World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Byrd.38-2-1, (20 KOs) The Flint, MI fighter defeated Vitali Klitschkoin April of 2000. Nuff said. No? Heres more, he beat a 233 lb. (slim) DavidTua, soundly defeated aged Evander Holyfield,squeaked by Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota, as well as giganticheavyweight Jameel McCline. Chris Byrd is the most fearedheavyweight fighter since Mike Tyson!, World Heavyweight Champion: Chris Byrd.38-2-1, (20 KOs) The Flint, MI fighter defeated Vitali Klitschkoin April of 2000. Nuff said. No? Heres more, he beat a 233 lb. (slim) DavidTua, soundly defeated aged Evander Holyfield,squeaked by Fres Oquendo, Andrew Golota, as well as giganticheavyweight Jameel McCline. Chris Byrd is the most fearedheavyweight fighter since Mike Tyson!
#1. James "Lights Out" Toney: 68-4-2, (43 KOs)-With his smack down of tough-but-unskilled Johnny "Louise"Ruiz, Toney is unofficially WBAChamp as of this writing.
#2. Vitali Klitschko: 35-2, (24 KOs)Losing to aged Lennox Lewis doesnot a linear champ make. Wins over the tough-as-doughnuts CorrieSanders, blubbery Johnny Louise victim KirkJohnson, and 61, 270-lb. DannyWilliams, this to some may show championshippotential, but pale in comparison to Chris Byrds resume.
#3. Lamon Brewster: 32-2, (28 KOs)Losses to Charles Shufford and Cliff"The Black Rhino" Etienne slightlyeclipse wins over Wladimir Klitschko, Kali Meehan, and Andrew Golota.
#4: Johnny "Louise" Ruiz:41-5-1, (28 KOs) First, we must credit Lennox Lewis (or was it Pedro?) for creating the infamous "Louise"nickname. Second, we must credit Johnny for his heart, toughness and focus.Having earned the scorn of boxing fans worldwide, he battles on, and is now atwo-time heavyweight titleholder.
#5: Monte Barrett: 31-3, (17 KOs) Sincehis losses to Mount Whitaker and WladimirKlitschko, Monte has made quite a comeback. Hisloss close to Joe Mesi takes alittle luster off his resume, as he had "Baby Joe" in deep trouble and could have easily walked away thewinner.
#6. Samuel Peter: 24-0, (21 KOs) No bignames on Samuels record, but in todays heavyweight division thats not aprerequisite for a title shot. Sloppy technique not
withstanding, Peter fights angry and enjoys hurting hisopponents.
#7. Calvin Brock: 26-0, (20 KOs) Theresquite a drop-off after #6, and the ordinary Brock gets the nod here due to winover legit top five contender Jameel McCline.
#8. Luan Krasniqui: 28-1-1, (14 KOs)Luans) Thesize of the fight in this big dog is of Chihuahua proportions, and it bogglesthe mind that this giant of a man is hesitant to throw punches at guys, who arefor the most part much smaller than he.
#10. Hasim Rahman: 40-5-1, (33 KOs)Rahman has been KOd cold on more than one occasion, and as a result is alwaysone punch away from losing. Hasim is slow, lacks infighting skills and gets hita whole lot, and beating journeyman Kali Meehan doesnt make him the #1 contender.
Gabe McIntosh
Contact the writer [email protected]