By JE Grant

In the month of November we will learn a lot about the future of the division. Wladimir Klitschko faces America’s top heavyweight Calvin Brock. Early in the month Sergei Liakhovich takes on one-time lineal champ Shannon Briggs. Once again, my thanks to Brian Bizzack and Troy Ondrizek - heavyweight trackers extraordinaire.

Perhaps of greater long-term importance are the bouts that won’t be on television and will gain little notice in the sports media.

A bevy of unbeaten hot prospects will meet in November. Damian Wills will meet Chris Arreola. Former Olympian Jason Estrada will face Travis Walker. How rare is it that young heavyweights with fat unblemished records square off? Such matchmaking is to be commended. The winners of these bouts will exit the ring with far more credentials than they could gain by fighting a dozen palookas.

Potential future star Roman Greenberg meets journeyman Alexei Varakin in Monaco. Greenberg is a likely easy winner there, but what’s important is that after this bout he moves to the U.S. to fight under the promotional banner of Warrior Boxing. Americans will be buzzing about him within a year.

Unfortunately the saga of the formerly great Evander Holyfield continues in November. He is scheduled to take on Fres Oquendo in a bout that will likely spell an embarrassing end for the "Real Deal." Oquendo is far from being a great fighter but all he has to be is good to beat the 43 year-old version of Evander.

Finally, there’s much buzz about the Australian "Superfighter" tournament that may include many of the top heavyweights and cruiserweight champion O’Neil Bell. The multi-fight format, all to be held in one day, appears to be taking a page from the mixed-martial arts world --- one of the few fighting sports that is exploding with fan recognition. The multi-million dollar payout is almost shocking if it pans out. Let’s hold off making any judgments about its effect on boxing until it unfolds.

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1. Wladimir Klitschko , Ukraine – IBF Champion (Last month #1) Klitschko is not wasting his time with also-rans. In Calvin Brock he’ll find a tough, undefeated, and smart fighter who can punch. Brock will force Klitschko to be sharp in all departments, power, speed, and boxing ability.

2. Sergei Liakhovich , Belarus – WBO Champion (Last month #2) If he cannot get past Shannon Briggs, his title-winning effort against Brewster will be seen as a mere illusion. Should he win, as expected, he should clamor for a shot at the winner of Klitschko-Brock.

3. Calvin Brock , USA (Last month #3) Brock’s golden opportunity awaits as he meets arguably the best heavyweight in the world in Wladimir Klitschko. Beating Klitschko would mean vast riches. It’s a giant leap for Brock.

4. Samuel Peter , Nigeria (Last month #5 Tie) The WBC never ceases to embarrass the sport. Peter who received a controversial, but fair, decision over Toney with the promise of a mandatory shot at Oleg Maskaev, was presented with a shot to the groin by the WBC which ordered a rematch. Look, Toney already leap-frogged the then-number 1 Maskaev to get a "mandatory" against Hasim Rahman. What gives? Why the special treatment?

5. James Toney , USA (Last month #5 Tie) Yes, we thought he deserved the nod against Peter but no, we do not think the WBC was right to essentially nullify the judgment of the ringside officials for the purpose of giving him another chance at Peter. Sam Peter won the fight in the eyes of the officials at ringside and thus should have received an unhindered shot at Maskaev. (By the way --- we won’t have any more ties in the ratings).

6. Oleg Maskaev , Uzbekistan / USA – WBC Champion (Last month #7) Once he gets past Peter Okhello in a December embarrassment, maybe we can talk about a serious fight. We can’t be surprised that the WBC is allowing this debacle to take place --- and we’ll say that even if Okhello lands a haymaker that ends it all. While Klitschko takes on a proven and undefeated Brock, and Liakhovich battles veteran Briggs, Maskeav chooses to go a very different way. Too bad.

7. Hasim Rahman , USA – (Last Month #8) The "Rock" still retains a number three rating in the WBC which could mean another title shot down the road is not out of the question. Nothing is scheduled.

8. Lamon Brewster , USA (Last month #4) Time continues to work against the injured former titlist.

9. Nicolay Valuev , Russia – WBA Champion (Last month #9) He came and he conquered – sort of. There is no doubt that beating the big guy will prove difficult for anyone. His size, awkwardness and sturdy chin require a solid all-round fighter to beat him. Barrett was a decent heavyweight, but Valuev is just a cut above his level. Look for Valuev to defend against the winner of the Ruiz-Chagaev match in Germany.

10. Sultan Ibragimov , Russia (Last month #10) The tough Russian has big opportunities, most likely is a shot at the winner of Liakhovich-Briggs.

11. Ray Austin , USA (Last month #11) A solid draw with Ibragimov in July and nothing since. What is the 35 year-old "Rainman" waiting for?

12. John Ruiz , USA (Last month #12) He signed with all the right folks to ensure that he has a chance at another title shot. All that stands in his way is Ruslan Chagaev. Ruiz and his handlers may very well have outsmarted themselves. Don’t be surprised to see Ruiz quietly lose and fade away. Always keep in mind, however, that John Ruiz has had more lives than any heavyweight in the game. He may have the last laugh.

13. Shannon Briggs , USA (Last month #13) The "Cannon’s" last best shot comes early in November against Liakhovich. His best shot in the bout will be in the early rounds with explosive punches. If Liakhovich is still there in the middle rounds it could be curtains for Briggs.

14. Ruslan Chagaev , Uzbekistan (Last month #14) Expect the tough Uzbeki to power his way to victory over a hugging John Ruiz in November.

15. DaVarryl Williamson , USA (Last month #15) Rumors have dissipated for possible bout withPrzemyslaw Saleta. It’s wait and see.

