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kenyan_cheena · 04-07-2009, 09:39 PM

AMERICAN | PUGILIST

*** Published bi-weekly out of Chicago, Illinois since 1950 ***

Monday 10 July 2006
Volume 57, Edition 14

THE FUTURE IS NOW FOR
THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

Story by Larry Masters

It would be true to say that most of the people who doubted the viability of James Molk's International Boxing League when it was born back in January have since been swayed. But for those who still have their doubts, all you would need to do is observe what the new organisation has done for the previously fractured and frustrating heavyweight division. For the last couple of years the big boys of the sport have somehow managed to turn what should have been a truly exciting period into an absolute snoozefest. With the alphabet champions doing everything possible to avoid squaring off against worthy opponents and top contenders unprepared to risk their undeserved rankings, the situation was like a bunch of warships passing each other on the ocean but never engaging in combat.

The up-and-coming members of the division were no different. Content to feast on a never-ending diet of tomato cans and journeymen, it looked certain that young men such as Jack Johnson, Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis would fatten up their records to where they appeared mighty impressive on paper, inevitably rising to the top of the alphabet rankings without ever being tested. And the sanctioning bodies would have been perfectly content to let it happen 'cause as we all know, there's nothing better than having four different world champions in each weight division. Considering the fact that the status quo would have prevailed, it's extraordinary that so many of the most highly-regarded heavyweights, both young and old, decided to join the IBL.

No doubt, the guidelines Molk and co. outlined to them would have made it completely clear that they'd be in for a much more challenging and difficult career fighting for the IBL, that they'd actually have to earn their world ranking by going up against the best fighters in the division time and again rather than padding their records against also-rans. Despite that, most of the world's premier heavyweights signed on with Molk's band. And the boxing-loving public should be all the more grateful, ecstatic and excited because of it. Just take a look at the four heavyweight tournament cards the league staged during the last week of June. They featured a number of matchups that we'd be lucky to see otherwise, and it's only going to get better as the tournaments progress.

We have to wait until December to find out who wins each of the league's tournaments, but the first series of fight cards have already determined the makeup of the initial top twelve world-ranked competitors in each division. At heavyweight it's a dynamite dozen, to say the least. As you'll see just from looking at the names listed below it's a lineup rich in talent, both experienced and green, one that should have boxing fans salivating with anticipation. Once the tournaments are over, the fun really begins. For those who start at the top of the tree it'll be a constant struggle to stay there. The pressure to perform and emerge victorious each time they step in the ring will be relentless because one loss could see them slip right out of the world championship picture and they'll have to work their backsides off to get back there. It's the type of structure and format fans of the sport have been crying out for, and the IBL has delivered it.

While the division's top contenders are reason enough for excitement I haven't even touched on the plethora of young talent contesting the regional heavyweight tourneys. Fighters such as Romy Alvarez, Sam McVey, Mike Hanson and Cheetah Brown. And let's not forget the international guys, either, such as Germany's Max Schmeling and the hard-hitting New Zealander Neemia Sivivatu. Those fellas will be just as hungry to make it to the top, and others are going to have to make way in order for them to get there. It all adds up to a truly explosive immediate future for the heavyweight division.

***

Heavyweight competitors who will make up the division's initial top twelve IBL world rankings, based on results from the opening series of fight cards

(listed in alphabetical order)

* Sergey Anyukov (Russia, 36-1-1(26)), (former WBA Champion)
* Riddick Bowe (USA, 12-0(9)), (Athens Olympics super-heavyweight silver medallist)
* Andrew Golota (Poland, 28-4(24))
* Terone Haynes (USA, 22-0(18)), (former WBO Champion)
* Ike Ibeabuchi (Nigeria, 27-1-1(24))
* Peter Jackson (Australia, 14-0(9)), (Athens Olympics heavyweight silver medallist)
* Joe Jeannette (USA, 14-1(10))
* Jack Johnson (USA, 14-0(11)), (Athens Olympics heavyweight gold medallist)
* Lennox Lewis (England, 15-0(10)), (Athens Olympics super-heavyweight gold medallist)
* Ken Norton (USA, 29-2-1(23)), (former WBC Champion)
* Simione Paea (Tonga, 16-3-1(13))
* Alexander Zolkin (Russia, 21-4-2(17))

