Top X-soviet heavyweight boxing prospects
Posted on | March 18, 2008 | No Comments
Boxing Press Contributing Writer Adam Zee has submitted the following
article for your review:
Top X-soviet heavyweight prospects
March 2008
My new quarterly Eastern European heavyweight prospects list is out. Change in sports is a constant, yet I can think of no other sport that has changed as much demographically as boxing has during the past few years. The face of professional boxing has been re-shaped since the fall of communism in Europe. Not only do fighters of European origin control the heavyweight division, they also control amateur heavyweight boxing and have the best up and coming prospects.
Two major promoters have emerged in Europe. They are Universum and Sauerland. Each German based promoter is building its own stable of champions and prospects that have left their mark in many of boxing’s weight classes. A few other Russian based promoters are on the horizon as well. Significant heavyweight fights are taking place in Europe. Opportunity in the form of professional contracts is knocking on the doors of many accomplished amateur boxing stars from Europe. Who will go pro and with whom? Stay tuned!
If this is not enough, former WBC / WBO / Ring Magazine heavyweight champion is set to return to the ring. If Vitali Klitschko can come back and win a belt after a 3+ year layoff at age 36+, he will join an exclusive club of champions who have accomplished the same feat.
Currently 8 of the 10 top heavyweights rated by Ring Magazine are X-Soviet fighters. This list has less talent on it then previous lists, but that is only because names like Ibragimov, Chagaev, Valuev, Lyakhovich, and others have graduated by winning world title belts. The Olympics is around the corner. There are several good X-soviet fighters in it.
Enclosed are the updated April 2008 Rankings. My rankings are a mix of professional accomplishments to date, and potential to become a contender based on what each fighter has shown in the ring. A strong and successful amateur background is also taken into consideration. This means a highly accomplished amateur who just turned professional can rate over another prospect that has more fights, but has failed to impress as much as an amateur or professional.
The rules of the prospect list are simple. If a fighter has been a champion, is a currently world belt holder or is 35 years of age or older, I no longer consider him a prospect. With each passing month, it is beginning to look like the Euro prospects are going to have to beat each to advance up the rankings, and fight each other for World title belts. The amount Euro prospects has grown at a rapid pace where there just are not enough trial horses or journeyman around to feed up and coming prospects. The result is many prospects have been matched or will be matched vs each other earlier in their careers.
**The list of Eastern Euro fighters can extend into parts of Asia if the country was ethnic Eastern European or in the old Soviet Block. I also included fighters born in Eastern Europe that are now based elsewhere.**
For a new spin, I will predict which what their careers are headed.
Here are my updated current rankings: Let the debate begin.
1. Alexander Povetkin. 15-0. 11 KO’s. 28 years old. Career path = rapidly ascending.
Amateur background and Scouting Report: Povetkin’s amateur credentials are as good as they get. He was the winner of 13 of the last 14 tournaments which include the super heavyweight champion in the World Amateur and Olympics. His style is best described as a forward moving boxer – puncher. Povetkin has fast hands, rare ability to counter and a high guard slip and duck type of defense. His power is good enough to be classified as a attrition puncher. Povetkin has been moved at a rapid pace as a professional. He really opened his eyes with his sensational 2nd round KO over Richard Bango. Then he impressed again by totally outclassing Friday Ahuyanyna, and stopped former contender Ed Mahone. Povetkin recently took out both Mayfield and Bostice in style. After that, he defeated Donald, Byrd and an undefeated Chambers. While Povetkin still needs to work on things, such as a jab and clinching for the future, I am most impressed with his intangibles. The man is a winner. Povetkin is a real fighter who is not afraid to get hit if that is what it takes for him to out score or out slug the his opponents. I rate Povetkin high based on his track record, what he has shown in the ring as a professional, and potential. Winning a world championship belt for Povetkin can be done in less than 18 fights, though it is unlikely he will defeat Wladimir Klitschko. Povetkin should not only be viewed as one of the best up and coming heavyweights, he should be viewed as one of the best up and coming prospects regardless of weight class.
www.boxrec.com/boxer_disp…_id=042016
2. Vladimir Virchis. 24-1. 20 KO’s. 34 years old. Carrer path = At the crossroads.
Amateur background and scouting report. Information of Virchis amateur background is sketchy. Vitali Klitschko defeated Virchis as an amateur and called him a devastating puncher.
