By Steven Pink: Boxing needs a healthy heavyweight division. The brazenly declarative nature of this statement does nothing to detract from what is plainly a self-evident truism. For all the excellence of Pacquiao, Cotto, Pavlik, Cabellero and Vazquez it is the sport’s heftiest practitioners that most often captivate boxing’s more casual fans. Seasoned aficionados may prefer the punch filled shootouts of the lighter weight divisions, yet a heavyweight title fight remains, for many, the defining moment in the sporting calendar.

Yet in recent years the paying public has been left decidedly nonplussed by the torpid fare they have been served. In establishing a vice like grip on the sport the Klitschko brothers may be doing as much harm as good to the their division’s long term health and viability.

Boxing commentators bemoaned the turgid lack of depth in the division before the spectacular rise of Mike Tyson in the 1980’s and some argue that we may be on the very edge of a ice age of similar proportions; yet perversely for very different reasons. The Klitschko’s bestride the decision, dominating headlines and generating media copy as easily as they toy with and dispatch their overmatched opponents-and herein lies what appears to be the fundamental problem. Boxing has sustained fan interest for 150 years due to its very unpredictability; the fact that one well aimed punch can cancel out all the arrears. Yet in dispatching a succession of challengers generally perceived to be unthreatening in the extreme they risk slaying the golden goose. Victims of their own excellence they may be, what is inarguable is that the sport risks public interest in the division dwindling to an all time low. In a way it is perverse that many in the sport bemoan the continued success of two clearly dominant champions. Success continually breeds its own ferocious brand of detractors, as Floyd Mayweather often volubly attests. Yet in continuing to win, while alienating fans due to their perceived caution (Wladimir) or due to their very dominance and seeming invulnerability (Vitali) we may never be free of the sense that the division lacks depth, unpredictability and above all excitement.

The most recent contenders defeated by the two brothers hold up a mirror to the current wretchedness afflicting the division. Despite both possessing glittering records Ruslan Chagaev lacked the size and ambition to make a fight of it against Wladimir; while Cristobal Arreola, at a paunchy 251 pounds, appeared to be a throwback to the days when men such as Tony Tubbs and Tim Witherspoon entered the ring to derision for their porcine girth and dough like physiques. Chagaev lacked the necessary incentive or ability to convincingly close the range and meaningfully engage the 1996 Olympic Champion, while Los Angeles’ previously unbeaten American hope threw away any chance he had due to appalling conditioning, despite doggedly and bravely attempting to take the fight to Vitali. Possession of a prepossessing amateur record or the rabid hype of the success starved American media do not necessarily guarantee competitive fights, especially when you are attempting to take on two superbly conditioned, impeccably trained and seemingly implacable Ukrainian giants.

So can it be said that heavyweight boxing is truly in a terminal decline? While a number of other divisions toil in relative obscurity, led by undistinguished or mediocre champions, heavyweight boasts two outstanding leaders, though the telling factor remains the potential for unpredictability. Unlike other weight classes there is little or no chance of seeing any meaningful unification fights. The fraternal chumminess between the Ukrainian brothers appears to permanently preclude the unification of the division’s perpetually sundered titles.

Paradoxically the upcoming Haye-Valuev tussle, for the Russians WBA diadem might just represent an epoch defining crisis point for the division, at least as far as providing impetus for change is concerned. Valuev, despite a lengthy run near the top of the sport, encompassing two title reigns, is perceived as dull and uninteresting. Indeed no more compelling argument exists for the current desultory state of the division than the fact a seven-foot giant with a 50-1-0-1 record is treated with relative disdain. Plodding decision victories over the likes of the antediluvian Evander Holyfield do not ignite widespread fan interest. While it is unfair to besmirch the Russian as this era’s Primo Carnera, he has certainly done little to deserve widespread acclaim. A Haye victory serves as a potential shot in the arm for the division, adding spice to the already bubbling pot that is the British punchers simmering feud with both brothers. Whether Haye, should he become the WBA champion, is capable of knocking either brother off their perch is a moot point; yet probability (and more importantly fiscal necessity) dictates that he will more than likely get his chance.

