By JE Grant

Photo © Ed Mulholland/FightWireImages.com

As of March 11, 2007

Obviously we did not have a set of ratings out last month due to the fact that I’m out of the country. Look for the ratings to come out every couple of months until the end of the year.

The numerous silly forced rematches (Peter-Toney II), mandatories (Klitschko-Austin), eliminators (Ruiz-Chagaev), and optionals (Maskaev-Okhello), obscure some possible top matches such as Klitschko-Peter II. Perhaps young Samuel will consider leaving the WBC’s madness behind and go for the gold against the world’s top heavyweight.

Numerous changes this month and surely some controversy will ensue. Obviously Audley Harrison falls out of the top 25 after falling on his face against journeyman Michael Sprott.

James Toney tumbles following his drubbing at the hands of a suddenly skillful Samuel Peter. He’ll be back in the ring, which you can count on. You won’t, however, see a world title belt around his waist.

Other changes in the bottom half of the list reflect some activity by veterans David Tua and Tony Thompson and inactivity for the likes of DaVarryl Williamson and Luan Krasniqi.

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1. Wladimir Klitschko , Ukraine – IBF Champion (Last month #1) Does anyone have any doubts left about how bizarre the IBF is? Ray Austin was the organization’s top contender and he clearly did not belong in the same ring as a champion.   Klitschko is the king for now and only Peter looms as an obvious threat.

2. Samuel Peter , Nigeria (Last month #2) A clear win over Toney makes him a powerful contender to Klitschko – perhaps the only one. Let’s hope the WBC doesn’t punk him out of a   WBC shot again, but that’s not the real fight anyway. Maybe less worry about unification and more worry about putting on top-level heavyweight fights will net the sport better results. Peter vs. Klitshcko is the only fight that really matters.

3. Nikolai Valuev , Russia – WBA Champion (Last month #5) Some good fortune was thrust upon him against Jameel McCline. Still, give him credit, he was willing to engage and he looked as though he was in the fight all the way. He now claims to want a date with Wladimir Klitschko should he get past Ruslan Chagaev (which is no gimme, thank goodness). That will be the end of his unbeaten streak and his time as a titlist.

4 . Oleg Maskaev, Uzbekistan / USA – WBC Champion (Last month #4) Look for his people to do anything possible to get out of the mandated Peter bout. He would almost certainly lose his crown, and his entire braintrust must realize that. Through some convoluted method, don’t be surprised to see him wangle a date with former titlist Vitali Klitschko. He’ll lose that one too but he’ll get a much bigger payday. There is much to admire about Maskaev – he resurrected a career and gave a sterling performance against Rahman – but this WBC situation is ugly.

5. Sultan Ibragimov , Russia (Last month #9) A one-round blowout of Javier Mora served as a stay-busy bout while he waits for Briggs. He has a real chance at claiming the minor belt and turning it into something big.

6. Shannon Briggs , USA – WBO Champion (Last month #6) Sultan Ibragimov won a warm-up bout as he awaits the convalescing Briggs. The “Cannon” better bring his top game or we will see him deflated by a skilled and rugged contender.

7. Sergei Liakhovich , Belarus – (Last month #7) Nothing since his last minute melt-down against Briggs. Hopefully he does not go into another long-term hiatus.

8. Hasim Rahman , USA – (Last Month #8) Last we heard there was something in the works for a European showdown of sorts.

9. James Toney , USA (Last month #3) “Lights Out” is out as a meaningful world contender. He’ll still be able to make meaningful money as a stepping-stone. Tommy Morrison is calling him out and there’s probably real money to be made there.  

10. Calvin Brock, USA (Last month #10) A tuneup against someone named Ralph West is set for March on the Holyfield-Maddalone undercard. The “Boxing Banker” will need a few more Ralph West’s to recover from his crushing knockout loss to Klitschko.

11. Ruslan Chagaev , Uzbekistan (Last month #13) Set for showdown with Valuev in April. He can upset the talked-about unification between Valuev and Klitschko. Maybe if he wins he will simply step in for the unification himself. He’ll give up a lot height and weight to Valuev of course, but he is rugged. A real chance for an upset exists.

12. Ray Austin , USA (Last month #11) An above-average heavyweight? Yes. A legitimate top contender? No. Klitschko handled him with ease. Austin will win some tough bouts but he just is not a world title threat.

13. Lamon Brewster , USA (Last month #12) Continued whispers of a return to action should have fans clamoring for tickets soon. We need an exciting heavyweight in action again.

14. David Tua , New Zealand (Last month #18) – An OK win over Robert Hawkins in February keeps him busy. He’s not really impressive lately but if he keeps winning he’ll get into the upper echelons again.

15. Matt Skelton, England (Last month #16) Fresh from a startling knockout of Audley Harrison, Michael Sprott is next on the dance-card for big Matt with the British Commonwealth belt on the line. It probably won’t result in the kind of payday Harrison would have, but is nonetheless a bout that will draw a crowd.

16. Tony Thompson , USA (Last month #20) A recent win against Timur Ibragimov means he is back in the mix after a long vacation.

17. John Ruiz , USA (Last month #14) The “Quiet Man” hasn’t won a fight in almost 2 ½ years. He poses little threat to the top fighters in the division. Time for him to go home and declare victory.

18. Vladimir Virchis , Ukraine (Last month #21) A possibly rejuvenated Danny Williams could contend for Virchis’ Euro title. Williams isn’’t what he was just a couple of years ago but win against may push him into a title contest.

19. Jameel McCline , USA (Last month #17) An injury-forced stoppage against Valuev likely spells the end of title shots for “Big Time.” There wasn’t much time to evaluate how he was doing, but he didn’t appear to be beating the Russian around the ring.

20. Luan Krasniqi , Germany (Last month #19) After nearly a year off, he’ll face tough club fighter Brian Minto. He needs to win convincingly or he’ll be surpassed but a growing list of European heavyweights who can bring it – and are willing to do so.

21. Alexander Povetkin , Russia (Last month #24) – A quick stoppage of the usually tough David Bostice propels him back into the ring in April. This man has real potential to do damage.

22. Alexander Dimitrenko , Ukraine (Last month #22) – After some substantial wins, he goes in against cruiserweight Danny Batchelder in March. Strange choice of opponent.

23. Eddie Chambers, USA (Last month #23) A February win over previously undefeated Derrick Rossy to garner the USBA title, sets him up to climb the latter. Now 28-0, he keeps improving.

24. DaVarryl Williamson , USA (Last month #15) Nothing heard from him in months. Soon he’ll drop off our radar screen.

25. Travis Walker, USA (Last month Unranked) – Coming off his substantial win over former Olympian, and undefeated, Jason Estrada, the   “Freight Train” is set to return to action in April against yet another undefeated fighter, George Garcia