Boxing Brief: Chagaev marches forward
By JE Grant
One heavyweight boxing clash that will go into the books with little fanfare in the U.S. is the Ruslan Chagaev – Vladimir Virchis match that took place in Hamburg, Germany March 11th.
Chagaev, 20-0-1 (16 KOs), took a majority 12-round decision from the previously undefeated Virchis, 20-1 (17 KOs). More importantly the 27 year-old Uzbeki native Chagaev took a significant step forward in his development.
Virchis, from Ukraine, brought size, 6’4”, 240-plus pounds, and a recent win against the capable journeyman, England’s Michael Sprott.
It will prove interesting to see if the 230-plus pound Chagaev will continue on the path of fighting increasingly capable boxing luminaries in the heavyweight division (if they exist) in the coming months. His record to date includes a group largely made up of American also-rans --- but a group who fight in the style that he will see on the elite level of the sport.
Most of us in the U.S. did not get a chance to see the bout (yet – the Internet offers at least the possibility of catching a glimpse at some later date). We suspect that soon enough we’ll see HBO or Showtime knocking on his door.
One heavyweight boxing clash that will go into the books with little fanfare in the U.S. is the Ruslan Chagaev – Vladimir Virchis match that took place in Hamburg, Germany March 11th.
Chagaev, 20-0-1 (16 KOs), took a majority 12-round decision from the previously undefeated Virchis, 20-1 (17 KOs). More importantly the 27 year-old Uzbeki native Chagaev took a significant step forward in his development.
Virchis, from Ukraine, brought size, 6’4”, 240-plus pounds, and a recent win against the capable journeyman, England’s Michael Sprott.
It will prove interesting to see if the 230-plus pound Chagaev will continue on the path of fighting increasingly capable boxing luminaries in the heavyweight division (if they exist) in the coming months. His record to date includes a group largely made up of American also-rans --- but a group who fight in the style that he will see on the elite level of the sport.
Most of us in the U.S. did not get a chance to see the bout (yet – the Internet offers at least the possibility of catching a glimpse at some later date). We suspect that soon enough we’ll see HBO or Showtime knocking on his door.
posted by JE Boxing at Saturday, March 11, 2006
16 Comments:
You guys in the states should be worried that heavyweight dominance is slipping away from your shores.
Spot-on Orltroy.I'm just glad that things are looking somewhat bright for 2007 and 2008.My concerns about the lack of young American hvy talent are more related to the following;'The more the merrier',and my geniune concerns with the state of American Boxing and boxing in general.
But can guys like Chagaev and Valuev and so on really fight? That is the million dollar question.
Well 'Big John'...*Chuckle* We better hope they can!(i.e.They are about are only hope(s) for the future hvy's! Peace...
P.S-There are many other than the two you mentioned John.Boytsov,Dimentrinko,Greenberg,Povetkin,Ibragimov,etc.I'm 'cautiously optimistic'...:-)
just european fighting to get turned around by USA fighters soon
"Ray Gordon Reid"??? (LOL)
Cruiser -- I have no idea what he means to say.
JE-I'm going out on a bit of a limb here,but there MAY be a future promising American hvy in a young kid named Aarron Williams.Aarron is currently 6-0 w/5ko's and a 6'2" 200-pound cruiserweight,but there is virtually no doubt that he will eventually be a hvy.He is originally from Ohio,and now lives in Vegas.He had a HIGHLY decorated amateur career with well over 100 fights.I've never seen him,but have heard many good things about him...(???)
P.S-A possible EXCITING future hvy may be cruiser David Haye from London.But he still has something to prove at 200.lbs.
BTW-A Chagaev-Ibragimov fight would be very interesting JE.Sultan is very fun to watch!(Have you seen him JE? If not,I can send you the fight he had with Whitaker and some Boytsov clips.)
THIS JUST IN: It looks like Calvin 'Doppel' Brock vs. 'Tickle Me' Timor Ibragimov in a matchup of undefeated hvy's late this spring (June I believe) What is the low-down on Timor Orltroy? (If he doesn't know,NOBODY well.At least not in America.) The only thing I know is that he is the brother or cousin of Sultan,is a former Olympian,and seems to have a bit less 'pop' than his namesake relative.Hit us with the 411 and prediction Troy...:-)
Interesting. There will be many more East vs. West matchups coming I suspect.
Have you actually seen Chazz Witherspoon or Eddie Chambers JE? (I have not.)As for Malik Scott--good size,good skills,but very average power.And unless you are a superb technician,lightning quick,a slippery 'cutie',or an absolute warrior like Holyfield,that usually doesn't cut it in the hvy division.And Scott is none of the above.I also wonder about his 'mindset' a bit.
Interesting stuff Orltroy.60% ko percentage is actually a bit better than I thought in that regard as well.Should be interesting.Brock better come ready and about 10 or 15.lbs lighter than he did for his last fight.(See,I told you my boy Orltroy would pull through here! lol.)
BTW-Thanks for verifying that they are COUSINS. :-)
Tell me more about this Eddie Chambers dude. I haven't heard of him before.
Malik Scott hasn't shown much power. That could hurt him down the road.
Yep JE (Refer to my comments above) I see true contender-potential in Scott,but not true(legit/unified) world champ potential.
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