Currently, who is the most protected fighter (e.g. someone like Sven Ottke)?

[Kev]

I don't know about protected, as it might be more a case of no available opposition beause of the Super Six but Lucian Bute has fought some pretty poor opposition for how highly rated he is.

Nonito Donaire was the same for the last few years although he did step up to fight Montiel and looked sensational. Back to easy fights again now though.

Both of these fighters fight in extrememly strong divisions though, with lot's of excellent competition so their fight resume's are surprisingly lacking.

Slightly down a level Alexander Povetkin has taken his sweet time to step up, and now with Holyfield apparently next he should feel pretty ashamed.

That said, given how easily everyone is being despatched by the brothers Klitschko it may be a smart move.

I understand Povetkin dodged the Klitschko bullet, but he doesn't belong because he just faced Ruslan Chagaev who is a top heavyweight.

Chagaev 'was' a top heavyweight. He hasn't been in the top 10 for a while. He'd been struggling to even get a license the past few years because of his hepatitis scare. He'd also looked pretty poor in his outings since losing to Wlad, labouring to points wins over mediocre opposition.

Plus I thought he came close to beating Povetkin. Povetkin's stock dropped quite a bit for me after watching that fight.

[Rantcatrat]

I don't know about protected, as it might be more a case of no available opposition beause of the Super Six but Lucian Bute has fought some pretty poor opposition for how highly rated he is.

Nonito Donaire was the same for the last few years although he did step up to fight Montiel and looked sensational. Back to easy fights again now though.

Both of these fighters fight in extrememly strong divisions though, with lot's of excellent competition so their fight resume's are surprisingly lacking.

Slightly down a level Alexander Povetkin has taken his sweet time to step up, and now with Holyfield apparently next he should feel pretty ashamed.

That said, given how easily everyone is being despatched by the brothers Klitschko it may be a smart move.

I understand Povetkin dodged the Klitschko bullet, but he doesn't belong because he just faced Ruslan Chagaev who is a top heavyweight.

Chagaev 'was' a top heavyweight. He hasn't been in the top 10 for a while. He'd been struggling to even get a license the past few years because of his hepatitis scare. He'd also looked pretty poor in his outings since losing to Wlad, labouring to points wins over mediocre opposition.

Plus I thought he came close to beating Povetkin. Povetkin's stock dropped quite a bit for me after watching that fight.

I don't disagree with your last part, but as far as ranking goes, he was ranked in the top ten when he faced Povetkin. I don't believe the heavyweight Haye faced anyone as good as Chagaev prior to facing Wlad, but that's a different discussion and I don't mean to get off topic.

[Kev]

I don't know about protected, as it might be more a case of no available opposition beause of the Super Six but Lucian Bute has fought some pretty poor opposition for how highly rated he is.

Nonito Donaire was the same for the last few years although he did step up to fight Montiel and looked sensational. Back to easy fights again now though.

Both of these fighters fight in extrememly strong divisions though, with lot's of excellent competition so their fight resume's are surprisingly lacking.

Slightly down a level Alexander Povetkin has taken his sweet time to step up, and now with Holyfield apparently next he should feel pretty ashamed.

That said, given how easily everyone is being despatched by the brothers Klitschko it may be a smart move.

I understand Povetkin dodged the Klitschko bullet, but he doesn't belong because he just faced Ruslan Chagaev who is a top heavyweight.

Chagaev 'was' a top heavyweight. He hasn't been in the top 10 for a while. He'd been struggling to even get a license the past few years because of his hepatitis scare. He'd also looked pretty poor in his outings since losing to Wlad, labouring to points wins over mediocre opposition.

Plus I thought he came close to beating Povetkin. Povetkin's stock dropped quite a bit for me after watching that fight.

I don't disagree with your last part, but as far as ranking goes, he was ranked in the top ten when he faced Povetkin. I don't believe the heavyweight Haye faced anyone as good as Chagaev prior to facing Wlad, but that's a different discussion and I don't mean to get off topic.

Yeah I just checked the Ring rankings and they have him at 9. I agree about David Haye.

I don't think a number 9 ranked heavyweight is a big deal for a number 4 rated fighter though, considering it's his biggest step up. Povetkin started his career well, winning that mini heavyweight tournament, but he's gone backwards since then fighting subpar opponents. Chagaev was a step in the right direction, but a Holyfield fight borders on farcical.

[Rantcatrat]

I don't know about protected, as it might be more a case of no available opposition beause of the Super Six but Lucian Bute has fought some pretty poor opposition for how highly rated he is.

Nonito Donaire was the same for the last few years although he did step up to fight Montiel and looked sensational. Back to easy fights again now though.

Both of these fighters fight in extrememly strong divisions though, with lot's of excellent competition so their fight resume's are surprisingly lacking.

Slightly down a level Alexander Povetkin has taken his sweet time to step up, and now with Holyfield apparently next he should feel pretty ashamed.

That said, given how easily everyone is being despatched by the brothers Klitschko it may be a smart move.

Donaire and Bute may not be fighting the types of challenges we would like to see top p4p guys face, but I wouldn't call them protected (as you pointed out in your post). What I'm talking about is a little bit different. For example, Donaire's next fight is against the top ranked junior bantamweight fighter in the world and I don't really see him as a case where he's not facing the people he should face. Also, Bute is facing Glen Johnson who is a top 10 super middleweight now.

Not the same as Chavez Jr., Chris John, or Felix Sturm who are seasoned professionals continuing to face club fighters.

