Top 30 Heavyweight Ranking: Part One
By Steve Trellert
18.12 - Ranking the Heavyweights is never easy if one attempts some degree of unbiased objectivity. Though the latter should be the goal, one must realize that it is fundamentally impossible as even mathematically based systems have to measure based on some predetermined human based calculation of worth and reward. I accept that subjectivity is a necessity and in fact can enhance results if interpretation uses some sense of balanced reasoning. My interpretation of the rankings is based primarily on factors such as 'name' wins/losses with name fighters being either commonly known contenders or journeyman of some significance. Factors such as head to head results and momentum are also important, as well as a fighters level of activity. Results in the more recent past have more reasonance than those in the more distant past. The more recent, the more relevent. Victories over tomato cans do not register and only benefit in maintaining ones postion, assuming cateris paribus (nothing else changes which of course it always does). The comments below only superficially expain the ranking at best and any detailed justification should be reserved for the message boards, of which I am willing to defend upon question, time permitting. Of course no ratings system is perfect and you may disagree with my results. That is positive as discourse frequently leads to the truth, if there is such a thing in this case. Of final note is the frequent assumption that ratings are based on estimations of talent. This is not true in this, and most, cases. For instance, Ray Mercer is devoid from this list and I think he could still defeat most of those located in the 20's. Nevertheless Ray has not defeated a 'name' fighter since 1996 which implies he is a bit of an unknown quantity in terms of quality. The ratings here are based on my perception of the fighters accomplishments measured from most recent downward to the past. This week we look at fighters ranked from #30 to #21. In all 31 fighters shall be ranked with the top fighter being the designated champion (no surprise there).
#30. Ray Austin
Tie with Top 20 Mount Whitaker gets him marginally on the list. Though the draw can be discounted somewhat by the Goofi Body Balloon, one cannot detract from the heart and determination shown by a fighter given virtually no chance of a positive outcome. Poor performance at unofficial tourney demonstrates continual defensive questions, and defeats against questionable opposition in the past seem to indicate uneven ability and dubious upside.
#29. Jeremy Williams
Return from oblivion raised eyebrows with a first round knockout of David Bostice, which is understandably superior to a decent draw a la Austin. Past indicates fight for Williams is frequently an all or nothing proposition resulting in either total dominance, or being totally dominated. 'Quick Draw' frequently fires blanks when faced with a heavy puncher (brittle chin), or skilled boxer (technical mediocrity), anybody else usually goes out in a coffin. Unfortunately for Williams, 'anybody else' almost never resides in the top 30. A post-Tyson Rhino or a Joe Mesi may be the best options but even that may be a bit much. Talent level seems to reside in limbo between Contenders and Journeymen.
#28. Mo Harris
The perennially unpredictable Harris has garnered himself some momentum by winning the unofficial heavyweight tourney and defeating Liakovitch. Beating up Williams aids in getting him here but less important than recent exploits. Harris should have headlined the third Batman movie as he is a combination of 'the Riddler' and 'Two-Face.' Some nights Mo is a nightmare for his opponent, other nights he creates his own. Whether it is dominating a Jeremy Williams and defeating a near peak David Izon, or getting blown out by Henry Akinwande, the response is always the same: 'will the real Mo Harris please stand up!' Still young enough to make something out of his career beyond the role of spoiler, but inconsistency and a weak chin remain his bete noir and a lock on the door upwards.
#27. Lawrence Clay-Bey
Devastatingly efficient blow out win over the ever unpredictable Sedrick Fields demonstrates how effective a focused Clay-Bey can be. Unfortunately this has been the exception rather than the rule in a career that has never really seemed to get off the ground. Part of this is due to assorted injuries, but an equal portion to questionable desire, or at the very least a lack of focus and a tendency towards periodic laziness in the ring. Technical ability, combination punching and natural talent perhaps worthy of a top 15 ranking, but actual quality results, and even matches, beyond Etienne, never came to fruition. With time running out Clay-Bey seems to be taking a last run by stepping up another level against Charles Shufford. Cley-Bey should be favored, but Shufford's jab can become quite an obstacle as Lamon Brewster found out. Nevertheless a step in the right direction, and a win should result in another step up against a Michael Moorer or Monte Barrett.
