02.02.07 – By Evan Young, Boxingforecast.com. Well, the cruiser weight division may be heading towards revitalization of sorts. I’ve always believed it be a legitimate division but now more than any other time there is more young talent then ever in the division’s 28 year old history.
BRIEF HISTORY
The cruiserweight division has an array of promising fighters from many parts of the world. In stark contrast to today’s heavyweight division many of the top cruiserweights are at or approaching their prime years. The cruiserweights began in 1979 when boxing powers that be agreed that a middle ground was needed between the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. Marvin Camel became the first cruiserweight champion when he won a 15 round unanimous decision over Mate Parlov in 1980. In the early years of the division it was often a haven for chunky and or aging light heavyweights and also for small heavyweights that couldn’t deal with the big men that inhabited that division.. The cruisers were considered a bastard division by many purists but there have been some good champions that have reigned for a while or simply passed through. Carlos DeLeon, the classy Puerto Rican boxer, was the one of the best champions the division ever had. He was a champ, in 4 separate reigns, for nearly 10 years from 1980 – 1990 and was a terrific fighter. But he is probably best known for surrendering his title in 8 one sided rounds to a young and hungry Evander Holyfield in 1988. Holyfield is still considered by most as the division’s greatest champion on his way to the heavyweight title. Since Holyfield left the division in 1988 as the undisputed champ there has been over 30 champions in the various divisions. Other fighters of note the have held titles are Dwight Qawi, Bobby Czyz, Juan Carlos Gomez, Orlin Norris, Vassily Jirov, Virgil Hill and many others.
BRIEF RECENT HISTORY
O’Neil Bell became the undisputed champion in early 2006 when he upset highly regarded Jean Mark Mormeck with an 10th round knock out. But his circumstances were such that he wasn’t able to defend his belts. His IBF title was vacated and picked up by the tough Polish fighter Krzysztof Wlodarczyk with his narrow win over American Steve Cunningham last November. His WBA title was vacated and ancient Virgil Hill defeated Valery Brudov to win that title. But Hill went in recess of sorts and Brudov picked up the interim WBA title with a win over Luis Pineda in December. It get’s even more confusing because Bell is considered the Unified WBA champion because he holds another belt – the WBC trinket. Bell finally gets a chance to defend his titles, WBC and WBA, on March 17, 2007 against the man he beat for them – Mormeck. Tough Englishman Enzo Maccarinelli currently holds the WBO title. Virgil Hill fights come backing Henry Maske in late March but no belt is on the line.
THE CHAMPS
O’Neil Bell – He is the current WBC and Unified WBA champion. He finally gets in the ring after a year off against talented Jean Mark Mormeck. Bell has shown lapses in concentration in many of his fights but he is genuine tough guy that is able to overcome adversity in his fights. He seems to get stronger later in the fights and can score KO’s when well behind on the scorecards.
Vadim Tokarev – He holds wins over Darnell Wilson, Michael Simms and Felix Cora. He is ranked #1 at Boxrec.com and has proven to be dangerous for anyone in his division. No one can consider themselves the best if hey don’t fight this guy. He has nothing scheduled at this time.
Krzysztof Wlodarczyk – He recently beat Steve Cunningham for the vacant IBF title by split decision. Some say Cunningham deserved the nod. The tough Pole is only 25 years old and deserves to get top fights. He is tall, strong and aggressive fighter that should be around for a long time.
Valery Brudov – Lost to ancient but still useful Virgil Hill for the vacant WBA title but won the interim WBA crown last December against Luis Pineda. His only loss has been to Hill but he hasn’t fought the best guys. He needs to up the level of competition to determine where he belongs in this division.
Virgil Hill – 1984 Olympic Silver medalist Hill is still at it and making noise. He won vacant WBA title from inexperienced Brudov last year. He retired after that win but he’s back to give former victim Henry Maske a chance at redemption when they fight in March. Hill had 20 title defenses as a light heavyweight and is actually 43 years old. His ability to fight on such a high level for so long is nothing short of amazing.
Enzo Maccarinelli – He’s a very exciting Welsh bomber that will make great fights with the top fighters. I want to see him against Brit David Haye and or any other top cruiser for that matter. With his power and at 6’4, and only 26 years old he should certainly get some great fights.
