Where do you rank Povetkin historically?

[Boxing Writer]

I know his career isn't over yet and things can change if he wins the title, but as for now - where do you rank him comparing to former title holders and top-conteenders like Maskaev, Rahman, Brewster, Bruno, Tucker, Tua, Quarry, Cooney?

[DrDuke]

Povetkin is definitely a big name in boxing history, despite not being a champion. I rank him higher, than Maskaev or Bruno, for example. He is somewhat of Tua or Morrison caliber. He is skilled and he is always a threat to anyone. I think, he deserves a title, I'll be glad, if he gets Joshua fight and manages to win.

[Boxing Writer]

Povetkin is definitely a big name in boxing history, despite not being a champion. I rank him higher, than Maskaev or Bruno, for example. He is somewhat of Tua or Morrison caliber. He is skilled and he is always a threat to anyone. I think, he deserves a title, I'll be glad, if he gets Joshua fight and manages to win.

I agree he is better than Maskaev and Bruno but I'd also rank him ahead of Tua and Morrison too. Tua was one-dimensional and Morrison had a weak chin. I think Povetkin (prime version) would stop Maskaev, Bruno and Morrison and would outpoint Tua. However, I'm not sure he would be able to beat somebody like a focused Tim Witherspoon.

[Perseus]

Historically?

Povetkin is completely forgettable.
Absolutely not a big name in the long history of boxing.
Competing in the four belt era he somehow managed to avoid ever winning the highest belt of any single organization.
Sure there have been some title winners who were probably not as good as Povetkin but that can be said about a lot of boxers, it's not a unique situation.

[DrDuke]

Povetkin is definitely a big name in boxing history, despite not being a champion. I rank him higher, than Maskaev or Bruno, for example. He is somewhat of Tua or Morrison caliber. He is skilled and he is always a threat to anyone. I think, he deserves a title, I'll be glad, if he gets Joshua fight and manages to win.

I agree he is better than Maskaev and Bruno but I'd also rank him ahead of Tua and Morrison too. Tua was one-dimensional and Morrison had a weak chin. I think Povetkin (prime version) would stop Maskaev, Bruno and Morrison and would outpoint Tua. However, I'm not sure he would be able to beat somebody like a focused Tim Witherspoon.

Well, I think in a similar way. Morrison, however, could have outboxed him, but yes, Tommy's chin was not too strong, while Povetkin is a skilled puncher. Witherspoon - yep, could be a tougher call for Povetkin, if he was ready.

Historically?

Povetkin is completely forgettable.
Absolutely not a big name in the long history of boxing.
Competing in the four belt era he somehow managed to avoid ever winning the highest belt of any single organization.
Sure there have been some title winners who were probably not as good as Povetkin but that can be said about a lot of boxers, it's not a unique situation.

Forgettable? I guess, he had some really interesting showdowns not to be forgettable. And talking about the titles - the guy had too much bad luck. First of all, being in Wlad's era and, secondly, those drug-stuff, especially before Wilder fight. Those accusations were completely unfair, cause after meldonium was banned, everyone in the commissions decided to forget, how long it remains in the organism. And back then Povetkin had big chances to knock Wilder out. He has those even now.

[RScarf1]

He beat Chagaev for the WBA heavyweight title and had a few title defenses. I think he will be thought of as good, but not great.

[Lackeos]

I know his career isn't over yet and things can change if he wins the title, but as for now - where do you rank him comparing to former title holders and top-conteenders like Maskaev, Rahman, Brewster, Bruno, Tucker, Tua, Quarry, Cooney?

He might possibly be a top 50 or top 75 all-time heavyweight. I have no doubt that he would clearly beat the prime versions of Maskaev, Rahman, and Brewster.

