By Geno McGahee

Vitali Klitschko, 39-2, 37 KO’s, the WBC Heavyweight Champion, and younger brother Wladimir, 53-3, 47 KO’s, the WBO/IBO/IBF Champion are the recognized co-champions at this point, even with the WBA Crown belonging to David Haye. Their dominance of the mediocre heavyweight division has placed them at the top of everyone’s heavyweight list and rightfully so. They have taken on the best possible contenders and have made easy work of them, but there are challengers ready to change the face of the heavyweight division.

The Invasion of the Cruiserweights

The best heavyweights of all time were smaller guys. Mike Tyson weighed in the 215 range in his prime, Evander Holyfield at 210, Joe Louis 200, Muhammad Ali 210, Rocky Marciano 185, and Joe Frazier 205. The best heavyweights of all time ranged from 200 to 220 pounds and were not hulking giants. At this time, we have sanctioning bodies considering a “super heavyweight” division again to further confuse the sport, but there is a chance here to set things right by keeping the heavyweight division the be all and end all of boxing and letting these cruisers show that bigger is not necessarily better.

We begin with David “Hayemaker” Haye, 23-1, 21 KO’s. As a cruiserweight, he was a menace, demolishing the competition with ease, and capturing the WBA, WBC, and WBO titles. His charisma and powerful punch made him a fan favorite and when he began to confront the Klitschko brothers, the stage was set for a big time collision and serious defense for Wlad, at the time. Promotional problems would stop the Wlad – Haye bout, but he would forge on and in November of 2009, he would give up 99 pounds to the defending champion Nikolay Valuev, and come away with a majority decision. Although many expected more from Haye, he did win against a very tough opponent that stood seven feet tall and who took a great punch. Valuev held wins over John Ruiz, Larry Donald, Sergei Liakhovich, and Evander Holyfield. Haye showed poise and stuck to a game plan to become one of the few that have moved up in weight to win the heavyweight crown. With his title, charisma, and punch, he will get a crack at one of the Klitschkos in the near future.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: High

Tomasz Adamek, 39-1, 27 KO’s, followed in the footsteps of Haye, realizing that the big money is in the heavyweight division. In 2007, he was a 175 pounder and held the WBC Light Heavyweight Crown. In 2008, he weighed 198 and won the IBF Cruiserweight Title. Last October, he weighed 214 pounds and knocked out Andrew Golota in five rounds, and is slated to take on Jason Estrada in February. Should he get beyond Estrada, he will take on Chris Arreola in an HBO Showcase. Against Golota, he showed that he packs a heavyweight punch, but he also showed some lapses in defense. He should get beyond both Estrada and Arreola, which would put him in line with one of the Klitschkos. Although he doesn’t have the speed of a David Haye, he has a great punch and makes up for it in toughness. He will be in shape and ready to fight and has filled out as a legitimate heavyweight.

Best Chances Against: Vitali.

Threat Level: High

Jean Marc Mormeck, 34-4, 22 KO’s, has made the jump to heavyweight and in his last bout, he defeated fan favorite, Vinny Maddalone by unanimous decision. At 37, the former Cruiserweight Champion’s age may be catching up with him, and the jump to the 200+ division doesn’t seem to have championship gold at the end. He has suffered knockout losses to O’Neil Bell and David Haye, and doesn’t seem to have the punch or durability to overcome either Klitschkos

Best Chances Against: Vitali

Threat Level: Low

The Former Champions

The former champions are always lingering around, eagerly awaiting their chance to regain glory inside the ring. The heavyweight picture still has a few of them awaiting another opportunity. Former Champs regaining titles is not out of the ordinary and within this current group, we have some multiple time titlists. They want to prove that they cannot be dismissed just yet.

Nikolay Valuev, 50-2, 34 KO’s, is one of the most disrespected boxers in the game. He has fought mostly in Germany and has held the WBA Title on two occasions. He stands seven feet tall and comes into the ring weighing over three hundred pounds. Although he does not have an exciting style or big punch (for his size) he is consistent and has been improving fight by fight. He is confident and takes a good punch. His biggest issue going in against either Klitschko would be his speed and openness to the right hands, but his relaxed nature will help him. He is a former champ that could regain gold.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: Medium

John “Quietman” Ruiz, 44-8-1, 30 KO’s, is another disrespected boxer that has taken on the best and has defeated many former and future champions. His puzzling “jab and grab” style and underrated power still make him a threat to either Klitschko, should he be pitted against them. Many boxers have avoided facing him because of the difficult fight that they are sure to have. He is durable and courageous and will do his best to win. He is still a viable opponent.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: Medium