THE CONTENDERS
Jean Mark Mormeck – The classy Frenchman seemed to be the complete package of skills, speed and power before he was outlasted and stopped by very tough O’Neil Bell in early 2006. He can do it all but Bell proved him beatable with his 10th round KO win. He’ll get a chance to prove that loss was an aberration as he gets his rematch with Bell in March. I can’t wait for that one.
Marco Huck – he is a young, only 23, undefeated and fights out of Germany. His most notable win was a wide decision over once promising American Michael Simms. He still has a lot to prove but could be a good one.
David Haye – Very exciting British puncher with legitimate one punch power. His lone loss was a shootout to old war horse Carl Thompson over 2 years ago. This guy, 26 years old, has the makings of a big player in the division with his charisma and power. His last win was a WBC eliminator so look for him in a title shot in the near future.
Firat Arslan – Has a draw with highly regarded Vadim Tokarev and is coming off a big KO win over Grigory Drozd. He is older at 36, but seems to be coming into his own as a fighter. The win over Drozd was a WBA title eliminator so we should see him in a title fight.
Steve Cunningham – He’s a 6’3 American southpaw with silky smooth skills. He lost a narrow decision to Krzysztof Wlodarczyk for the vacant title. He has wins over very tough Kelvin Davis and Guillermo Jones. He will be back and will certainly get another title shot down the road.
Guillermo Jones – Former Panamanian Jr. Middleweight has shown that he is a dangerous fighter with KO’s over former champs Kelvin Davis and Wayne Braithwaite. He has nothing scheduled but he is a dangerous opponent for anyone. He has good skills, can punch and is very durable. It’s easy to understand why he has been avoided as of late.
PROSPECTS
Matt Godfrey – he was a top amateur star that fights out of Providence, Rhode Island. He is a terrific boxer has looked tremendous as a young pro and isn’t far away from very big fights.
Johnathon Banks – Emanuel Steward’s young charge seems to the real deal. He banged out former heavyweight fringe contender Eliseo Castillo. He can punch and box. At 6’3 and only 24 years old his future is bright. He appears ready to fight a contender this year.
DARK HORSES
Felix Cora – Cora was stopped by in his last fight by Vadim Tokarev but he is still a very live fighter. He has great ability and is still a young man. Besides that loss he hasn’t taken too much punishment. I’m certain he’ll regroup and be back in the mix.
Darnell Wilson – the Ding-a-Ling Man, is clearly someone to keep an eye on. He didn’t have any or much amateur experience but he can punch and has a good beard. He has lost to Felix Cora, Vadim Tokarev, both by decision, but he has stopped Daniel Judah and Dale Brown in his last 2 fights. He seems to be an improving commodity and may become someone people will avoid. More questions will be answered when he takes on bruising former champ Kelvin Davis on February 23.
Kelvin Davis – former champ Davis hit a rough patch with a KO loss to Guillermo Jones and a decision loss to Steve Cunningham. But he drew with fringe heavyweight contender Charles Shufford and has been active and undefeated in four fights in 2006. He’s only 5’7 but he can punch and is aggressive. He’s always exciting and his upcoming fight with Wilson should be amazing and probably won’t go the route.
Emmanuel Nwodo– This Nigerian import now fights out of Baltimore, Maryland. He has 3 losses early in his career as a heavyweight. But he has been knocking some decent cruisers around for the past few years. He holds a 1st round KO over still useful former champ Imamu Mayfield and a stoppage win over decent Chris Thomas for the vacant USBA title. This guy looks for real and I want to see him against some iron.
SUMMARY
This is an incredible list of guys and all bring something to their fights. There is a lot of varied talent from this group. Most of these guys come from strong amateur backgrounds and are great technicians AND many of these guys are young and are very good punchers. This is clearly the deepest this division has been since it’s inception in 1979. Some great fights could be made for the next 3-4 years with this group of fighters. We’ll get some answers in the next few months when some of these guys square off but there is a long way to go to get even a glimmer of clarity in this surprisingly talent laden division. I really hope that promoters and boxing organizations can work together and put on the many the potential great fights that exist in this cruiserweight division.