(Ruslan Chagaev, pictured on left, in between rounds of his bout with Nikolay Valuev) 17.04.07 – By James Slater: We saw an upset in the heavyweight division this past Saturday, yet another one. Is there not one big guy out there that can capture a world title and the defend it consistently? Well, maybe Wladimir Klitschko can. We will see. Still, more than a few fans were starting to worry out loud how Nicolai Valuev, all seven foot two of him, just might do this and break the most famous record in boxing history in the process. Now, however, as a result of southpaw Ruslan Chagaev’s points win at the weekend, all Rocky Marciano’s fans can relax. “The Beast From The East” was a fighter considered by many to have a long reign. Yet now he is just another former champion. So, who are the ten best in the world at heavyweight right now?
1. Wladimir Klitschko. IBF Champ.
Nickname: “Dr. Steel Hammer.” Record: 48-3 (43) Last Fight: Won KO 2 Ray Austin.
2. Samuel Peter.
Nickname: “The Nigerian Nightmare.” Record: 28-1 (22) Last Fight: W 12 James Toney.
3. Ruslan Chagaev. WBA Champ.
Nickname: “The White Tyson.” Record: 23-0-1 (17) Last Fight: W 12 Nicolai Valuev.
4. Shannon Briggs. WBO Champ.
Nickname: “The Cannon.” Record: 48-4-1 (42) Last Fight: Won KO 12 Sergei Liakhovich.
5. Oleg Maskaev. WBC Champ.
Nickname: “The Big O.” Record: 34-5 (26) Last Fight: W 12 Peter Okhello.
6. Nicolai Valuev.
Nickname: “The Beast From The East.” Record: 46-1 (34) 1 No-Contest. Last Fight: L 12 Ruslan Chagaev.
7. James Toney.
Nickname: “Lights Out.” Record: 69-6-3 (43) Last Fight: L 12 Samuel Peter.
8. Sergei Liakhovich.
Nickname: “The White Wolf.” Record: 23-2 (14) Last Fight: KO By 12 Shannon Briggs.
9. John Ruiz.
Nickname: “The Quiet Man.” Record: 41-7-1 (28) Last Fight: L 12 Ruslan Chagaev.
10. Vladimir Virchis.
Nickname: “The Hunter.” Record: 22-1 (19) Last Fight: Won KO 3 Marcus McGee.
(Note: Lamon Brewster, though he will face Wladimir Klitschko in July, is absent from this list due to not having fought in over one year)