Who should Wladimir fight next?

[El Gamo]

http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=7983&more=1

20.08.06 - By Dave Domenico: With the Proposed November bout between IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko still lingering, we are all anxious to see who the next opponent will be. The question still remains: who should Klitschko face next? I came up with a short list of five fighters who should be considered. Here we go:

#1) Oleg Maskaev (U.S.):

Ol’ Oleg created some serious buzz by rallying late to stop WBC heavyweight champion Hasim Rahman last week. Oleg is now the new WBC champion at age 37. The appeal of this bout is the unification factor. The WBC and IBF belts would be on the line and this fight would be a serious step in the crowning of the true Heavyweight champion. Supposedly Maskaev needs time to recover and it was rumored that a November bout is too soon. Oleg may be a bit too old and limited for Wlad anyway. In my opinion, this fight probably will not happen anytime soon unless the money is too good to pass up. I like Oleg and I would hate to see him have Wlad’s right hand thundering off his head like Chris Byrd did.

#2) Sergei Liahkovich (Belarus):

Probably the best match we could have. It would be a good style matchup and a serious step at crowning the linear heavyweight champion. Sergei is the new WBO champion after the battered former Champion Lamon Brewster a few months ago. Sergei generated a lot of buzz when he scored a tremendous upset over Brewster when we all know he was intened to be a warm up fight. The appeal of this fight is that both guys are considered by many to be the two best in the division and its another unification bout as well. The IBF and WBO belts are on the line in this case. Both Wlad and Sergei last fought around the same time so a November bout is very realistic as far as training time is concerned. The problem is politics. Sergei is a Don King fighter and Wlad is not. Unfortunately, That’s probably the main factor for derailing this bout.

#3) Lamon Brewster (U.S.):

Lamon has been on the shelf since the battering he took from Liahkovich. It was reported Lamon needed eye surgery after the bout and has not announced any plans about a next fight. I mention this match because Lamon holds a somewhat controversial win over Wlad. This could be interesting as a rematch because of the revenge factor and the fact that the first fight was very exciting. For Wlad, this fight could be sweet redemption for him if he won. For Lamon, this fight would be a good payday and he would be getting another title shot. If Lamon is ready and the promotional teams work together, This fight could happen. I think people would be interested in it too. We’ll see where it goes from here.

#4) Shannon Briggs (U.S.):

Shannon was originally scheduled to be Wlad’s opponent in November. He is ranked #7th by the IBF because of his fighting activity and win streak. This all sounds good except he hasn’t beaten anyone in the top ten recently. This fight created some interest because Shannon is viewed by many to be a dangerous fight for Wlad, because of his size and punching power. It is possible he could score an upset so many people were interested in this bout. If other fights don’t work out, this fight could very likely happen as originally planned.

#5) Calvin Brock (U.S.):

Calvin Brock is a top contender in the heavyweight division. He has the tools to be champion on paper and is undefeated. Brock also has no scheduled bout as of yet. Brock is ranked very high in all of the sanctioning bodies. Unfortunately Brock looked bad in his last fight he may be too green for Klitschko right now, but if the money’s right I think it’s a strong possibility. We’ll See.

It’s very likely one of these fighters will be Wlad next opponent in November. We’re all waiting to see who. See My Point?!

[ICB]

well hes fighting briggs in november so when he beats briggs he will fight sergio i think

[El Kabong]

I think he beats Briggs and goes for Maskaev leaving Valuev and Lyakhovich to figure out what becomes of the other two belts.

A Unification match between Wlad and either Nicolay or Sergei would be AWESOME for the divsion

[SEB]

#1) Oleg Maskaev (U.S.):

would be an interesting fight for Wlad, but it's too soon for Oleg, he just fought rhaman, needs rest and to pick an easier opponent next :-)

Nonetheless : Wlad by a boring jab fest decision

#2) Sergei Liahkovich (Belarus):

This won't happen because of Don king options in the contracts. but again, I think Wlad would simply KO him.

#3) Lamon Brewster (U.S.):

Brewster has problem with his eyes I think, that's why he needs some rest and perhaps some surgery to his retina. I don't know the status, but eventhen...I really wonder if Wlad wants to avenge his loss.

