The way Wladimir tells it, the heavyweight division he and his brother so thoroughly dominate is not bereft of talent, and that there are a number of good up-and-coming fighters out there. Post-fight last night in Switzerland, “Dr. Steel Hammer” mentioned guys like Chris Arreola, Seth Mitchell and Tyson Fury as possible future challengers for him. At least if the all-conquering 36-year-old fought one of those guys it wouldn’t be a case of another fighter being recycled for a pointless rematch (although Arreola has already been in with big brother Vitali, being retired on his stool after ten tough rounds)..
But which of the three names listed above would be ready to challenge Wladimir this year? Fury and Mitchell, by their own admission, need more time before feeling ready to step in with the best heavyweight on the planet, so that effectively rules theM out until next summer at the earliest. So that leaves the always-exciting Mexican/American. Wladimir has spoken of his desire to fight once again in America, and he has mentioned Arreola’s name as his U.S challenger. There has been talk of a Wladimir fight at Madison Square Garden, and maybe this is what we will get next.
Arreola pulled out of a June 23rd date with Mike Mollo due to an arm injury, but he should be healthy and in fighting shape quite soon. And as far as being a recognisable name, a fighter who is ranked high enough to be able to fight Wladimir and as far as being a sellable opponent, Arreola is probably the best of the bunch right now. Kubrat Pulev would possibly give Wladimir a hard (ish) fight, and Russian banger Magomed Abdusalamov would have a real puncher’s chance (yet, like Fury and Mitchell, he needs more experience), also, maybe, just maybe, Wladimir will look Dereck Chisora’s way if “Del Boy” beats David Haye on Saturday (there is no chance of a Klitschko-Haye II, regardless of who Haye defeats from here on in – Wladimir has made that quite clear).
Looking down the rankings, there are precious few other names out there: Robert Helenius (who was “exposed” by Chisora) would maybe prove an interesting challenger for Wladimir, and maybe next year David Price – but that’s about it. Nobody wants to see Wladimir- Tomasz Adamek or Wlad-Eddie Chambers II, while Denis Boystov and Marius Wach have a lot more work to do before they can call themselves a threat to Klitschko.
It’s a pretty thin list of worthy heavyweight title challengers, that’s for sure. Big brother Vitali may call it a day after he’s flattened Manuel Charr, leaving Wladimir to further clean up an already spotless-looking division.
It could be Arreola next for Wladimir, and “The Nightmare” will at least make the fight as exciting as he can. The way he’s going, however, Wladimir, 58-3(51) could reign without pain for another four or five years!