The future of the heavyweight division seems to be Europe and Germany seems to be one of the key boxing countries at the moment, this means looking at German heavyweights for the future may be the way to go. One of the most promising German heavyweights is Erkan Teper (7-0, 5) a former stand out amateur who won a silver medal at the 2008 Military Games.
Teper turned professional in 2010 and made his debut by stopping the likable and hard hitting German journeyman Marcel Zeller in 3 rounds. Just months after stopping Zeller we would see Teper in what was on paper another solid match up for a novice professional when he faced Alexander Kahl. Kahl had been in over 20 fights prior to facing Teper but the extra experience did little to help him as Teper finished the fight inside a minute.
After running up 3 swift stoppage wins Teper would be put in with durable Hungarian Sandor Balogh and for the first time Teper was forced to go 6 rounds before winning the bout on points. Teper was again forced to go the distance as he took on experienced American Robert Hawkins who was dropped twice though managed to survive the 6 round distance.
Teper's 6th fight would see him facing Jakov Gospic of Croatia in a bout for the WBC Mediterranean heavyweight title. Gospic would prove to be a tough opponent though was eventually broken down in the 9th round where he was dropped twice and eventually stopped as Teper won his first title as a professional.
Since winning the WBC Mediterranean title Teper has fought just once in a none-title bout stopping the experienced Cisse Salif who had only been stopped once in has career way back in 1999 by former title contender Ray Austin. The win over Salif took Teper's record to 7-0 (5) and now Teper prepares to defend his title for the first time against an opponent who is yet to be announced. If Teper continues to face solid competition as he has done so far we can expect him to be one of the big threats in the post-Klitschko era.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Tuesday, 28 February 2012
Dillian White
Heavyweight boxing might be dominated by two very skilled super heavyweights who use skills, size and their intelligence to control fights, though lets be honest we often prefer to just watch a wild tear-up with two men slugging it out. Yes sure brawls can be ungainly and relatively ugly affairs but they can also be really good fun as both men throw everything they have at each other and make up for a lack of finesse with pure drive and determination, it's this determination that makes British heavyweight prospect Dillian "The Villain" White (4-0, 1) so fun to watch.
White has come to boxing without a great amateur background though has been involved in other fighting sports and is a genuinely tough man who comes to the ring with a fighters mentality. As a result of his background White isn't a well rounded boxer, he doesn't have the piston like jab of the Klitschko's or the intelligent ability to out think opponents though what he does have is the mind of a fighter and the mind to adapt as well as the fact that he's not thinking too far ahead. White knows he's currently a fighter in training and with just 4 fights he isn't yet looking even at British titles though he is slowly but surely making himself a more rounded fighter who is using his experience to mold himself into a better boxer.
Based in London and under the tutelage of former Commonwealth Cruiserweight champion Chris Okoh the 26 year old White made his debut in May 2011 when he out pointed tough Bulgarian Tayar Mehmed. After defeating Mehmed over 4 rounds White was given a hard time in the gym and managed to improve his fitness before returning to take on journeyman Remigijus Ziausys. White would again be forced to go the distance with Ziausys who managed to steal a share of a single round. While White wasn't blowing opponents away he was learning a lot in the ring with 2 crafty and tough European journeymen who would almost certainly have helped White advance his skills more than confidence building blow outs over people there merely to collect a pay check.
To end 2011 White scored his stoppage win as he defeated Toni Visic in the 3rd round of a scheduled 4 round affair. Although it was a stoppage victory it didn't little in all honesty to forward White's career against a relative novice who did little to test the promising Brit. It wasn't long however until White would be given another solid work out, this time against British based Zimbabwe born veteran Hastings Rasani. Rasani against forced White to go the full schedule of 4 rounds and whilst White was generally impressive with bullish strength and determination he was shown to still have a number of technical flaws that hopefully will be smoothed off over his coming few fights.
This weekend White is penciled in to face Kristian Kirilov (2-0-1), on paper this is a bout that White should win with out too many issues and hopefully by stoppage just to instill more confidence in the emerging British fighter who adds his name to the growing list of Heavyweight Hopefuls from the UK.
White has come to boxing without a great amateur background though has been involved in other fighting sports and is a genuinely tough man who comes to the ring with a fighters mentality. As a result of his background White isn't a well rounded boxer, he doesn't have the piston like jab of the Klitschko's or the intelligent ability to out think opponents though what he does have is the mind of a fighter and the mind to adapt as well as the fact that he's not thinking too far ahead. White knows he's currently a fighter in training and with just 4 fights he isn't yet looking even at British titles though he is slowly but surely making himself a more rounded fighter who is using his experience to mold himself into a better boxer.