As a professional, Virchis has some things going for him. There is not doubt that Virchis is a devastating puncher, especially with the right hand. His uppercut is very dangerous as well. Virchis once knocked a guy out with his jab…shades of Sonny Liston. Virchis is a very strong super heavyweight. His chin looks to be solid. On the down side Virchis is a bit slow, and can be out boxed. As far as prospects go, Virchis is already tested as he nearly defeated Chagaev in a close fight. Since the Chagaev loss, Virchis has re-bounded with 4 wins in a row. Virchis might be in line for a world title shot. Virchis is the type of fighter who will always have a punchers chance. I tend to think he’s better than Valuev. If you haven’t seen Virchis before he’s got a real presence in the ring and isn’t afraid to get hit. He’ll keep coming at you like a horror movie monster, and if he lands his best, he’s going to win.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
3. Alexander Dimitrenko 27-0. 17 KO’s. 25 years old. Career path = Slowly moving upwards.
Amateur background and scouting report. Dimitrenko won the world jr championships at super heavyweight. He was instantly offered a contract and compared to the Klitschko brothers due to his Ukrainian background and similar size. Dimitrenko is a true super heavyweight who stands 6’7” tall, and owns an impressive 83” reach.
As a professional Dimitrenko has disappointed a tad. He is not a big puncher, but he remains a very big athletic man with decent movement skills and stamina. Dimitrenko looks to have some issues with pressure oriented fighters. Although Dimtirenko was knocked down in a recent fight, it was a hard punch, and Dimitrenko took it well and recovered from it instantly. It is possible that Dimitrenko could evolve into a Henry Akinwande type of heavyweight. He has proven he can deal with adversity in the Hoffman fight. At age 25, Dimitrenko is still in the improvement phase. His coach Fritz Sdunek says he is ready to be the next Klitschko. While this is a reach, Dimitrenko has improved his power, and fluidity in the ring in terms of changing offense to defense and vice versa. Perhaps Dimitrenko will be ready for a top 30 level opponent in 2008.
I think Dimitrenko is good enough to be considered a top 15 heavyweight right now. Indeed Ring Magazine has him in their top ten. The extremely big heavies tend to peak a bit later.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
4. Denis Boytsov. 20-0. 18 KO’s 22 years old. Caerer path = Slowly on the way up.
Amateur background and scouting report. Boytsov was an absolute terror in the amateurs. He won the world jr championships at heavyweight with all KO’s. In fact, some were AB’s, which means the fighter abandoned the match out of fear of injury.
As a professional Boytsov has excited boxing fans around the world with a sting of sensational knockouts. Boytsov is the closest thing to Mike Tyson since….. Mike Tyson. He has extremely fast hands, and power in both mits. Boytsov has a jab, a quick one two and a killer hook to the body or the head. He has quick feet, and lots of confidence. The 22 year old Boytsov rates extremely high on potential. He has the eye of the tiger. It is unlikely that Boytsov can move up in the ranks anytime soon do to his young age, and relatively easy match making. Boystov passed some test recently by going 8 rounds, and scoring a TKO cuts win over a solid 11-1 fighter. Boytsov still has a lot to learn. For whatever reason he has been acting more defensive in the ring as of late. It appears Boystov is ready for his first good journeyman. He will be fighting Robert Hawkins, a man who went 10 rounds with David Tua and Sam Peter. If Boystov blows Hawkins away, he will have passed a test. At age 22, Boystov has more than a decade of boxing ahead of him.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
5. Oleg Platov. 26-1. 22 KO’s. 24 years old. Career path = On the rise!
Amateur background and scouting report. I do not know much about Platov’s amateur back ground . As a professional. Platov has a crowd pleasing wild style of a slugger. Platov can punch, and should have some appeal due to his well muscled build and style. Platov has already avenged his lone loss on points via KO. Platov could be a real dark horse amongst prospects. At 24 years of age, he should be able to smooth off the rough edges on his game. Platov beat Akienwande on points, won a few more fights, then had a wild NC 4 round match with Danny Williams. Platov is managed by Alain Vanckere. Vanckere is a new promoter / manager. Vanckere might decide to roll the dice again. Platov is 1-2 fights wins away from a top 30 ranking. He might never be a champion, but he will be entertaining fringe contender. The type you need to beat to get a top ten ranking.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
6. Aleksander Alekseev. 14-0. 13 Ko’s. 26 years old. Career path = On the way up.
Amateur background and scouting report. Alekseev’s amateur credentials are outstanding. He was European champ, World Military champ and World Amateur champion at heavyweight. In the ring Alekseev is very fast, very skilled, and can punch. He prefers to set up his offense behind a stinging jab, and then can fire the straight right or the hook. The hook in particular has a lot of power in it. Alekseev’s footwork is pretty good as well. The only question on Alekseev is which division he will fight in? Alekseev might opt to stay at cruiserweight. If he does, he will be the best cruiser weight prospect since Evander Holyfield. Alekseev has been weighting in at or a half a pound below the cruiser weight limit, and some of his opponents have been over 200 pounds and fought at heavyweight. So I’m still listing him as a heavyweight prospect. If Alekseev opts to fight at heavyweight, he will need to add about ten pounds.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
7. Taras Bidenko. 25-2. 12 KO’s. 28 years old. Carerr path = On the comeback trail.
Amateur background and scouting report.