#26. Joe Mesi
Dominant recent wins over a shot David Izon, and assorted journeymen, probably still garners more respect than a victory over Fields or Liakovitch. This along with a blemish free record gets Joe here. Of concern is a career on 'the path of least resistance,' which demonstrates a certain insecurity in Mesi's abilities. Milking the Buffalo market before being exposed or simply a wise and cautious progression? Since the latter is excessive and no risk taken as of yet, it seems the former is more likely. Rumors of Michael Grant as next opponent seem silly in the context of the past. Current pace would indicate a Dale Crowe next; ambition would equal a Terrance Lewis, Robert Davis or even Jeremy Williams. Anything beyond would be too large a leap.
#25. Brian Nielson
'No man is an island' you say? Not where Brian Nielson's career is concerned as he continues to play the role of Denmark's Club fighter who instills about as much fear as a Hans Christian Anderson novel. Despite his isolation and tubby appearance, one cannot deny that a few of his results are worthy of respect. Defeating Dale Crowe, Jeremy Williams and Tim Witherspoon make some impression, and despite derision in association with being Mike Tyson's inflatable beating bag, one must admit that he did not wilt like Andrew Golota or Lou Savarese. Lessening activity rate and general low key since keeps him low.
#24. Charles Shufford
Shufford's acting performance as George Foreman in the movie "Ali" was exemplary, it is only unfortunate in facing Wladimir Klitschko that he resembled more of an acting contender rather than a real one in HBO's Boxing After Dark movie 'the decapitation of Charlie.' Nevertheless it must be remembered that Mr.Shufford before that fight jabbed Lamon Brewster to death, and recently defeated the crafty Elicier Castillo. A win over Cley-Bey would catapult him into the top 20.
#23. Attila Levin
Similar to Joe Mesi in that his career is also moving up at a snails pace. Despite an early loss, Levin is ranked higher than Mesi due to a superior win resume. Ross Puritty is probably not much worse than David Izon's current 'petrified forest' routine, and Ray Austin is significantly better than anybody Mesi had for breakfast. Shufford may have superior wins, but he has recently been in a different time zone than his opponent. Levin's postive attribute tends to be his overall competence, his negative attribute tends to be the same and a corresponding lack of anything special beyond his trainer Angelo Dundee. Does he fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee? Hardly, sometimes his movement in the ring looks like he is wearing skis from his homeland. Nevertheless the pattern is upwards, perhaps more improvement is in store.
#22 Frans Botha
The most successful boxing career of the last 5 years may be the White Buffalo if measured in dollars divided by talent. How did he do it? A combination of great management and the size of his battling heart. Whenever he fought anybody in the top ten he gave it his all and went down decisively. Whenever he fought a fighter in the teens he fought courageously and received a draw when many thought he inched those fights out. Do the draws imply he deserves to be in the teens? No, as he could not defeat anybody in the teens and he always lost to the cream. The long awaited match against Corrie Sanders would be a great way to end a career at home in the Battle of South Africa.
#21. Corey 'T-Rex' Sanders
After his glorious war with Andrew Golota, Sanders slipped from view, his own. Then suddenly he returned blown up in weight to over 300 lbs. A write-off career? Wrong! Out of knowhere Sanders pulled off successive surprising wins over Paea Wolfgramm, Terrance Lewis and Oleg Maskaev. Then he met Davarryl Williamson and knocked him down and threw him around like a Raggedy-Anne doll. A fourth win was in the cards until Williamson's life preserver of a right hand took down the big man's dream of the top 15. With the momentum over rumors abound of retirement, but this has not been confirmed. In terms of talent a top 15 fighter Corey never was, but in a short time he accomplished much more in terms of victory than those behind him.
Next week come those ranked #10 to #20.
Any comments regarding this article? Post them on Eastsideboxing or email me at Vancanste@aol.com.
