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JoeMama
May 24th, 2004, 1:54:14 PM
Last I checked, Ring Magazine broke down the heavyweight division like this...

1. Vitali Klitschko
2. Chris Byrd
3. Corrie Sanders
4. Roy Jones
5. James Toney
6. John Ruiz
7. Wladimir Klitschko
8. Fres Oquendo
9. Hasim Rahman
10. Monte Barrett

It goes without saying; what a weak division.

And a few of these guys recently dropped even further because of embarassing losses. Sanders just retired and Jones' future is uncertain.

So here's what I can't stop thinking...

Mike Tyson, get off your ass!

If this isn't a loud, clear wake-up call for Tyson to make one last run and put some money back in his pocket, I don't know what is. The division would benefit greatly if Tyson made a serious comeback bid.

George Foreman did it at 45.

And the division is way weaker now than it was when Foreman beat Moorer.
Hurls
May 24th, 2004, 3:27:45 PM
Your points about how weak things are, are precisely why Ol' Georgie started working out again recently. I hope he's not serious. But I would like to see Tyson come back. Is he sane enough to prepare?
Henry4MVP
May 24th, 2004, 3:43:49 PM
If Tyson straightens up even a little bit, he's money.
JoeMama
May 24th, 2004, 4:30:53 PM
Tyson is probably going to fight Kevin McBride sometime in July.

Last I saw, a few different cities are vying for the rights to the match. It looks like either St. Louis or Phoenix are the front-runners at this point.

He just signed a contract with his former trainer, Freddie Roach, but you never know with Tyson. Roach didn't even know Tyson's whereabouts the week before the Clifford Ettiene fight; prompting a lot of concern whether or not the fight was going to happen.
Hurls
May 24th, 2004, 5:19:56 PM
and the next former champ to return is.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=1801351
JoeMama
May 24th, 2004, 6:34:18 PM
That's too bad about Evander Holyfield.

He's only won 2 of his last 8 fights. Its time for him to throw in the towel.
mighty peace warrior
May 24th, 2004, 7:13:19 PM
the fact we are even talking about Tyson shows how pathetic this division is.
JoeMama
May 24th, 2004, 7:32:21 PM
Originally posted by mighty peace warrior
the fact we are even talking about Tyson shows how pathetic this division is.

Sad, isn't it?

Mike Tyson is washed up in nearly every facet of his game. He's lost speed, stamina, and cuts very easily; which limits him in long drawn out fights. He's an aged fighter. He still has power but that's about it.

But for some reason, he's still a draw. Just the namesake keeps people interested. Boxing fans want to see him replicate Foreman's push for a belt in the twilight of his career. He's only 37, a far cry from Foreman's comeback at 40+. Its very plausible given the sorry state of the division.

What I'd like to know is who out there represents the future?

Audley Harrison is already 30+ years old and untested.

Domninic Guinn crashed back to reality against Monte Barrett.

Joe Mesi barely survived Monte Barrett and Vassily Jirov.

Chris Byrd was lucky to draw against Andrew Golota and beat Fres Oquendo.

Wladimir Klitschko lacks chin.

David Tua lacks skill.

Hasim Rahman lacks fitness.

John Ruiz is average.

I see Vitali Klitschko dominating this division for a long time. He's better than most give him credit. Good chin, good power, nice array of punches, etc. He could probably edge a lot of fighters in their prime from the 1980's and 1990's. Spinks, Holmes, Bowe, Moorer, and possibly Holyfield simply due to height advantage. Holyfield always struggled against tall fighters.

The darkhorse, in my opinion, is Andrew Golota. I heard he looked very focused and very impressive against Chris Byrd. No funny business or anything. If he's half as dedicated as people say, he can make some noise in the division as well.

That turned into a rant, my bad...
jimmifli
May 24th, 2004, 8:55:26 PM
Did you ever see when Golata was on Conan? AWESOME!

Conan suckerpunched him by playing (and replaying, and replaying and replaying...) the low blow fight. It was hilarious! Golata looked like he was going to hit him.

On another note....

I bet George Foreman could beat everybody in the division except Klitschko.
JoeMama
May 24th, 2004, 11:11:08 PM
Pretty ballsy.

I wouldn't want to mess with Golota.

He's a loose cannon and he looks mean.

http://www.boxingpress.de/fotos/golota.jpg
Henry4MVP
May 25th, 2004, 2:22:03 AM
Originally posted by JoeMama
Pretty ballsy.

I wouldn't want to mess with Golota.

He's a loose cannon and he looks mean.

http://www.boxingpress.de/fotos/golota.jpg

Polish sausage!