***

04-07-2009, 09:39 PM	#261 (permalink)
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 7,598 Thanks: 81 Thanked 143x in 125 posts	AMERICAN \| PUGILIST * Published bi-weekly out of Chicago, Illinois since 1950 * Monday 10 July 2006 Volume 57, Edition 14 THE FUTURE IS NOW FOR THE HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION Story by Larry Masters It would be true to say that most of the people who doubted the viability of James Molk's International Boxing League when it was born back in January have since been swayed. But for those who still have their doubts, all you would need to do is observe what the new organisation has done for the previously fractured and frustrating heavyweight division. For the last couple of years the big boys of the sport have somehow managed to turn what should have been a truly exciting period into an absolute snoozefest. With the alphabet champions doing everything possible to avoid squaring off against worthy opponents and top contenders unprepared to risk their undeserved rankings, the situation was like a bunch of warships passing each other on the ocean but never engaging in combat. The up-and-coming members of the division were no different. Content to feast on a never-ending diet of tomato cans and journeymen, it looked certain that young men such as Jack Johnson, Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis would fatten up their records to where they appeared mighty impressive on paper, inevitably rising to the top of the alphabet rankings without ever being tested. And the sanctioning bodies would have been perfectly content to let it happen 'cause as we all know, there's nothing better than having four different world champions in each weight division. Considering the fact that the status quo would have prevailed, it's extraordinary that so many of the most highly-regarded heavyweights, both young and old, decided to join the IBL. No doubt, the guidelines Molk and co. outlined to them would have made it completely clear that they'd be in for a much more challenging and difficult career fighting for the IBL, that they'd actually have to earn their world ranking by going up against the best fighters in the division time and again rather than padding their records against also-rans. Despite that, most of the world's premier heavyweights signed on with Molk's band. And the boxing-loving public should be all the more grateful, ecstatic and excited because of it. Just take a look at the four heavyweight tournament cards the league staged during the last week of June. They featured a number of matchups that we'd be lucky to see otherwise, and it's only going to get better as the tournaments progress. We have to wait until December to find out who wins each of the league's tournaments, but the first series of fight cards have already determined the makeup of the initial top twelve world-ranked competitors in each division. At heavyweight it's a dynamite dozen, to say the least. As you'll see just from looking at the names listed below it's a lineup rich in talent, both experienced and green, one that should have boxing fans salivating with anticipation. Once the tournaments are over, the fun really begins. For those who start at the top of the tree it'll be a constant struggle to stay there. The pressure to perform and emerge victorious each time they step in the ring will be relentless because one loss could see them slip right out of the world championship picture and they'll have to work their backsides off to get back there. It's the type of structure and format fans of the sport have been crying out for, and the IBL has delivered it. While the division's top contenders are reason enough for excitement I haven't even touched on the plethora of young talent contesting the regional heavyweight tourneys. Fighters such as Romy Alvarez, Sam McVey, Mike Hanson and Cheetah Brown. And let's not forget the international guys, either, such as Germany's Max Schmeling and the hard-hitting New Zealander Neemia Sivivatu. Those fellas will be just as hungry to make it to the top, and others are going to have to make way in order for them to get there. It all adds up to a truly explosive immediate future for the heavyweight division. * Heavyweight competitors who will make up the division's initial top twelve IBL world rankings, based on results from the opening series of fight cards** (listed in alphabetical order) * Sergey Anyukov (Russia, 36-1-1(26)), (former WBA Champion) * Riddick Bowe (USA, 12-0(9)), (Athens Olympics super-heavyweight silver medallist) * Andrew Golota (Poland, 28-4(24)) * Terone Haynes (USA, 22-0(18)), (former WBO Champion) * Ike Ibeabuchi (Nigeria, 27-1-1(24)) * Peter Jackson (Australia, 14-0(9)), (Athens Olympics heavyweight silver medallist) * Joe Jeannette (USA, 14-1(10)) * Jack Johnson (USA, 14-0(11)), (Athens Olympics heavyweight gold medallist) * Lennox Lewis (England, 15-0(10)), (Athens Olympics super-heavyweight gold medallist) * Ken Norton (USA, 29-2-1(23)), (former WBC Champion) * Simione Paea (Tonga, 16-3-1(13)) * Alexander Zolkin (Russia, 21-4-2(17)) * __________________ The Greatest Prize in Sports (a TBCB Dynasty) The Greatest Prize in Sports: Almanac kenyan_cheena's NBA 2K11 Off Topic Dynasty Major League Baseball: 1990 and Beyond... (an OOTP11 Dynasty)** Last edited by kenyan_cheena; 04-07-2009 at 09:43 PM.