[Vendettos]

Carl Froch



And if you think I'm serious, you don't understand sarcasm :P

[Galaxy]

Martirosyan maybe? Mike Alvarado?

[erics44]

Carl Froch



And if you think I'm serious, you don't understand sarcasm :P

youre giving sarcasm a bad name

[Kev]

I don't know about protected, as it might be more a case of no available opposition beause of the Super Six but Lucian Bute has fought some pretty poor opposition for how highly rated he is.

Nonito Donaire was the same for the last few years although he did step up to fight Montiel and looked sensational. Back to easy fights again now though.

Both of these fighters fight in extrememly strong divisions though, with lot's of excellent competition so their fight resume's are surprisingly lacking.

Slightly down a level Alexander Povetkin has taken his sweet time to step up, and now with Holyfield apparently next he should feel pretty ashamed.

That said, given how easily everyone is being despatched by the brothers Klitschko it may be a smart move.

Donaire and Bute may not be fighting the types of challenges we would like to see top p4p guys face, but I wouldn't call them protected (as you pointed out in your post). What I'm talking about is a little bit different. For example, Donaire's next fight is against the top ranked junior bantamweight fighter in the world and I don't really see him as a case where he's not facing the people he should face. Also, Bute is facing Glen Johnson who is a top 10 super middleweight now.

Not the same as Chavez Jr., Chris John, or Felix Sturm who are seasoned professionals continuing to face club fighters.

Bute and Donaire have been world champs for several years though. Chavez Jr hasn't even had one defence yet. By comparison Bute's opposition is worse than Chavez's considering he's about 4. years ahead of him in career terms

Bute won his world title in 2007, 4 years ago. Look he's fought since then. It's risible.

Same with Donaire. From Darchinyan to Montiel he fought nobodies.

[frankenfrank]

Chris John and Felix Sturm come to mind. Who else is out there?

U can't b serious . Is fighting Juarez in d U.S and being denied of d decision is what u call protected ? or when Sturm had to give his title to DLH so DLH would have had some excuse for a claim (besides money) for d "Ring Mgazine"/lineal/whatever world middleweight title when he challenged Hopkins ?



Anyway , 4 me , d current most protected fighter in d world is Povetkin , but there r many more extremely protected fighters , and 1 would b surprised 2 know that protecting a fighter is an old tradition as d sport itself .

[Rantcatrat]

Chris John and Felix Sturm come to mind. Who else is out there?

U can't b serious . Is fighting Juarez in d U.S and being denied of d decision is what u call protected ? or when Sturm had to give his title to DLH so DLH would have had some excuse for a claim (besides money) for d "Ring Mgazine"/lineal/whatever world middleweight title when he challenged Hopkins ?



Anyway , 4 me , d current most protected fighter in d world is Povetkin , but there r many more extremely protected fighters , and 1 would b surprised 2 know that protecting a fighter is an old tradition as d sport itself .

The operative word was "currently." Chris John is in a division with many top fighters and he's faced 0. His best win in recent years was Rocky Juarez. For a longstanding champion, enough said.

Felix Sturm fought ODLH in 2005, he missed fights with AA, Pavlik, now Martinez. He has avoided many, many challenges.

[roberto duran legend]

Chavez jnr ,this guy is more protected than a baby..

[Andre]

Chavez jnr ,this guy is more protected than a baby..

Haha. The truth in more ways than one.

[frankenfrank]

Chris John and Felix Sturm come to mind. Who else is out there?

U can't b serious . Is fighting Juarez in d U.S and being denied of d decision is what u call protected ? or when Sturm had to give his title to DLH so DLH would have had some excuse for a claim (besides money) for d "Ring Mgazine"/lineal/whatever world middleweight title when he challenged Hopkins ?



Anyway , 4 me , d current most protected fighter in d world is Povetkin , but there r many more extremely protected fighters , and 1 would b surprised 2 know that protecting a fighter is an old tradition as d sport itself .

The operative word was "currently." Chris John is in a division with many top fighters and he's faced 0. His best win in recent years was Rocky Juarez. For a longstanding champion, enough said.

Felix Sturm fought ODLH in 2005, he missed fights with AA, Pavlik, now Martinez. He has avoided many, many challenges.

Regarding Sturm u seem 2 me like correct .
Regarding John , maybe they r ducking him ? just maybe ?

[Rantcatrat]

Chris John and Felix Sturm come to mind. Who else is out there?

U can't b serious . Is fighting Juarez in d U.S and being denied of d decision is what u call protected ? or when Sturm had to give his title to DLH so DLH would have had some excuse for a claim (besides money) for d "Ring Mgazine"/lineal/whatever world middleweight title when he challenged Hopkins ?



Anyway , 4 me , d current most protected fighter in d world is Povetkin , but there r many more extremely protected fighters , and 1 would b surprised 2 know that protecting a fighter is an old tradition as d sport itself .

The operative word was "currently." Chris John is in a division with many top fighters and he's faced 0. His best win in recent years was Rocky Juarez. For a longstanding champion, enough said.

Felix Sturm fought ODLH in 2005, he missed fights with AA, Pavlik, now Martinez. He has avoided many, many challenges.

Regarding Sturm u seem 2 me like correct .
Regarding John , maybe they r ducking him ? just maybe ?

I don't see it that way. Gamboa is the best in the division. There is no doubt about it and before Juanma was shelled by Salido, there were two titans in the division, and John still remained in Indonesia.