Looking at the six below him, I think number four isn't unreasonable
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Why is it weird though, I mean it's all boxing it's not as if a lower weight class is a different sport. The idea that all of the things of you do in a lower weight class mean nothing when you step up is frankly bizarre.
Manny is the best fighter in the world, a multiple weight champ and just annihilated Oscar De La Hoya at 147, if that gives him a place in the top 10 I see nothing wrong with that.
Don't know if he's rated higher than Collazo, Berto, Clottey or the like but if he is I have no problem with it at all. When Collazo, Berto or Clottey blow a fighter like Oscar away let me know :cool:
One thing about David Haye. He sure gets people talking. Even when he isn't talking silliness. Hence this thread. I think it's good stuff for boxing and the HW division. :)
He was ranked in the top 10 by the WBO. I believe Tomaz Bonin was top 10 ranked as well when Haye did him in a round.
Can't believe I'm defending Haye but I find it bizarre that some of you think wins over the likes of Derek Rossey, Zuri Lawrence or Vaugn Bean count more than cleaning up the cruiserweight scene by knocking out the unified champ in his own back yard.
Haye has demolished world titlist Monte Barrett and and at at the time world ranked Tomasz Bonin at heavyweight. both were top 10 ranked and in addition to his previous campaigns at cruiser he's deserving of a top 10 place easy.
As I said before the only guys who deserve to be above him are the Klitschko's, Valuev, Chagaev and Povetkin. Why people are arguing for Peter and Ibrgimov to be above him as if they have are having no rewards for their merit is beyond me. They have both lost world titles, and literally stunk the place out in their last fights. Peter quit on his stool against Vitali why does he 'deserve' on merit to be ranked above Haye exactly?
Let them work to get their respect back and rank someone who at least has some fire in his belly.
Ugh, this David Haye defending is making me queasy. :-X
Bonin was ranked number 11 by the WBC Bilbo.
I think too many peopel are looking at this list as a 'who's the better fighter' list. To me a top ranking list is a 'who's hot and who's not' list.. that isn't neccesarily based on their skill level, but the excitement they are currently building in the boxing scene and the excitement of future fights they may be promoting.. Haye's fight with Wlad is certainly stirring alot of excitement in the boxing scene, which based off my theory would do more than enough to warrant him a 4th place ranking.
As mentioned previously in the thread, pac man moving up to 4th-5th in the rankings after beating DLH. Well I think purely for the amount of excitement his victory started up (with the possibility of a showdown with the hitman and what not) did more than enough to warrant him a good place on the list.
Boxrec has him 3rd :o I think if he had beat a top 10 guy he could be ranked there, but Barrett was nowhere near there. I think its just to make a heavyweight showdown between him and Wlad or Vitali seem more meaningful than it really is.
I believe Haye is talented, but a number 4 ranking is absurb. He should have to prove himself at heavy for a ranking that high, and a win over Barrett doesn't do it. A win over Barrett shouldn't even get you in the Top 20, let alone Top 5.
I agree with some of the other posters who said that this is just to make him look like a better candidate for Klitschko. I remember the same thing happening when Sergio Mora fought Vernon Forrest the first time. He suddenly got a huge jump in the ratings over more established fighters to make the fight appear to be more of a competition. Of course Mora goes on to win that fight so in most eyes all is forgiven, but it was just another example of rating tampering. Add it to the list of things that need changing in boxing along with incompetent refs, 6 different belt holders for each alphabet title, incompetent judging, etc...
Haye may very well go on to be a great heavy, but until he proves himself at that weight class, I think its unfair to rank him above people who have established themselves in that division.
I think based on his Cruiser weight credentials he should be ranked in the top 10 at HW...You have to admit the HW division is weak when you look below number 2..
VK and WK are leaps and bounds above the current crop...I still favor either Klistchko to handily beat Haye....