estrada...

[enadeus]

Nikolay Valuev (Ruiz wants a rematch)
Wladimir Klitschko
Serguei Lyakhovich (can he last?)

you still got Calvin Brock, Sam Peter, James Toney, Chris Byrd, Fres Oquendo and Hasim Rahman looking for title shots. European fighters differnelty are a force right now...

"Expected to join the mix in a year or two is 2004 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Alexander Povetkin of Russia, who is 6-0 with 5 KOs as a pro" but than hes gonna have to meet our Olympic fighter, who got the better of Jason Estrada...

I personally think that Valuev is a joke and I'm disapointed that he was teh first Russian heavyweight to hold a heavyweight belt.

James Toney is a fat middleweight and should not be fighting, Calvin Brock is not spectacular but does have heart, Sam Peter is fun to watch but he is back to fighting bums after his loss to Wlad, Chris Byrd, Fres Oquendo and Hasim Rahman = big time jokes.

[Talking Turkey]

Well theres been a few Nigerians though the years that have came through, but one way or another they've failed, Cuba of course has a great production line of amatuers, but they never turn pro, or rarely do. It does look like the Eastern Europeans are taking over, but they're basically medium fish in a small pond. It's not because they're so great, it's just because the current American fighters are pretty average, as well as everyone else.

I think there will still be a variety of champions in the coming years, but i do think it's safe to say that a greater proportion of them will be European. A guy like Valuev does little for heavyweight boxing IMO, i think there needs to be good champions who have earned it, regardless of where they're from.

[enadeus]

Here is a list of some up and comers you should look out for:

Sultan Ibragimov (19-0) 16 ko's
Alexander Povetkin (6-0) 5 ko's
Denis Boytsov (13-0) 13 ko's
Vladimir Virchis (20-1) 17 ko's
Ruslan Chagaev (20-0-1) 16 ko's

[Kid Achilles]

Either Sergie Liakhovich or Lamon Brewster would have put a hurting on Valuev IMO. I really do think we saw two of the best heavyweights in the world last night. Brewster doesn't have great skill but his tenacity is UNREAL and his power is exceptional. How many other heavyweights out their are as dangerous as Brewster is until the bell of the last round? Even when exhausted the guy has serious power.

Sergei deserves all the credit in the world for beating that man in a twelve round fight. Most heavyweights out there would lose their early lead as Krasniqi did. It's easy to underrate Brewster because of his lack of defensive skill but his heart, determination, and two fisted assault make him the most dangerous man in the heavyweight ranks over a 12 round stretch.

Looking forward to their rematch, which really does have FOTY written all over it if both men come to fight in the best shape of their lives.

[oldgringo]

its because all of our first rate athletes are playing basketball/football

[Kid Achilles]

Sultan Ibragimov (19-0) 16 ko's
Alexander Povetkin (6-0) 5 ko's
Denis Boytsov (13-0) 13 ko's
Vladimir Virchis (20-1) 17 ko's
Ruslan Chagaev (20-0-1) 16 ko's

I've seen Ibragimov against Whittaker and Al Cole and he can really fight. There is no hype there; he's truly an exciting crowd pleasing fighter who will be a legitimate contender in a few fights.

From what I've seen of Boytsov he has perhaps more potential than any young HW I've seen. Blinding speed and power. I hope he develops well and can one day fight Ibragimov when both have established themselves.