On Saturday night HBO will continue its excellent month of boxing action by broadcasting another doubleheader. In the main event, heavyweight Chris Arreola (28-1, 25 KOs) will take on former cruiserweight champ Tomasz Adamek (40-1, 27 KOs). The fight is an intriguing one for the heavyweight division, and poses the question: Are there top notch bouts at heavyweight that don’t include a Klitschko brother? The answer is yes.
For over the past five years both Wladmir and Vitali Klitschko have dominated the heavyweight division. Whenever a new ‘challenge’ makes its way to their doorstep, they beat the hell out of it with methodical precision. Recently for Wladmir, he disposed of ‘threat’ Eddie Chambers with a dominating performance ending with a twelfth round knockout. For Vitali, he battered an overmatched Chris Arreola on his way to winning with a tenth round stoppage. Now, the only credible threat for either brother is Britain’s David Haye. Haye should get his shot before the end of this year.
But starting Saturday night a new trend in the heavyweight division could begin; consistently high action and exciting heavyweight fights. Figuring out who’s best of the best, and not a Klitschko brother. Numerous top tier heavyweights qualify, such as Eddie Chambers, Alexander Povetkin, Tony Thompson and this weekend’s fighters Chris Arreola and Tomasz Adamek. All of them are good heavyweights, who just don’t have the size to defeat Wladmir or Vitali. Only Adamek and Povetkin have not had their shot at one of the brothers. And I don’t hold much hope for either of them.
Adamek-Arreola could be the start for some exciting events in the heavyweight division. It’s a very important fight. Fans have been waiting for an exciting matchup like this, and a clunker of a match will only make the division fall further and further into obscurity. Hopefully, the two fighters bring their high action styles and put on one great heavyweight bout. We will find out Saturday.
A few weeks ago, I asked readers if any fighter in the heavyweight division could defeat either Klitschko brother. The feedback was excellent, with an overwhelming amount of readers not seeing any serious threats for the dominating Ukrainians. Here’s what the fans had to say.
Mike in Cleveland wrote,
“Wladmir Klitschko is a great heavyweight and nobody gives him the overwhelming credit he deserves. David Haye is the only fighter who can keep a bout with Wladmir close, but no way he would win.”
Dave in Cleveland Heights had a similar comment,
“I think Wladmir will hammer any fighter in the division. He is too good and too big. I think he would put Haye away with a single shot.”
I expect David Haye and Wladmir Klitschko to fight before the end of the year. I also expect for Haye to give Wladmir a very hard time in the bout. Haye can box and has the size to get inside on Wladmir. Wladmir will have to outbox and out punch him. I am not convinced he can do it.
Finally, there was one reader who insist that Wladmir Klitschko is overrated and that he would fall to David Haye. Brad in Chagrin writes,
“Now Haye and Klitschko I would pay for. Klitschko is so overrated and does not have the power or class of David Haye. Haye will knock him out.”
Thanks for writing guys. Be sure to email me your thoughts at clevelandboxing@gmail.com. Also you can follow me on Twitter @ClevelandBoxing.
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