Brand New Heavies.

As the flagship division of boxing, the heavyweights represent our sport to the “Average Joe” fan. While a dominant or exciting champion can generate a lot of interest in boxing, which then tickles down through the divisions, a collection of boring, faceless champions turns many people off the pugilistic game. Our current heavyweight division is arguably as weak as it has ever been with dull champions scoring ugly (often-debatable) decisions over nondescript challengers or over the hill ex-champions. But it ain’t all bad news. We do have cause for optimism. The make up of the division is changing once again and more fighters, especially from the old Soviet States are coming to the fore. We are now seeing a truly global representation from around the world. Let’s take a look at some of the up and coming fighters, contenders and a few guys trying to re-establish themselves, from all corners of our wonderful green earth.

Wladimir Klitschko (Ukraine) Age 29
Record: 44-3 (40)
You all know about Wladimir. Once thought as the next big thing, he suffered two shocking stoppage losses to supposedly inferior opposition and many recommended him to retire. He returned with a decent win last month against the unbeaten Eliseo Castillo. If he can get back on track, he could be around for another five or six years.

Tired of wondering where the next heavyweight star will come from? Jonny Townsend delves into the current heavyweight ranks seeking an answer. Don’t miss this exclusive heavyweight report.

Samuel Peter (Nigeria) 24
Record: 23-0 (20)
The second coming of George Foreman? If you watched his fights last summer you may not think too much of him as he struggled to unanimous decisions over Shufford and Pudar, but a stunning knockout of Jeremy Williams and a battering of the previously sturdy Yanqui Diaz showed his frightening power. Still a baby in heavyweight years, he could be the force of the division in the years to come.

Monte Barrett (USA) 34
Record: 31-3 (17)
He seemed destined for trial-horse status after losses to Wladimir Klitschko and Joe Mesi but came back to beat Dominick Guinn and to stop the undefeated Owen Beck. Next up is ex-champion Hasim Rahman in an evenly matched battle.

Luan Krasniqi (Albania/Kosovo/Germany) 34
Record: 28-1-1 (14)
Once beaten and a great result against Whitaker last weekend (who had never previously been down). Krasniqi also beat Sinan Samil Sam last year to win back the European title that he had lost in an upset to Przemyslaw Saleta (also previously gained vengeance vs. Saleta with a first round knockout). At thirty-four, time is not his friend so he had better hurry. He has shown improved movement and power in recent fights and now goes in against Lamon Brewster (whom he beat as an amateur in 1993) for the WBO title.

Nicolay Valuev (Russia) 31
Record: 41-0 (31)
The GIANT of the division at over seven-feet-tall. Has won forty-one on the trot but is only now starting to fight semi-decent opposition with wins this year over Attila Levin and Clifford Etienne. It will be interesting to see “The Beast from the East” against a top ten fighter who really brings it to him.

Serguei Lyakhovich (Belarusian) 29
Record: 22-1 (14)
Beat once-hot prospect Dominick Guinn last December and has only lost to spoiler Mo Harris three years ago (by ninth round knockout). Known as the “White Wolf,” I doubt if he has the bite to take a decent chunk out of the championship, but we will see when he faces aging dance king Chris Byrd on Don King’s mega bill in Chicago this August. If Byrd is slipping like many think, Serguei could be in line for some big paydays.

Dominick Guinn (USA) 30
Record: 25-2-1 (18)
Cher once sang (badly in my opinion), “If I could turn back time,” and the “Southern Disaster” is humming the same tune these days. From being the hottest heavyweight prospect in 2003 with a series of high-profile wins, Guinn has gone 1-2-1 in his last four fights with some pretty apathetic showings. Still only thirty, he needs to rededicate himself and focus on realizing his potential.

Yanqui Diaz (Cuba) 29
Record: 13-3 (8)
Bludgeoned by Peter in January, but could still come good as he had shown a previously good chin and a decent punch. A recent loss to Kirk “Dunkin’ Donuts” Johnson hurt the chance of his resurgence anytime soon.

Taurus Sykes (USA) 30
Record: 23-1-1 (6)
Bravely goes up against Samuel Peter next month. If he survives, we will rate him. Has no punch but sports a good chin and decent skills. Could their fight be a Foreman-Young repeat or will the young African mauler continue his forage to the title?

Albert Sosnowski (Poland) 26
Record: 37-1 (23)
A well-built fighter with a decent record against lower opposition, The “Dragons’” team look to be trying to earn a mandatory position through volume rather than fighting quality opposition. Took a HUGE step up in class last week out to beat a thirty-nine-year-old Orlin Norris.

Malik Scott (USA) 24
Record: 22-0 (10)
Now growing into his six-foot-four-inch frame, Scott has been learning his craft in the ring and the Philly gyms since his teenage years with Shelly Finkel bringing him along slowly as he believes that Malik could be a leading force in the division in the years to come. Has plenty of time to improve his punch power but needs to take more chances when drubbing opponents.

Sultan & Timor Ibragimov (Russia) 30
Records: 16-0 (14) & 18-0-1 (10)
While Timor has had more fights, it is cousin Sultan who is considered a better prospect, even being likened to a southpaw Rocky Marciano by trainer Panama Lewis. Do not count out a doubleheader versus the Klitschko brothers somewhere down the line. This would be HUGE in Eastern Europe (and indeed the world of boxing).

Ruslan Chagaev (Uzbekistan) 26
Record: 16-0-1 (13)
This author’s pick as a future star of the division, “White Tyson” has fast hands and great skills to match his power. Forget the draw on his record, he was battering Rob Calloway when the referee stopped the fight due to a cut on the American most thought was caused by a punch, not a butt. Fighting out of Germany, this short, stocky fighter has the tools to go all the way and lead the division.

Roman Greenberg (Israel/England) 23
Record: 18-0 (13)
Many in the U.K. and Israel think that this London based, Russian born, Israeli raised Jew is the second coming of Jesus Christ (or the first?). Blessed with incredible hand-speed, decent power and great boxing skills, Roman can sometimes be guilty of “Switching off” during a fight and just pecking his way to victory. But when he is on form, he looks great, so keep an eye on him. Has an ambitious schedule lined up this year with fights in Vegas and Monaco within the next six weeks.

Others to watch.

Alexander Dimitrenko, (Ukranian) 18-0 (11) age 22, Vladimir Virchis (Ukranian) 18-0 (16) age 31, Eddie Chambers (USA) 23-0 (13) age 23, Audley Harrison (England) 17-0 (12) age 33, Shane Cameron (NZ) 12-0 (11) age 27, Kevin Johnson (USA) 7-0-1 (4) drew with Timor Ibramigov age 25, Abraham Okine (Ghana) 14-0 (8) age 33, Scott Gammer (Wales) 13-0-1 (8) age 28.

Jonny Townsend can be reached at taansend@yahoo.com