There are some people on boxrec who seem totally enamored with the 2016 Olympic medalist class and recent World Series of Boxing participants, but they don't seem equally biased in favor of past amateur elites like Alexander Povetkin, who won a World Amateur gold, an Olympic gold, and a world title. Not to mention that after losing to Wlad, he went on quite a remarkable tear that was befitting of a world titlist. Povetkin may not be tall and rangey, nor lightning quick, nor lean and ripped; but he is a thick, heavy-handed fighter with an extremely deep pedigree and a lot of skill. Povetkin's amateur accolades vastly dwarf dudes like Michael Dokes, Tony Tucker, Frank Bruno, Trevor Berbick, Bonecrusher Smith, Pinklon Thomas, Gerry Cooney, Michael Moorer, etc.

[klitoris]

In the Klitschko's era he's probably 4th best behind Haye (and Wlad & Vitali).

Haye vs. Povetkin was the one fight we unfortunately were never able to see.

[tiny_acres]

In the Klitschko's era he's probably 4th best behind Haye (and Wlad & Vitali).

Haye vs. Povetkin was the one fight we unfortunately were never able to see.

I'd honestly rate him above Hate at heavyweight. Of the Kiltschko era he's 3rd

[jamamb]

he has some place historically, even if very small.. remember that history is not one big blob, it can be broken down into periods and by type

a super heavyweight olympic champ whose been one of the strongest fighters in the division for over decade, one of the top hws of his generation, id say a top 5 (or 3) hw of the first post lewis era. russias top pro hw ever.

i think that gets him some place in history, even if small. nowhere near atg lists of course but with some rememberance. ppl break boxing and time into categories, so simply being one of the best in an era , or the best of a particular type (ex atg russian hw) can get you remembered even when you fall well of short of the greats taken all together.

so i dont agree thats hes an totally forgettable trace who will quickly be lost forever

[Kalan]

Well, I think in a similar way. Morrison, however, could have outboxed him, but yes, Tommy's chin was not too strong, while Povetkin is a skilled puncher. Witherspoon - yep, could be a tougher call for Povetkin, if he was ready.

Morrison was a terrible boxer... Wide open, super slow, and fragile as Hell...

Povetkin would ice him like he did Johann Duhaupas.... Peak Povetkin takes out Witherspoon like he did Takam.

Damn.... I can't get the image out of my head of Michael Bentt smashing out Morrison.... Herbie Hide murdered Bentt.

[asdfjkl]

Just below the Klitschko's

[BitPlayer]

He was one of Wlad's top wins, that's about it.

[Boxing Writer]

Just below the Klitschko's

And where do you rank them?

[oogiebe]

He's got one more run at a title. I'm holding off until he's done. The guy only lost one fight and that was to an ATG. He is an enigma as I believe he is either being ducked or protected and I don't believe he's being protected. If he hadn't PED'd he'd be rated way higher than we are doing. Let's see over the next 18 months.

[ValMar]

I think he should be among the top 10 HW , considering fighters who are/were active since 2000.

[gilgamesh]

He wouldn't rank among the Top 30 Heavyweights of all time, so historically he'll be forgotten more and more with the passage of time.

I would rank him ahead of Maskaev, Bruno, Tua and Morrison though.

[asdfjkl]

Just below the Klitschko's

And where do you rank them?

Quite close near the top, it also matters what way you look at it, do you compare it in their own era or in the current era. Because that's a world of difference.

[Boxing Writer]

Just below the Klitschko's

And where do you rank them?

Quite close near the top, it also matters what way you look at it, do you compare it in their own era or in the current era. Because that's a world of difference.

All eras since John L. Sullivan

[jas80s]

He's representative of the greater problem, how do you rank guys when there are so few significant fights in their career? All you can do is speculate based on other fights against guys outside the top 5 of the given generation...

"oh, he iced this guy, so therefore he would crush this other guy..." As if it works that way. Every fight is different because every opponent is different in subtle ways that don't show themselves in other match ups. Especially, when the guys are incredibly close physically and skill wise.

Where does Povetkin rank historically? Who knows....Truthfully, he's exceptionally hard to rank given he has one truly major fight and it was that "Twilight Zone" fight against Wlad. I think he was actually better than given credit for as he has some nice wins, but ultimately it's who he didn't fight..