Based in London and under the tutelage of former Commonwealth Cruiserweight champion Chris Okoh the 26 year old White made his debut in May 2011 when he out pointed tough Bulgarian Tayar Mehmed. After defeating Mehmed over 4 rounds White was given a hard time in the gym and managed to improve his fitness before returning to take on journeyman Remigijus Ziausys. White would again be forced to go the distance with Ziausys who managed to steal a share of a single round. While White wasn't blowing opponents away he was learning a lot in the ring with 2 crafty and tough European journeymen who would almost certainly have helped White advance his skills more than confidence building blow outs over people there merely to collect a pay check.
To end 2011 White scored his stoppage win as he defeated Toni Visic in the 3rd round of a scheduled 4 round affair. Although it was a stoppage victory it didn't little in all honesty to forward White's career against a relative novice who did little to test the promising Brit. It wasn't long however until White would be given another solid work out, this time against British based Zimbabwe born veteran Hastings Rasani. Rasani against forced White to go the full schedule of 4 rounds and whilst White was generally impressive with bullish strength and determination he was shown to still have a number of technical flaws that hopefully will be smoothed off over his coming few fights.
This weekend White is penciled in to face Kristian Kirilov (2-0-1), on paper this is a bout that White should win with out too many issues and hopefully by stoppage just to instill more confidence in the emerging British fighter who adds his name to the growing list of Heavyweight Hopefuls from the UK.
Monday, 20 February 2012
Deontay Wilder
Since this blog was started I've had to pick and choose which heavyweights to write about and I've also had to use some form of "editors discretion" over who to write about and who to "ignore", with unbeaten American heavyweight Deontay Wilder (20-0, 20) being one that I've chosen to ignore so far. Though it's now time to give "The Bronze Bomber" his dues and admit that he is slowly but surely heading in the right direction after 20 fights and over 3 years treading water as a professional.
Wilder burst on to the amateur scene back in 2007 when he won two national titles (the 2007 US Nationals and the 2007 Golden Gloves) after having only a handful of fights behind him. The following year he made a name for himself winning a bronze medal at the Olympic games losing to experienced Italian Clemente Russo. Wilder seemed like a natural and with his impressive size (6'7" and 84" wingspan) he seemed to be perfect for the growing trend of super tall athletic heavyweights (much like the Klitschko's and David Price).
Following his amateur success Wilder signed a professional deal with American promotional outfit Golden Boy Promotions and it seemed as if he would be the big USA heavyweight hopeful. Despite the high expectations many had for Wilder, he progressed slowly with his management team taking an ultra cautious approach to his career. After debuting with a 2nd round KO over Ethan Cox in November 2008 Wilder would run up 8 straight opening round victories over novices their for a pay day as opposed to winning real fights.
Through Wilder's first 10 fights his opponents combined records stood at a measly 30-37-10 (as they entered against him) averaging a little over 7.5 fights a piece (with opponent Charles Brown accounting for 22 of the 77 combined fights). Some boxing fans we're being incredibly patient with Wilder, though many had become tired of him, the over-protective matchmaking had annoyed many to the point of not caring about him and blanking him from their mind. Just a few fights later boxing fans then wrote Wilder off completely as he was decked and seemed out on his feet against Harold Sconiers before stopping Sconiers in the 4th round.
Sconiers had scared the living daylights out of Wilder's team and they decided to take their fighter back down a level as Wilder faced Cruiserweight journeyman Dan Sheehan (who had been stopped in 4 of his previous 5). Wilder stopped Sheehan impressively inside a round though doubts about Wilder's chin were still being asked following the Sconiers fight and he was now 14 fights into his career with out facing anyone expected to put up much of a fight.
Though a busy 2011 Wilder fought 6 times and took significant steps up in opponents facing the likes of former world title challenger Damon Reed (who Wilder stopped inside 2 rounds) and 39 year old David Long (who Wilder stopped inside a round). Though neither Reed or Long are great opponents they both represented a step up in class and now with a record of 20-0 (20) Wilder will be looking to build towards a world ranking come the end of 2012. To start the new year Wilder will be facing the hard punching Chris Koval (25-8, 18). Sadly Koval is another step backwards for Wilder and has been stopped in 5 of his last 8 contests, though if Wilder steps up through out the year he may well begin to live up to the promise his short but impressive amateur career suggested he had.
Wilder burst on to the amateur scene back in 2007 when he won two national titles (the 2007 US Nationals and the 2007 Golden Gloves) after having only a handful of fights behind him. The following year he made a name for himself winning a bronze medal at the Olympic games losing to experienced Italian Clemente Russo. Wilder seemed like a natural and with his impressive size (6'7" and 84" wingspan) he seemed to be perfect for the growing trend of super tall athletic heavyweights (much like the Klitschko's and David Price).
