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

[Rantcatrat]

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

[generalbulldog]

JCC jr?

[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.

[Rantcatrat]

JCC jr?

That's not a bad call at all.

[Gandalf]

Cortez has protected Floyd. I guess he wins.

[Kev]

JCC jr?

That's not a bad call at all.

He's got Manfredo next. I actually think Manfredo can beat him. I don't think he will get the decision if it goes the distance, and like with Alfonso Gomez against Canelo last weekend, he will be stopped at the slightest provacation so as not to derail the champ, but I'm thinking he will win clearly more rounds.

I'd love to see him pull the upset. I'll be rooting for him, and checking out his hot wife in the stands.

[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.

[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.

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.

[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.

[Vendettos]

Carl Froch



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

[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.

[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.

[Galaxy]

Martirosyan maybe? Mike Alvarado?

[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.

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.

I agree about Holyfield. Povetkin does have career wins over Chambers and Chagaev. If you look around at the top ten heavyweights, that's better than everyone out there other than the K-bros.