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.

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.

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.

[jon09]

Heavyweight David Rodriguez 35-0.

[rosco1984]

Manny or floyd?

[Pugilistic]

Alvarez has to be there.

[Dark Lord Al]

Tyson Fury

[cnote111]

Humberto Soto - I even like the guy, but it seems he hasn't fought a top name as long as i can remember..

His biggest named opponents:

Antillon - Close bout, but still there is better fights out there...
David Diaz - Nothing to write home about
Joan Guzman - This was back in 2007

[Rantcatrat]

Humberto Soto - I even like the guy, but it seems he hasn't fought a top name as long as i can remember..

His biggest named opponents:

Antillon - Close bout, but still there is better fights out there...
David Diaz - Nothing to write home about
Joan Guzman - This was back in 2007

This is a good call. Soto hasn't faced anyone super tough and there are plenty of good match-ups around his weight.

[Master]

I think Cotto has been since he lost to Pac Man, easy win for the title, easy defence with mayorga. Ok Margarito is hard but this is on the back of 2 big defeats.

[Hulk]

Does Zsolt Erdei still have a cruiserweight title or did he retire or lose

[Althugz]

If we're talking currently, then surely Manny Pacquiao?

Sure his opposition hasn't been terrible but he has other forms of protection such as "catchweights" and fighting leftovers.