AN OCTOBER REBIRTH FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION
Posted on | October 10, 2007 | No Comments
BOXING’S HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION IS BACK!!
By: Patrick McElligott
October may become recognized as the most important month in recent history for the heavyweight division. The Samuel Peter vs Jameel McCline fight was outstanding, and should have been as exciting for the casual sports fan as for boxing enthusiasts.
The undercard of the Peter fight showcased other third-tier heavyweight contenders, who may soon be featured in more significant bouts. Andrew Golota stopped Kevin McBride, and Kali Meehan TKOed DaVarryl Williamson. Both Golota and Meehan deserve to be matched in fights that could move them up the ranks. It may be that they face each other on the undercard of Samuel Peter’s next defense at the Madison Square Garden.
Now let’s look at some other heavyweight battles scheduled for October. As always, things can change quickly, and what is scheduled isn’t always exactly what happens. But, on paper, there are ten more interesting
heavyweight fights planned for the month!
This weekend, in a strange event, Evander Holyfield (42-8-2, with 27 KOs) will challenge Sultan Ibragimov ( 21-0-1, with 17 KOs) in Moscow. Later in the week, I will take a closer look at this fight. At this point, I will say
that of the heavyweights who hold belts, Evander’s best chance of pulling out an upset is against Sultan. Styles make fights.
On the undercard of the HBO Diaz vs Diaz card, there are two interesting fights. In the first, Art Binkowski (16-1-3, with 11 KOs) fights Mike Mallo (18-1, with 11 KOs). Then, in a recently-made match, John Ruiz (41-7-1, with 28 KOs) fights Serguei Lyakovich (23-2, with 14 KOs). Though neither Ruiz nor Lyakovich has fought since suffering losses in November, 2006, the WBA has them ranked #2 and #3 in the heavyweight division. It’s no wonder boxing fans do not have any respect for these commissions.
October 18 has two heavyweight fights scheduled. In Michigan, David Tua is pitted against an opponent “to be announced.” Tua, 49-3-1, with 42 KOs, could be back in the top five of the division by next summer. In NYC, Vinny Maddalone (27-4, with 19 KOs) fights Jason Barrett (9-5, with 4 KOs) in a match of club fighters. Neither will break the division’s upper ranks, but the winner may earn a payday fighting one of the third-tier contenders in early 2008.
October 19 looks interesting. In a rematch, Juan Carlos Gomez (42-1-1, with 35 KOs) fights Oliver McCall (51-8-1, with 36 KOs). Gomez took a decision that was overturned due to a failed post-fight urine test when they first
met. McCall is being kept out of the top level competition for two reasons: first, his melt-down in the Lennox Lewis return match; and second, because he poses a serious risk to any heavyweight today. On the undercard, Sinan Samil Sam (27-4, with 15 KOs) meets Ivica Perkovic (13-8, with 9 KOs).
Showtime will cover the October 19 fight in West Sacramento between Travis Walker (25-0-1, with 19 KOs) versus TJ Wilson (11-1, with 7 KOs). Walker has been asking to fight Samuel Peter, and may be one of Peter’s next opponents.
On the same date, in Miami, JD Chapman (27-0, with 24 KOs) meets Marcos Rhode, who reportedly has 28 KOs in his 33 wins.
Finally, on October 27, in Germany, Chris Byrd (40-3-1, with 21 KOs) meets Alexander Povetkin (13-0, with 10 KOs). Though Chris is no longer near the skill level that once had him at the top of the division, like Holyfield, he
is crafty enough to pose a threat to young contenders, especially those who tend to fight in the classic European style.
It is hard to say what the heavyweight division’s rankings will look like
when November comes around. The top positions are still secure, with
Wladimir Klitschko at #1 and Samuel Peter at #2. But there is some
potentially good competition coming up, and preparing to challenge them.