#4) Shannon Briggs (U.S.):

This fight needs to happen, briggs is not linked with Don king, he's in his last run, beautiful fight for Wlad.

Briggs crushed 7 or 10 tomato cans as from now, but I don't think he has the tools to beat Wlad. but who knows, Briggs can punch and if he comes at 240-250, then watch out for a fast briggs.

#5) Calvin Brock (U.S.):

Yeah, why not, But if I was Clavin, I would take the fight against Oleg Maskaev, much much easier.

[El Kabong]

Wlad KO's everyone except Sergei....he's the only one who is durable enough to go the distance with Wlad but then again Sergei's lack of power could make Wlad trigger happy with his power punches and get the ref stop the fight

[ICB]

he may not ko brewster. brewster could ko wlad if he catches him like first time

[killakam88]

definitly valuev

[1st rd ko]

Id like to see Wlad vs. Nick. It wont happen and neither will any other unification fight. So I guess Brock would be ok. Wlad wins by ko.

[DaxxKahn]

I think he beats Briggs and goes for Maskaev leaving Valuev and Lyakhovich to figure out what becomes of the other two belts.

A Unification match between Wlad and either Nicolay or Sergei would be AWESOME for the divsion

IMO Wlad is the Champ of the division........The others pale in comparison as far as skill goes....I wish I had more confidence in his chin...If his jaw was sturdier he would walk through anyone in that division EASY....Though I was impressed the way he bounced back in the peters fight after hitting the floor 3 times...If you could take Wlads offence and mix it with Vitaly's chin...That would be a fighter who would stay champion til he was damn ready to give it up..Cause this crop of B class warriors wouldn't be able to take it

[Majesty]

Well Manny Stewart is trying to hype Briggs up as the opponent he DOESN'T want Wladimer to fight and that Briggs is the most dangerous and skilled Heavyweight out there and that he's not sure if Wladimer would survive the first 4 rounds.

I guess that means he's fighting Briggs

[El Kabong]

he may not ko brewster. brewster could ko wlad if he catches him like first time

Lamon only got to him because Wlad punched himself out...I really am being to doubt Lamon's punching power ESPECIALLY when he's paired up with the jab happy Buddy McGirt as trainer

Wlad-Valuev is just what the division needs!

Brock is a jack of all trades but a master of NONE which is why his best bet would be to fight Maskaev or Lyakhovich

I really dont' think it's Wlad's chin that's bad but his decision making after he's rocked which is bad...I mean vs Sanders if he took an 8 count and got on his bike he might have made it....vs Brewster he punched himself out same with Purrity but Sanders was the only one to really do damage to him.

I see no one out there now that can hit as hard or as fast as Sanders (plus he was lefthanded which gave him an obvious advantage, he threw from odd angles but was still short and accurate with his punches)

Briggs is an unknown at this point he's been doing good enough BUT no one knows if he's still that sharp vs top 10 fighters....I think he has the proverbial puncher's chance but Wlad will negate that....I think in all honesty fighting a BIGGER guy than Wlad means they will be gunning for Valuev who is also a bigger guy than Wlad

[Majesty]

Briggs is an unknown at this point he's been doing good enough BUT no one knows if he's still that sharp vs top 10 fighters....I think he has the proverbial puncher's chance but Wlad will negate that....I think in all honesty fighting a BIGGER guy than Wlad means they will be gunning for Valuev who is also a bigger guy than Wlad

Well Manny's been hyping up Briggs like he's the second coming of Ali,Lennoz Lewis,Joe Frazier and Mike Tyson combined.

So I guess that means Wladimer will take that fight

[El Kabong]

Lennox had a really hard time with him....I believe that's why he thinks he's tough. Briggs is only tough when he takes the fight seriously if he comes to win and not just get paid then Wlad is going to have to work hard for the win

[Majesty]

Briggs coming in at near 300 pounds isn't taking the fight seriously, unless he's trying to trick someone and comes to fight at 240 AT LEAST then Wladimer is going to have an easy day with him.

[SimonH]

Briggs will be no test; Valuev would be a lot more fun IMO