04.10.05 – Compiled by Chris Ireland:
1. Jean Marc Mormeck – Mormeck became the best Cruiserweight in the world in April with his victory over Wayne Braithwaite. Mormeck was so impressive that he turned some heads to towards the division for the first time in years. He must be more active to capitalize, however. He has no bout scheduled at this time.
2. Steve Cunningham – It’s been a solid year for the undefeated American. In April, he edged out fellow elite Cruiserweight Guillermo Jones by split decision. Cunningham followed that up with a easy decision victory over former WBA champ Kelvin Davis. A shot at Mormeck can’t be too far away.
3. Guillermo Jones – Many people thought Jones defeated number two cruiserweight Steve Cunningham a few months ago. “El Felino” has otherwise had a career year, knocking out former champions Kelvin Davis and Wayne Braithwaite in four rounds apiece. Rematches with Cunningham or Johnny Nelson, whom he drew with three years ago would be ideal.
4. Johnny Nelson – Nelson has yet to fight this year, and when he does, it will probably be against Vincenzo Cantatore in a mandatory title defense. Nelson’s placement among the elite is in limbo, mainly because of his lack of activity.
5. O’Neil Bell – The IBF champ probably shouldn’t be holding a belt right now, and if you saw his May bout with Dale Brown for the vacant title you know what I mean. If a rematch with Brown doesn’t come, it’s hard to justify Bell’s status as a true champion. His thrilling bout with Sebastian Rothmann is worthy of a rematch as well.
6. Dale Brown – “Cowboy” has every right to feel as though he should be holding a title right now. At 33, his window of opportunity for redemption is closing. After a victory over Damon Reed in August, Brown will hopefully get another shot at a title.
7. Wayne Braithwaite – Braithwaite has yet to tally a victory in 2005, so the former champ has fallen far from his standing as the division’s best fighter at the beginning of the year. Don’t write off “Big Truck” yet, however. His two losses were to Jean Marc Mormeck and Guillermo Jones, two of the most impressive cruiserweights in the world.
8. Carl Thompson – Thompson owns wins over the likes of Sebastian Rothmann and Chris Eubank. Age, injuries, and inactivity, however, will likely end his career before too long.
9. Sebastian Rothmann – Rothmann has given some of the best cruiserweights in the world some scary moments. Last year he knocked down Carl Thompson in the fourth round of their nine round war. He followed that up by losing a narrow majority decision to Steve Cunningham. This year he was giving IBF champ O’Neil Bell fits before being stopped in the eleventh round. Rothmann is a fighter capable of going toe-to-toe with virtually anybody, but has yet to capitalize on his oppurtunites and notch a big victory.
10. Alexander Gurov – Gurov has recorded six straight knockouts since his 2003 loss to Jean Marc Mormeck. The Ukrainian must take on better competition to prove he is ready for another title shot.
Others: Virgil Hill, Enzo Maccarinelli, Krzystof Wlodarczyk