By James Slater: “The Bible Of Boxing,” Ring Magazine, have just released their latest heavyweight rankings. Due to the unexpectedly impressive display British contender Dereck Chisora gave against WBC king (and Ring #1 ranked big man, behind only younger brother, Ring Champ Wladimir) Vitali Klitschko, there was some discussion amongst Ring writers that maybe “Del Boy” deserved to enter their top-ten..
“Fast” Eddie Chambers, out of the top-10 due to inactivity (he last fought in Feb. of last year, winning a wide decision against Derric Rossy), needed to be replaced, but in the end, Ring chose Tyson Fury over Chisora. Unbeaten Fury of course won a decision over an overweight Chicora a while back, and Ring could not justify ranking the Londoner above big Tyson.
Ring’s top-10 heavyweight rankings now look like this:
Champ Wladimir Klitschko
1: Vitali Klitschko
2: Alexander Povetkin
3: Tomasz Adamek
4: Alexander Dimitrenko
5: Robert Helenius
6: Denis Boystov
7: Ruslan Chagaev
8: Chris Arreola
9: Kubrat Pulev
10: Tyson Fury
A decent enough top-10, even if some (including me) would not have Helenuis, a very fortunate “winner” over Chisora, quite so high.
Anyway, the new rankings, the ones that leave out Chisora, got me thinking. Who is the better fighter: Fury or Chisora? Sure, Fury won the only fight the two men have so far had (a return could definitely happen), but Chisora entered the ring having weighed-in above 260-pounds. Due in part to a hernia affecting his ability to train, the extra poundage surely had as much to do with the loss as did Fury’s skills. Of course, it’s not Fury’s problem that Chisora came in so bloated. But who would bet on a different outcome if the two met again? For what it’s worth, I would.
Chisora has ticked all the boxes now: his chin being proven, his stamina being proven and his overall ability to hold his own with the #1 ranked heavyweight in the world being proven. Fury may hold that win over Chisora and he may also hold an unbeaten record, yet there are a number of empty boxes on his chart. Chin? Questionable (downed by Neven Pajkic, wobbled badly by Nicolai Firtha, neither guy being a noted banger). Quality of opposition? Fair/modest. How would Fury do against Helenuis for example?
Chisora may have three losses on his record, including one to Fury. Strangely, however, Chisora is by the far the more proven fighter. If he escapes a life ban, Chisora will be the man to go on to have the far more accomplished career in my opinion. How about your view?