16. Fres Oquendo , USA (Last month #16) Fres will likely end the career of former great Evander Holyfield when they meet in November. A win in the bout proves little – and a loss is a total disaster. At this stage Fres is probably a little too quick for the 43 year-old. It won’t be pretty.

17. Matt Skelton , England (Last month #17) A December date with the formerly highly-touted Audley Harrison is likely all that is between him and a world title shot. It’s too close to call.

18. Jameel McCline , USA (Last month #18) Another fighter lured by the prospect of a mega payday in the Superfighter tournament scheduled for December. If this tourney happens McCline has as good a chance as anyone to take it.

19. Danny Williams , England (Last month #19) We fully expect that Danny will next face British champ Scott Gammer. It’s make or break.

20. Luan Krasniqi , Germany (Last month #20) After nearly an eight-month layoff, he’s scheduled to return to action in December against an as yet named opponent (read: palooka).

21. Tony Thompson , USA (Last month #21) A big win on televison against Dominick Guinn in June and nothing since. You’re blowing it kid.

22. David Tua , New Zealand (Last month #22) – Scheduled to return to action against shopworn vet Ross Purritty in November. A win proves little but at least it’s activity.

23. Vladimir Virchis , Ukraine (Last month #23) The EBU titlist will likely have to defend against Sinan Samil Sam early next year. For reasons we can’t figure out, Sam gets shot after shot at big matches.

24. Alexander Dimitrenko , Ukraine (Last month unranked) – The youngster earned his first signficant victory by blasting out fellow giant Gonzalo Omar Basile in Stuttgart in October. The win allows him to crack the top 25. Of course we must be cautious in ascribing great significance to the win. Basile had never ventured out of South America before and had never met anyone remotely close to the class of Dimitrenko. His fat record could have been an illusion --- time will tell.

25. Eddie Chambers , USA (Last month #25) The young Philly star is in the right place to continue his development. At 27-0, the 24 year-old has plenty of time to continue the climb if he has the real stuff within him.

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Prospects, fringe contenders, and others who need mentioning listed in no particular order. Don’t read the fact that they are listed here as an indication a ranking is imminent. Regular readers should also note that I’ve taken off some names that were here in months past who still rate attention. We're highlighting activity and when potentially top fighters have bouts scheduled you’ll likely see them reappear.

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Alexander Povetkin , Russia – The 9-0 former Olympic gold medal winner is set for a December match in Moscow. Soon, you can expect to see American TV outlets such as HBO and Showtime clamoring for the broadcast rights to this – perhaps the most talented of young heavyweights.

Chris Byrd , USA – Scheduled to participate in the so-called "Superfighter" tournament in Australia in December. We don’t think Chris is thinking about recapturing any titles anytime soon. Of course if he wins the tourney he’ll gain a payday bigger than he ever saw as the heavyweight titlist.

Monte Barrett , USA (Last month #24) "Two Gunz" gave it his best but it just wasn’t close to good enough to take Valuev. He won a couple of rounds but he went wobbly often. The stoppage loss will likely mean no more shots – although in the eyes of the WBA his loss against Rahman was enough to propel him to a title shot with Valuev. Nonetheless, at 35 Barrett’s days as a serious contender are done.

Oliver McCall , USA – Yet another possible participant in the Superfighter tournament. His classic jab will give someone fits. However, at 41 the multiple bout format may prove a stretch.

Joe Mesi, USA – Last fought in September in a four-rounder. Despite being 33-0, and holding some key victories years ago, "Baby Joe" still doesn’t seem on track yet. Eventually he’ll meet a top ten fighter and we’ll find out what he has left.

Chazz Witherspoon , USA – "The Gentleman" stayed busy in October with a three-round stoppage of Earl Ladson (now 12-12-1) to advance his record to 15-0 (9 KOs). The fight was held under the promotional auspices of "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon.

Gonzalo Omar Basile , Argentina – Were all those wins worthy of our notice? His one-round blowout loss to Dimitrenko in a mere 54 seconds obviously makes us wonder. He has a lot of explaining to do – preferably with his fists.

J.D. Chapman , USA – At 25-0, the 23 year-old has a bevy of low-level belts including the Arkansas, NABC, WBC Latino, and IBF/USBA regional titles. Of course none of those belts have much intrinsic meaning, but needless to say that if he keeps winning he’ll get shots at belts that do mean something.

Scott Gammer , England – Successfully defended his British belt against Michael Steeds in October. Don’t be surprised to see a match made with Danny Williams next. A win there and Gammer will be a player.

Denis Boytsov , Russia – The talented 20 year-old is now 16-0 (15 KOs). He has faced modest opposition to date but he seems to have a spark.

Travis Walker , USA – With his November date set with Jason Estrada, Walker has the opportunity to break away from the pack of young American up-and-comers.

Jason Estrada , USA – He meets Travis Walker in November in a rare meeting of two undefeated young talents. The fight will tell us a lot about both men.

Roman Greenberg , England (via Israel) – The talented 24 year-old takes on Russian journeyman Alexei Varakin in November before moving on the United States to fight for Warrior Boxing. He’s already scheduled for a December match. We have a feeling that American fans are going to embrace him soon.

Damian Wills , USA – November will already include a Jason Estrada-Travis Walker matchup of unbeaten and talented American heavyweights. The other big match will be the Damian Wills-Chris Arreola in a battle of unbeatens. Wills is 21-0-1 and coming in off a win over tough guy Cisse Salif while Arreola is 17-0.

Albert Sosnowski , Poland – The 38-1 (23 KOs) Sosnowski is set for a November shot at the most obscure of alphabet titles. It’s hard to gauge his talent given that his best victory is a 2005 six-round decision over a 40 year-old Orlin Norris. His single loss was to Canadian Arthur Cook in 2001.