Bidenko was a solid amateur for the Ukraine. He is a horse of a different color amongst Eastern Euro fighters. Most Eastern Euro fighters are Punchers, Stand up Boxers or Swarmers. Bidenko is a deluxe boxer with footwork, hand speed, and reflexes. A pure joy to watch, Bidenko loves to throw punches, but doesn’t always fight smart. Bidenko lost to Valuev on points in his 4th professional fight that went 12 rounds! I hear it was close. Bidenko was comfortably ahead on points vs Virchis, until the last round where Virchis big right hand found its mark. Since losing to Virchis, Bidenko has won 11 fights in a row vs some solid joruneyman / fringe contender types. With more seasoning and less of a flashy attitude, Bidenko could very well be undefeated. Tarus is still young enough to come all the way back. Bidenko’s main draw back is lack of power, however youth and experience will be on his side for his next big fight. Bidenko is good enough to get a title fight. Will Valuev or Virchis ever give him a re-match? Will Chagaev fight him? Stay tuned.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
8. Sebastian Koeber. 13-0, 11 Ko’s. 28 years old. Career path = Un the way up
Amateur background and scouting report. Koeber won a few tournaments, and was good enough to win Bronze in major events, such as the World amateur championships and the Olympics. In the ring, the 6’3” 225 pound Kober looks a lot like a smaller version of Wladimir Klitshcko. This man can fight or punch. Some wonder if he has a top level chin. Kober was stopped in two big amateur fights by Povektin and Cammarelle, but he did go the distance on points vs other punchers. It should be noted that Koeber also beat a young Pvoetkin and seasoned Cammarelle on points in the amateurs as well, and both men were world amateur champions. Koeber is read to step up his competition level.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
9. Steffan Kretschmann. 10-0, 9 Ko’s. 27 years old. Career path= On the way up.
Amateur background and scouting report. Much like Kober, Kretschmann won bronze twice in the world Amatuer championships. In the ring the 6’5’ 235 pound southpaw looks imposing. He’s solidly built, and very strong. I think he has a bright future and can at the very least win a regional belt. Kretschmann has some un-tapped potential. If Kretschmann fine tunes his skills a bit, watch out.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
10. Alexander Ustinov 8-0, 8 Ko’s, 31 years of age.
Amatuer background and scouting report. Ustinov is a former K1 heavyweight, with a 19-1 record. Most of his wins were via KO, the loss was on points. As a pro heavyweight, the 6’7” ½ Ustinov has shown heavy hands, some skills, and little fear in the ring. Ustinov debuted at 269 pounds, but ballooned up to 300 pounds. He looks like an american football offensive tackle, but in the ring, he needs to lose 30 pound if he wants to regain some quickness, and later round stamina. I rate Ustinov high based on his K-1 career, and potential. Don’t expect him to jump up in the rating any time soon. Expect him to keep knocking guys out until his management feels he’s ready to move up.
www.boxrec.com/list_bouts…&cat=boxer
Top amateur talent who have medaled in major amateur tournaments that would rate quickly if they turned professional:
Timurziev – Russia…A huge puncher with rare technical skills on offense and defense. Has a jab, punch, moves his head, and can counter punch. Favorite to win gold in the Olympics. Needs to work on his stamina a bit.
Romanchuk- Russia… A tall southpaw who attack his man. Good speed. Good skills. Good power. Good punch out put. How good is he? He holds a 2-1 edge over Solis. Romachuk needs to learn when to box or slug, as he can do both well. Romanchuk is rumored to go pro soon, as he is not going to the Olympics.
Pulev – Bulgaira…A technical boxer with good speed and smarts. Holds a win over Solis, Timurziev and Cammarelle. Average puncher.
Chakhiyev –Russia…Fights angry! Decent skills. Strong, and improving. Won silver at 91k in the last world amateurs.
Glazkov – Ukraine..The 24 year old recently took silver in the world amateurs. The power and size are there. He is the dark horse in the Olympics.