Should he fail who else can a jaded public look to for a convincing alternative to the continued dominance of the Klitschko’s? The consensus opinion is that to possess any chance a potential challenger would need to bring to the ring a truly formidable array of fistic qualities. Alexander Povetkin (17-0), while accomplished and possessed of the requisite amateur background, appears to lack the tools, size or power to be anything more than competitive for a few rounds. Eddie Chambers (35-1) is well schooled and savvy, though again he does not possess anything approaching a truly concussive punch. Young prospect Denis Boytsov (25-0) is exciting and hard hitting though completely untested at top level. Strangely it is one of the division’s late 90’s old guard that just might be prove to be the most competitive of all the current pretenders.

David Tua (50-3-1) arguably possesses the best chance of the current crop against either of the two champions. He owns the division’s best left hook, a truly crippling weapon that has accounted for knockout wins over Ruiz, Hasim Rahman, David Izon and Michael Moorer. His cast iron chin has been tempered in the furnace of elite level competition and emerged unscathed, despite taking the best punches of Lennox Lewis and Ike Ibeabuchi. Tua carries his power into the late rounds and his buzz saw approach might just provide a stylistic nightmare for the upright champions. Add to this a burning desire, at 36 years of age, to finally set the seal on an exciting, yet relatively unrewarded professional career and you have a man who would be competitive against anyone set in front of him.

Critics point out that at 5’10’’and the owner of a 70’’ reach Tua would be at a marked physical disadvantage against the two giant champions. An interesting point and one leant credence by Tua’s disappointing attempt to annexe Lewis’ titles in 2000. However the Kiwi’s desultory showing that night had a mitigating factor in a troublesome rib injury that reduced his punch output, confidence and overall effectiveness. Despite being handily outboxed over 12 rounds Lewis was never able to relax and he was certainly unable to hurt the tank like Tua at any point in the fight, despite possessing what many consider to be the most concussive right hand in recent heavyweight history. Whatever else one might say about the Samoan native there is no doubt that he will be in the face of either of the Klitschko’s for the full 12 rounds.

Tua has been inactive in recent years, featuring in only five fights over the last four years. However, as Vitali (no spring chicken at 37) has shown this is not an insurmountable barrier to overcome. Tua’s comeback win, against local rival Shane Cameron highlighted all of his positives for an audience that had been in danger of forgetting what he brings to the ring. At a relatively svelte 237 pounds Tua was poised, methodical and purposeful. Picking his punches carefully he displayed the patience that would be essential against either brother, especially Vitali. Yet when he hurt his man the old ferocity was plain for all to see. Looking like he had never been away Tua’s left hand accounted for three knockdowns and reduced a barely conscious Cameron to broken rubble inside two rounds. This victory has led to a projected rubber match against former champion Rahman, against whom Tua has previously won and drawn. Should he emerge victorious Tua would find himself one of a select band of the current contenders not to have already tasted defeat at the hands of the Klitschko’s. Further inactivity and a worrying lack of managerial clout on the part of his handlers (David has been plagued by managerial problems almost unparalleled in recent years) might yet serve to derail the Tua express. Yet one can hope that this recent eye-catching victory is more than just another false dawn.

The Klitschko’s polarise opinion among boxing fans: are they dominant champions leading the division into the future or potent symbols of the stagnation many see as infecting the sport? Fans, rightly or wrongly have often looked to the heavyweights to provide the keynote performances in the sport. Boxing’s heavyweight king is lionised as the baddest man on the planet and the signs are that people are turning away from the sport due to the perceived dullness of their reigns. It is certainly possible that in the future we might look back wistfully on the Klitschko era. Remember that both Lennox Lewis and earlier Larry Holmes were never so sadly lamented than after they had retired; despite being the brunt of ferocious criticism for much of their title reigns.

What both current titleholders desperately need are opponents to force them out of their comfort zone and provide them with a competitive challenge. Simply put what would you rather watch: a potentially thrilling shootout between either of the brothers and a resurgent Tua or a plodding series of mismatches featuring the likes of John Ruiz, James Toney or Eddie Chambers? I know what is on my Christmas list.