Sam “Nigerian Nightmare” Peter, 33-3, 26 KO’s, held the WBC Title in 2008 with a TKO win over Oleg Maskaev, and with a strong performance against Wladimir Klitschko in 2005, and back to back wins over James Toney, he seemed like the potential future of the division, but a lack of discipline and heart derailed his climb. An embarrassing non-effort against Vitali Klitschko in 2008 cost him his title and he gave an equally uninspired go at Eddie Chambers, resulting in a majority decision defeat. For that fight, he weighed in at a whopping 265 pounds and it showed. In his three comeback fights, he has weighed in the 240 range and destroyed three journeyman. He is now in line for a title shot, and an in shape and focused Nightmare is not out of the picture yet.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: Medium

Oliver “Atomic Bull” McCall, 54-9, 37 KO’s, has won 13 of his last 15 fights, with his only defeat coming to Juan Carlos Gomez by decision. The former WBC Champion is 44 years old and still hopes for another crack at the big time, and with his name value, distinction as one of only two men to ever knock out Lennox Lewis, it may be an attractive keep busy bout for either Klitschko. At 44, he still has the punch and toughness to have the “puncher’s chance” but outside of a lucky punch, wouldn’t stand much of a chance.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: Low

Sultan Ibragimov, 22-1-1, 17 KO’s, held onto the WBO Title in 2007 with a win over Shannon Briggs, and a defense against Evander Holyfield, before going into a unification bout with Wladimir Klitschko in February of 2008. It was a disappointing bout, where Wlad jabbed the entire night and the much smaller Ibragimov couldn’t find a way in. He has been on the shelf for nearly two years with managerial problems, but has said in a recent interview that he plans a return. With a big punch, good boxing skills, and the southpaw stance, he could still stir up the division. He would have to be more aggressive against the Klitschkos, but it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibilities that he could win.

Best Chances Against: Vitali

Threat Level: Medium

The Title Contenders

“Fast” Eddie Chambers, 35-1, 18 KO’s, will get his shot at Wladimir Klitschko in the near future and represents the best American heavyweight in boxing right now. His performance against Alexander Dimitrenko showed just how great he could be. He holds wins over Calvin Brock and Sam Peter, and will be a live dog going into his biggest opportunity. With his speed and accuracy and overall trickiness in the ring, Wlad will have to be very careful. His low KO percentage is deceiving. Chambers can punch.

Best Chances Against: Vitali

Threat Level: High

Alexander Povetkin, 18-0, 13 KO’s, is the only man thus far to defeat Chambers, and has shown amazing improvement after hiring Teddy Atlas to train him. Povetkin is a smaller, stocky heavyweight and now brings a more Americanized approach to the game, which will help him immensely as he goes after the Klitschko brothers. He holds wins over Chris Byrd, Larry Donald, and Chambers, and is in line to face either one of the Klitschkos and may be the most likely to defeat them at this point.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: High

Chris “Nightmare” Arreola, 28-1, 25 KO’s, is a highly regarded heavyweight that HBO has put much focus on, despite his lack of seriousness about the sport. He came in overweight for his title challenge against Vitali Klitschko and then recently came in at an embarrassing 263 pounds in his last fight against Brian Minto. He has good power and throws combinations well enough, but he doesn’t have the heart for the game and comes in out of shape over and over again. He has eaten himself out of the possible title and seems to be doing the same thing with this comeback.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: Medium

Ray “Rainman” Austin, 28-4-4, 18 KO’s, did not do well when he faced Wladimir in 2007, but he has fought his way back with four straight wins, two of which were knockouts of has-beens with name values in Andrew Golota and DaVarryl Williamson. His awkward style and toughness have kept him in the game and he will most likely find himself in a title opportunity sometime in 2010, probably not against Wlad.

Best Chances Against: Vitali

Threat Level: Low

David “Tuaman” Tua, 50-3-1, 43 KO’s, has never reached his potential, but it may be his time. At 37 years of age, he still possesses the punch and chin to make either Klitschko nervous. His last fight against the once defeated Shane Cameron was an example of his power, a first round example. He may be beyond his better years but if somebody stands in front of him, they will be stopped. He takes one heck of a punch and came into his last bout in pretty good shape. If he dedicates himself to boxing, he may just win the title, something that he should have done a long time ago.

Best Chances Against: Wladimir

Threat Level: High

The Klitschkos have some viable challenges out there and we should have some interesting challenges for them coming up in the near future. Can any of the above mentioned heavyweights stop the Klitschko family from dominating boxing? Maybe. There is at least enough challenge out there for the fans to finally get a real heavyweight title fight and not the slow dances that we’ve been getting lately.

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