Following his amateur success Wilder signed a professional deal with American promotional outfit Golden Boy Promotions and it seemed as if he would be the big USA heavyweight hopeful. Despite the high expectations many had for Wilder, he progressed slowly with his management team taking an ultra cautious approach to his career. After debuting with a 2nd round KO over Ethan Cox in November 2008 Wilder would run up 8 straight opening round victories over novices their for a pay day as opposed to winning real fights.
Through Wilder's first 10 fights his opponents combined records stood at a measly 30-37-10 (as they entered against him) averaging a little over 7.5 fights a piece (with opponent Charles Brown accounting for 22 of the 77 combined fights). Some boxing fans we're being incredibly patient with Wilder, though many had become tired of him, the over-protective matchmaking had annoyed many to the point of not caring about him and blanking him from their mind. Just a few fights later boxing fans then wrote Wilder off completely as he was decked and seemed out on his feet against Harold Sconiers before stopping Sconiers in the 4th round.
Sconiers had scared the living daylights out of Wilder's team and they decided to take their fighter back down a level as Wilder faced Cruiserweight journeyman Dan Sheehan (who had been stopped in 4 of his previous 5). Wilder stopped Sheehan impressively inside a round though doubts about Wilder's chin were still being asked following the Sconiers fight and he was now 14 fights into his career with out facing anyone expected to put up much of a fight.
Though a busy 2011 Wilder fought 6 times and took significant steps up in opponents facing the likes of former world title challenger Damon Reed (who Wilder stopped inside 2 rounds) and 39 year old David Long (who Wilder stopped inside a round). Though neither Reed or Long are great opponents they both represented a step up in class and now with a record of 20-0 (20) Wilder will be looking to build towards a world ranking come the end of 2012. To start the new year Wilder will be facing the hard punching Chris Koval (25-8, 18). Sadly Koval is another step backwards for Wilder and has been stopped in 5 of his last 8 contests, though if Wilder steps up through out the year he may well begin to live up to the promise his short but impressive amateur career suggested he had.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Sergey Rozhnov
When I write about prospects I try to avoid debutant as we don't generally know how well they will do when they take off the headgear though I'm making an exception here by writing about Sergey Rozhnov who debuts later today against former world title challenger Owen "What the Heck" Beck (29-9, 20). Whilst Rozhnov's debut isn't an easy looking fight (despite the run of 6 straight losses by Beck) the former amateur standout is expect to win with relative ease mainly due to his amazing amateur experience.
Roznhov was born in Russia back in the early 1980's though really made his name competing for Bulgaria in major international competitions in the last decade or so. In fact in 2004 Rozhnov won a silver medal for Bulgaria at the European Championships, en route to that medal he beat Mariusz Wach before being able to compete in his semi final against Roberto Cammarelle.
Whilst Rozhnov never won gold at any major amateur tournament he did mix it with the best names of the era including a memorable clash with current WBA world heavyweight champion Alexsander Povetkin. He's been described as a powerful technician and a fighter who had a very professional looking style, sadly however he has been someone what missing in action since 2004. Having seen how fellow Bulgarian Olympian Kubrat Pulev is doing we could very easily have 2 Bulgarian amateurs charging through the ranks on collision course.
Hopefully we will have the result of Rozhnov's fight by the end of the day as the card is being shown on Russia TV 2 .
Roznhov was born in Russia back in the early 1980's though really made his name competing for Bulgaria in major international competitions in the last decade or so. In fact in 2004 Rozhnov won a silver medal for Bulgaria at the European Championships, en route to that medal he beat Mariusz Wach before being able to compete in his semi final against Roberto Cammarelle.
Whilst Rozhnov never won gold at any major amateur tournament he did mix it with the best names of the era including a memorable clash with current WBA world heavyweight champion Alexsander Povetkin. He's been described as a powerful technician and a fighter who had a very professional looking style, sadly however he has been someone what missing in action since 2004. Having seen how fellow Bulgarian Olympian Kubrat Pulev is doing we could very easily have 2 Bulgarian amateurs charging through the ranks on collision course.
Hopefully we will have the result of Rozhnov's fight by the end of the day as the card is being shown on Russia TV 2 .
Tuesday, 31 January 2012
Joe Hanks
I've often found it really hard to find many worth while American Heavyweight Prospects to talk about on this blog and as a result it often seems I've spent more time talking about rising European fighters, however in Joe Hanks (18-0, 12) the USA does have a promising fighter.
Hanks, from New Jersey, was a solid amateur who often seemed to be described as having a style that better suited the professional game than the amateur side of the sport and in 2007 he put those comments to the test as he turned over. In his debut in December 2007 he stopped the huge 280lbs Joseph Rabotte in 2 rounds and then took 4 months to hone his craft somewhat before returning to the ring and beating Corey Winfield in a clear 4 round decision. Hanks would later add 2 more wins (both by stoppage) during 2008 before starting 2009 with a 4-0 (3) record, though he had yet to fight anyone who was really worthy of talking about, in fact it wasn't until August 2009 that Hanks faced his first real test.
