My Top 10 Heavyweights:

My Top 10 Heavyweights:

By Joe Jessup

With the boxing heavyweight scene livening up after a period of relative obscurity, everyone has an opinion on who the best active big guy is. In a two-part article I will offer my opinion on the top ten currently plying their trade in the glamour division.

10 – Kubrat Pulev (25-1)

The Bulgarian may have lost his one big fight to date against Wladimir Klitschko, but a solid string of wins since has seen him reemerge as a top contender. At 37, time may be running out for the Cobra but he still has enough left in the tank to see his once fearsome reputation take form. Due to fight Anthony Joshua in 2017 for the IBF WBA straps, injury frustratingly ruled him out and he hasn’t had a chance yet to relive the opportunity. Not the most aesthetically pleasing or powerful, but Pulev has solid fundamentals and a resume of decent wins behind him.

9 – Dominic Breazeale (19-1)

The American doesn’t yet have a strong resume, but a spirited effort against the wrecking-ball version of AJ and an impressive stoppage of veteran Eric Molina last time out has shown his promise. The 32-year-old only started boxing at the late age of 23 and achieved relative success, winning the 2012 US National title and making the 2012 Olympic games in London. In the pro ranks, Brezeale’s solid punching power, hard chin and 6’7 frame make him a daunting prospect for any one to face. Long touted as a future Deontay Wilder opponent, the interesting bout may well be closer to fruition than ever.

8 – Jarrell Miller (22-0-1)

Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller is a beast of a heavyweight. At 6’4 , the Brooklyn born puncher has been clamoring for a big fight for a while now. Hailing from the same city as Mike Tyson and Shannon Briggs, Miller has a similar attitude to the fight game and isn’t afraid to speak his mind. He holds knockout wins over veteran journeyman Raymond Ochieng, Gerald Washington and Mariusz Wach and looks as though he could be a problem for most guys at the weight. Most recently Miller has been trying to goad Anthony Joshua in to the ring, although he may have to prove himself a couple of more times before landing the big shot.

7 – Alexander Povetkin (35-1)

The most established fighter on this list, the Russian has seen it all in the squared circle. A fantastic amateur career which culminated in World, European and Olympic gold – followed by a great stint in the professional ranks – has seen Povetkin mix fearsome punching with an underrated ring IQ to build a highly impressive record of victories. His sole blip, a 12 round loss to generational king W. Klitschko, showed how much heart the Russian has to go with the skills. A former WBA king himself, the Russian would rank higher were it not for two failed drug tests; once in 2016 when scheduled to face Wilder and another in 2017 when facing Stiverne. Somehow Povetkin avoided lengthy bans on both occasions and it does leaves a question mark. Next up for the decorated fighter is a world title bout against current king Anthony Joshua in what could prove to be a classic.

6 – Tyson Fury (26-0)

The charismatic ‘Gypsy King’ divides opinion like no other in world boxing. One minute he can be seen giving respect to colleagues and talking a lot of knowledge, only to turn around and say something utterly outrageous in the next breath. Whether you like or loathe him, his career so far can’t be questioned. He is the man who shocked the world and ended the reign of Wladimir Klitschko, becoming the unified, lineal Heavyweight champion of the world in the process. Some have said he is boring, some that he is vulnerable but the fact remains that Tyson is unbeaten and has a collection of good scalps to go with it.

Since the famous night in Dussledorf in 2015 however, Fury has been inactive and plagued by outside of the ring issues, only returning to the ring earlier this year, Fury has a lot to prove. Still only 29, the fighting pride of Ireland/Manchester may never be able to reach his pre-hiatus level again. He is next in action August 18th against Francesco Pianeta and providing all goes well, is expected to challenge WBC king Deontay Wilder sometime in December. Should that fight materialise, the world will see if Tyson Fury still has it.

Look out for part 2 of the article where I reveal my thoughts on who are the top 5 heavyweights around today.