CAN ANYBODY LEAD LOST DIVISION?
Oakland, CA-Having weathered the terms of several undeserving men that were recognized as World heavyweight champion, its hard to fathom the sports glamour division being in worse shape. Lacking in many departments, Vitali Klitschko was at least a face for the heavyweights. With no champion/captain at the helm, we are left to evaluate guys like Lamon Brewster, Hasim Rahman, James Toney, John Ruiz, Calvin Brock, Samuel Peter, Chris Byrd, and the other fighters that make up the heavyweight division.
RING TALK HEAVYWEIGHT CONTENDER LIST!, Lamon Brewster, 32 years old, 61, 33-2, 29 KOs. Weight: 228 Ω lbs. in last fight on September 28th, two KOs over Luan Krasniqi. Having once had a boxing genius in ex-promoter (convicted embezzler) Harold Smith, he thought Lamon Brewster was the best raw talent he had ever seen. Eight, almost nine, years later Brewster, I believe is the best heavyweight today.
SHOWED LAST FIGHT AT WBO CONVENTION
Having attended the WBO Convention last month, I know they showed Brewsters last two fights.well sort of. In one of the more bizarre things Ive ever witnessed, Brewster knocked Luis Krasniqi down in the closing seconds of the 8th round. Referee Jose H. Rivera, picked up the count. When, he got to nine, he just stopped! Allowing Krasniqi to rise a few ticks later, Rivera directed him to his corner.
KING BLOWS CIRCUIT BREAKERS RINGSIDE
In watching the video, you can see promoter Don King, and hes freaking out! Krasniqi, 29-2-1, (14 KOs), was visibly hurt as he came off the stool. A few seconds later, reluctant to pull the trigger on the hometown guy Krasniqi, referee Jose Rivera finally halted matters, as Krasni had been reduced to boxing rubble. This is why I said Brewster scored two knockouts in one night! When you look at the others, Brewster, although hes only 61, should be recognized as the interim World heavyweight champion.
LIGHTS OUT IS A MAN WITH SOME FIRE!
Call him anything you want, but phony is not something attributed to the #1 ranked Ring Talk heavyweight contender James Toney. Now 37, a champion at 160, 168, 190 lbs., and a WBA heavyweight titleholder for a minute, Lights Out is 69-4-2, (43 KOs). He is listed at 59, well say 510. But, it doesnt matter as Toney can fight either from a crouch, or straight up. Besting Dominick Guinn over 12 the last time out, Toney had, prior to that, beaten the ever-so-exciting John Ruiz.
POSITIVE TEST FOR NANDROLENE A NO-NO!
But, before anybody, other than the guys that laid coinage on Toney, could really celebrate a heavyweight top ten sans John Ruiz, a post fight drug test showed Toney had Nandrolene in his system. A banned steroid, Toney used it to repair a badly damaged shoulder. The New York Commission declared this fight was a no contest, meaning officially, it never really happened. Because of a willingness to fight, and an inept ability to do so, Toney is the #1 ranked Ring Talk contender for champion Lamon Brewster.
DO THINGS ADD UP FOR BANKER TO PROSPER?
There are more than a few folks throwing their money and adulation at the Boxing Banker, Calvin Brock. At 30 years of age, he is 61 Ω, and weighed 218 for his last major bout, a win over Jameel McCline in April. He isnt flashy per se, but Brock gets the job done. At 26-0, with 21 whacks, Brock showed in the McCline win, that he has big stones! I like his resolve, and that his manager is Jim Thomas of Evander Holyfield fame.
SET TO LOCK HORNS WITH TUA IN JANUARY
With a work fight scheduled for this Saturday, against David Bostice (35-9-1, 15 KOs), Brock is sharpening things up for a January 28th Atlantic City clash with ex-contender David Tua, 44-3-1, (38 KOs). After defeating Tua, the Slowin Samoan, Brock will be maybe two fights away from fighting either of the men rated higher than him in the Ring Talk ratings.
ROCK DEDICATED ENOUGH TO WIN BIGGIE?
Having had four scraps with Vitali Klitschko scrapped, Hasim Rahman, comes in at #5 overall. In the sub-headline, I ask, can Rahman win the biggie? He was standing 62 Ω, at 236 lbs. for his last fight, August 13, a win in 12 yawners over Monte Barrett. With his stats of 41-5-1, (33 KOs), Rahman runs hot and cold more than anybody else above 200 lbs. Since besting Lennox Lewis, in April 2001, Rahman was drilled by Lewis in the rematch. A loss to Evander Holyfield and a draw with David Tua, were followed by a loss to Johnny Louise Ruiz, before promoter King began to reconstruct the 33-year old Rahman.
WBC CHAMP HAS BEEN CHUMPED BY #1 RUSKIE!
After a number of safe (see hobo) fighters, Rahman had on paper at least, beaten five guys, before besting Monte Barrett in August. Having been anointed WBC champion, Rahman will next be facing Oleg Maskaev, the guy that in 1990 knocked him into the lap of HBO announcer Jim Lampley. The Russian, is coming off a November 12th win over Sinai Sam.
FOR ROUND ROBIN, BIG BOYS NEED HELP!
Whether or not the best of today face each other may come down to people working together. Dan Goossen, he has Toney, Kathy Duva, represents Brock. Don King promotes both Lamon Brewster and Hasim Rahman, in addition to Johnny Louise/Ruiz, who is off to Europe because he has all but been banned in the United States. DK also has IBF guy Chris Byrd in his stable too! Even though he hasnt lost since climbing in the ring with Wladimir Klitschko many years ago, his sleep inducing ring work is second only in boredom to Louise/Ruiz.
GOING WITH LAMON OVER ANYBODY RIGHT NOW!
Put the Indiana native, Lamon Brewster, in with anybody in the heavyweight division right now, and it seems he would prevail. As for a rematch with Wladimir Klitschko, I would think that Lamon would knock him the puck out, if Wlad would be so stupid as to sign. With the rationale employed by the ratings system of Ring Ragazine, I would expect them to totally disagree with me. That being said, Lamon, dont call him Lamont, is #1!
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Ferandez is an award-winning writer, talk show host, and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments pertaining to this story can be left below.