Top 10 Heavyweights: Honourable Mentions

Top 10 Heavyweights: Honourable Mentions

By Liam Lawer

There is always a group, just outside the established upper echelon of any given division, that is ripe with the potential for excitement. It is made up of hot prospects, close to breaking through, and tough veterans or former champions who still have plenty to offer. When two young guns battle it out, or a crossover fight provides an all-or-nothing clash, they can provide more intrigue than even the cream of the crop.

Some fade away and retire, some get that push to championship status. Here are a few notable fighters who just miss out, but you sure wouldn’t mind seeing them fight each other…

Oscar Rivas – 26(18)-0-0

Talk about a slow burner.

Oscar Rivas, 2008 Olympian, is only now making a mark on the division, a whole decade after turning professional. For years he had plied his trade in Canada, fighting unremarkable opposition, sometimes looking impressive, but sometimes looking less so. The Colombian has timed his ascendancy rather well however, last seen stopping Bryant Jennings in the twelfth to put him in the picture for an almighty payday. It’s a fine time be a contender, and at 31, it appears he is reaching his prime just when it suits him. Alas, standing in the way of his near-certain title shot is one Dillian Whyte. The two clash on July 20th, in the O2 Arena. It’s a fight that could be explosive.

After all, Mr Rivas is simply known as ‘Kaboom’.

Joe Joyce – 9(9)-0-0

Joyce has made a perfect start to his fledgling career, winning all his 9 contests by knockout. There are some impressive names on the record too, primarily former champion, Bermane Stiverne. All were a bit too washed up at the time to justify him making the list, however. His performance against Ustinov may not have revealed a world-beating talent, but no matter how far he gets, it is sure to be entertaining.

Daniel Dubois – 11(10)-0-0 / Nathan Gorman – 16(11)-0-0

Two exciting, homegrown and undefeated prospects taking each other on early in their careers, if only this could be the norm. Whoever wins this one will be on the fringe of the top 10, the other is by no means cast out for long. A fantastic match up which may produce our next star. July 13th, mark the date.

Wladimir Klitschko – 64(53)-5(4)-0

Clearly, a retired fighter cannot make the top 10 list in any given division, but rumours of a comeback have put Dr. Steelhammer’s name firmly back in the boxing newsfeed. If he were to grace the ring again, he’d be up there based on achievements alone. Whatever images his lengthy reign conjure up, his talent and success in the sport is undeniable. You wouldn’t bet against him versus most, even now.

Oleksandr Usyk – 16(12)-0-0

Just as a retired fighter can’t make the list, a fighter from another division must be omitted too. Fellow Ukrainian, Oleksandr Usyk, left the cruiserweight division as one of the best fighters that class had ever seen, with no worthy contenders left to challenge him. His heavyweight debut has been delayed, but a convincing victory over Carlos Takam would assure a top 10 place at the very least. A potential rival to the current champions, who must be hoping he does not transition well.

Agit Kabayel – 19(13)-0-0

The European champion made a name for himself after comprehensively outpointing a listless Dereck Chisora back in 2017. Since then, he has done little to build on that progress, just missing out on this list. He remains a fighter worth watching though, and will hopefully try his hand at world level soon enough.

Filip Hrgovic – 8(6)-0-0

He might not be able to sing, as his most recent pre-fight conference shows, but he has everything else so far. Height, youth, power, and a strong amateur pedigree, watch him become a real force in the coming months and years. Already marketable, he has a healthy grasp of the English language, alongside a Spanish nickname: ‘El Animal’. Don’t be fooled though, this is no feral beast, but a calm and dangerous hunter who knows when he has trapped his prey.

The real list will be up soon, but in the meantime, feel free to comment below. Who amongst these you think will be able to break that barrier and get to the top?