After running up a perfect record of 8-0 (6) Hanks would face fellow unbeaten fighter Ashanti Jordan who was 10-0 (7). This was the first real test either man had faced though Jordan was favoured to win having been signed to Golden Boy Promotions and having had a very strong amateur background. Hanks hadn't read the script and clearly beat Jordan just dropping a single round on 1 of the 3 score cards. Jordan's hopes had been shattered and at the time of writing he hasn't returned to the ring (and is unlikely to ever do so).
6 months after beating Jordan we would see Hanks in his second test as he faced experienced journeyman Cliff Couser. Whilst Couser took an unflattering record of 26-20-2 to the ring he had once been a very good fighter and held wins over the likes of James "Quick" Tillis and Monte Barrett, and certainly knew his way around the ring. It took the still green Hanks just 142 seconds to dispatch his veteran opponent in what was a genuinely impressive result.
After picking up 2 more easy wins to take Hanks' record to 13-0 (8) he would face Johnnie White (who was 22-2, 18 himself). White was around the same age and size as Hanks and certainly still had belief in himself having only lost to Dominick Guinn and Seth Mitchell the difference however was that Hanks was simply to good. White's power was neutralised by the ability Hanks had and Hanks would take a wide decision.
Since beating White we haven't really seen Hanks step up a great deal, in fact his best win since facing White was against Alfredo Escalera Jr, a fighter who spent vast swathes of his career fighting as a Cruiserweight. Hanks did however pick up the IBA Americas heavyweight title a title that he defends this coming weekend against Cuban Rafael Pedro (21-9-1, 15). Whilst hanks is expected to deal with the veteran Cuban with out too many problems, it would be nice to see Hanks taking a step up in class again soon. Maybe facing a former champion (such as Hasim Rahman) would be a step too far but someone like Nicolai Firtha, Tye Fields or even Ray Austin could be good scalps to try and get, just to help Hanks get his name out there a bit more.
The video below is thanks to defymagonline
Hanks, from New Jersey, was a solid amateur who often seemed to be described as having a style that better suited the professional game than the amateur side of the sport and in 2007 he put those comments to the test as he turned over. In his debut in December 2007 he stopped the huge 280lbs Joseph Rabotte in 2 rounds and then took 4 months to hone his craft somewhat before returning to the ring and beating Corey Winfield in a clear 4 round decision. Hanks would later add 2 more wins (both by stoppage) during 2008 before starting 2009 with a 4-0 (3) record, though he had yet to fight anyone who was really worthy of talking about, in fact it wasn't until August 2009 that Hanks faced his first real test.
After running up a perfect record of 8-0 (6) Hanks would face fellow unbeaten fighter Ashanti Jordan who was 10-0 (7). This was the first real test either man had faced though Jordan was favoured to win having been signed to Golden Boy Promotions and having had a very strong amateur background. Hanks hadn't read the script and clearly beat Jordan just dropping a single round on 1 of the 3 score cards. Jordan's hopes had been shattered and at the time of writing he hasn't returned to the ring (and is unlikely to ever do so).
6 months after beating Jordan we would see Hanks in his second test as he faced experienced journeyman Cliff Couser. Whilst Couser took an unflattering record of 26-20-2 to the ring he had once been a very good fighter and held wins over the likes of James "Quick" Tillis and Monte Barrett, and certainly knew his way around the ring. It took the still green Hanks just 142 seconds to dispatch his veteran opponent in what was a genuinely impressive result.
After picking up 2 more easy wins to take Hanks' record to 13-0 (8) he would face Johnnie White (who was 22-2, 18 himself). White was around the same age and size as Hanks and certainly still had belief in himself having only lost to Dominick Guinn and Seth Mitchell the difference however was that Hanks was simply to good. White's power was neutralised by the ability Hanks had and Hanks would take a wide decision.
Since beating White we haven't really seen Hanks step up a great deal, in fact his best win since facing White was against Alfredo Escalera Jr, a fighter who spent vast swathes of his career fighting as a Cruiserweight. Hanks did however pick up the IBA Americas heavyweight title a title that he defends this coming weekend against Cuban Rafael Pedro (21-9-1, 15). Whilst hanks is expected to deal with the veteran Cuban with out too many problems, it would be nice to see Hanks taking a step up in class again soon. Maybe facing a former champion (such as Hasim Rahman) would be a step too far but someone like Nicolai Firtha, Tye Fields or even Ray Austin could be good scalps to try and get, just to help Hanks get his name out there a bit more.
The video below is thanks to defymagonline
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