And, of course, there's the PED question......

[HyacinthusTurnipseed]

He's almost had two careers, firstly as an excellent amateur who regressed from doughy but very promising prospect to doughy and flattering-to-deceive contender / belt-holder. Then after the Klitschko fiasco he came back better (somehow), leaner, more powerful, better stamina. Then, again, (somehow) fairly suddenly he started regressing, less powerful, more laboured.

If that run he went on after the Klitschko fight wasn't asterisked, he'd probably be remembered better ultimately. Still anyone who has retained a #2-5 rating for as long as he has is worthy of some respect. But then his win column isn't exactly filled with talent: Takam*, old Chagaev and green Chambers are probably his best wins.

So to answer the question, I don't know for sure, but not that high. Ahead of some of the names listed (Bruno, Morrison, Ruddock etc) but nowhere near the top 20.

[oogiebe]

He's almost had two careers, firstly as an excellent amateur who regressed from doughy but very promising prospect to doughy and flattering-to-deceive contender / belt-holder. Then after the Klitschko fiasco he came back better (somehow), leaner, more powerful, better stamina. Then, again, (somehow) fairly suddenly he started regressing, less powerful, more laboured.

If that run he went on after the Klitschko fight wasn't asterisked, he'd probably be remembered better ultimately. Still anyone who has retained a #2-5 rating for as long as he has is worthy of some respect. But then his win column isn't exactly filled with talent: Takam*, old Chagaev and green Chambers are probably his best wins.

So to answer the question, I don't know for sure, but not that high. Ahead of some of the names listed (Bruno, Morrison, Ruddock etc) but nowhere near the top 20.

This turned out to be a difficult question...

[gilgamesh]

I usually don't think bigger than a Top 10 with All Time Heavyweights so just for the sake of conversation

1. Muhammad Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. Larry Holmes
4. George Foreman
5. Evander Holyfield
6. Rocky Marciano
7. Lennox Lewis
8. Jack Johnson
9. Joe Frazier
10. Mike Tyson

11. Wladimir Klitschko
12. Jack Dempsey
13. Sonny Liston
14. Gene Tunney
15. Ken Norton
16. Vitali Klitschko
17. Jim Jeffries
18. Floyd Patterson
19. Riddick Bowe
20. Ezzard Charles

You could probably throw him in there anywhere from here though, and make a reasonable case for him. He honestly compares favorably with the last 3 names there as well I'd say, but I'd still rank them ahead of him.

[oogiebe]

I usually don't think bigger than a Top 10 with All Time Heavyweights so just for the sake of conversation

1. Muhammad Ali
2. Joe Louis
3. Larry Holmes
4. George Foreman
5. Evander Holyfield
6. Rocky Marciano
7. Lennox Lewis
8. Jack Johnson
9. Joe Frazier
10. Mike Tyson

11. Wladimir Klitschko
12. Jack Dempsey
13. Sonny Liston
14. Gene Tunney
15. Ken Norton
16. Vitali Klitschko
17. Jim Jeffries
18. Floyd Patterson
19. Riddick Bowe
20. Ezzard Charles

You could probably throw him in there anywhere from here though, and make a reasonable case for him. He honestly compares favorably with the last 3 names there as well I'd say, but I'd still rank them ahead of him.

Interesting list. Are you SURE you didn't have a lot of your heart in this more than your mind? LOL! I'm too chicken to go here!

[gilgamesh]

Yes I'm sure. I don't think most would argue that Ali and Joe Louis are 1 and 1a. Where you rank who is debatable, but they're USUALLY the slam dunks for the Top 2. Rightfully so.

From there it's a lot more debatable, but I tried to rank them all fairly.

I'm contradicting my earlier comment too because I said that I didn't believe Povetkin would rank among the Top 30 at Heayweight initially, but upon making a Top 20 list I can't honestly say I can easily think of 10 guys who were DEFINITELY better than him.

There's a whole slew of Heavyweights who are right there with him, and had no better or no worse of a career than he's had.