Heavyweight Division

[diehard]

How much does Michael Buffer make?

https://www.facebook.com/ltdan.hennessey

[diehard]

AJ making 4X the money vs Whyte as Wilder does:

https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/hearn-joshuas-purse-for-whyte-was-4-times-the-amount-wilder-made-in-last-fight/51211

[gothenaki]

I see the WBA has ordered Ortiz to fight Ustinov
http://www.boxingscene.com/luis-ortiz-face-alexander-ustinov-by-june-19-orders-wba--100133

Once Ortiz wins that, he must be in line for a title shot

[diehard]

Why? For an eliminator and the right to fight Chagaev or Wilder. Never heard of forcing a #1 challenger to fight a #7 guy, unless for an eliminator. And if I were Browne, Oquendo, or Briggs, I'd be pissed, since they are ranked higher.

[gothenaki]

(01-09-2016, 01:47 PM)diehard Wrote: Why?  For an eliminator and the right to fight Chagaev or Wilder.  Never heard of forcing a #1 challenger to fight a #7 guy, unless for an eliminator.  And if I were Browne, Oquendo, or Briggs, I'd be pissed, since they are ranked higher.

As it's in the WBA, I would have thought it would have to be the winner of Fury/Klitschko - and that's a fight I'd love to see.

Browne is happy with his shot at Chagaev. Oquendo is injured.
And Briggs? I'd be very surprised if he wanted to fight Ortiz without a championship belt or a big cheque.

[diehard]

You make too much sense, Gothe. So, you're thinking it's an eliminator for the right to fight the Fury/Klit winner?

[gothenaki]

(01-09-2016, 03:41 PM)diehard Wrote: You make too much sense, Gothe.  So, you're thinking it's an eliminator for the right to fight the Fury/Klit winner?

I'm not sure how many more hoops they can make Ortiz jump through as the Interim Champ, so yes.
Ustinov is a perfect tune-up for either of those guys, and like you say, won't be a push-over, but he'll be too slow and easy to hit for Ortiz.

http://www.boxingscene.com/luis-ortiz-start-training-vows-world-title-win-2016--100137

Unless... lol
The winner of Fury/Klit fights the winner of Wilder v Glazkov/Martin for the first truly unified champ in years.
Before you discount it, I can see Wilder not wanting to fight Povetkin, and I can't see anyone wanting to fight Ortiz

Also Fury,Klitschko and Wilder may be looking over their shoulders for the fast approaching Joshua and Parker, and might take the big fights while they can.

[diehard]

I just don't see it. Wilder's last three fights since being champ have been against Molina, Duhoupus, and now Szpilka. Klit will KO Fury and then retire, leaving Fury grasping for a fight. The Martin/Glazkov winner will fight nobody's because Wilder will KO either one of them.

Fury, Wilder, and Martin/Glazkov will avoid AJ or Parker because, except for Wilder, they will get ko'd.

So what I'm left with is Wilder wanting a big fight, but no dance partner.

The alphabets will have to force big fights in order for all the champs to get off their throne and fight meaningful fights.

In my view, the five top fighters in the division RIGHT NOW are Wilder, Povetkin, Ortiz, AJ, and Parker.

[gothenaki]

Povetkin wants Wilder for sure - that's a big fight, and I'm not sure Wilder wants it

My top 5 RIGHT NOW are Fury, Klit, Povetkin, Ortiz and Joshua

Just because Fury made Klit look stupid and there wasn't much action, doesn't mean these guys don't beat everyone else.
They're both big, skilled, experienced guys who understand pugilism.

Obviously I'm a huge Parker fan, but if he had to fight one of those guys TODAY, i'd be a bit worried.
Outside that top 5, I'd only be nervous about Pulev and Wilder.

I'm just not convinced about Wilder. His body-shape is all wrong for a heavyweight with his skinny little legs, and he steps back with his chin up too often.
Stiverne had some great openings, but looked like a guy who was on his way to hospital for re-hydration.
Molina made him do the chicken dance, Duhaupas had his face looking like pizza, and they are average fighters at best.
Someones going to chop him down eventually.

[diehard]

It's all messed up. And I love it! Let's just hope they fight one another.

Fury: I thought he had a chance against Klit, but I didn't think Klit would gift him the fight. I don't rate Fury that highly due to his chin.
Klit: Afraid to throw a punch? Well past his prime now, but he doesn't need to be in his prime to throw punches and KO Fury.
Wilder: Yep, verdict is out on him. Beat a de-hydrated Stiverne, and hasn't fought anyone else in the top 10.
Povetkin: The most battle hardened. Would have maybe beaten Klit if the ref hadn't allowed Klit to hold. Dangerous.
Ortiz: I put him in the same category as Povetkin. Not great, but very tough.
AJ and Parker: The future of the heavyweight division, but let's wait until they fight someone in the top 10.