'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Light Heavyweight division is regarded as one of the most exciting divisions there is in boxing today with future stars and established pound for pound elites battling it out for gold and glory.
Boxing’s all time greats like Archie Moore, Roy Jones Jr, Michael Spinks and many more have stepped into this division and given memorable matches which have thrilled fans and critics alike! Today the division is as competitive as ever and we look at the best there is in the Light Heavyweight division today.
-
Artur Beterbiev :
The former World and European amateur boxing champion is only 8 fights old into his pro-boxing career but has already made a name for himself in the industry. Beterbiev burst onto the scene when he humiliated former IBF champion Tavoris Cloud over two rounds and then knocked him out. Beterbiev has a perfect 8-0 record and all of them have come by way of stoppages.
Having good technique which has come from his amateur boxing background Beterbiev’s real strength is his pure knockout power. Ability to throw bombs with both his hands and coupled with good accuracy has made him a force to be reckoned with!!!! A fight with the current WBA,WBO and IBF champion Sergey Kovalev is looming large and would be a real test to his credentials.
-
Jean Pascal :
The Canadian is considered to be one of the best in the division and his record of 29-3 is a pretty respectable one. Pascal the former WBC and Ring light heavyweight champion has fought the very best and has given top performances against them!!!! He has victories against top class opponents like Chad Dawson and Lucian Bute. Even though losses against current champion Sergey Kovalev and veteran Bernard Hopkins have hampered Pascal’s momentum the way he approached the fights were top notch.
Pascal throws a lot of punches during the match and has good power in his hands too. His all out approach has got him a good set of supporters and a good fan base is apparent wherever Pascal goes to fight.
3. Bernard Hopkins :
The “ Alien”, “Executioner” are some of his nick names but one word describes him aptly!!! “LEGEND”! Hopkins is a true testament to the fact that age is no barrier in sports especially in a contact sport like boxing. The oldest person ever to hold a world title in boxing turned 50 this year and being 3rd on the list gives you an idea of how good he is. The former middleweight and light heavyweight champion is probably the most calculated fighter there is in boxing today. Everything from the stance to throwing punches is done with utmost precision and perfection as so many fighters have found out.
You have to be way too good or way too smart to beat “B-Hop” and only the best of the best have done that. His resume includes wins over future hall of famers such as Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Kelly Pavlik and many more. His future had been in doubt after his recent loss to champion Sergey Kovalev but Hopkins has come out and said that he is not done yet and there is one more fight left in him before he hangs up his gloves.
-
Adonis Stevenson :
The Ring and WBC Light heavyweight champion who idolizes Muhammad Ali started his pro-boxing career only at the age of 28 and considering what he’s done in this short amount of time it’s quite an achievement! Stevenson has a record of 26-1 with 21 KO’S and from that stat one can only assume his knockout power. He has decent skill set too: his movement and ability to take full use of his reach advantage have given him good results which can be seen from his record.
Victories over top boxers like Chad Dawson, Andrzej Fonfara, Sakio Bika and Tony Bellew certainly have raised his stock up high and with a unification bout with Russian Sergey Kovalev round the corner, Stevenson has turned into one of the stars who can “Lighten up” Boxing.
-
Sergey Kovalev :
The “Krusher” is seen by many as the best there is in the division. An undefeated record of 27 wins and one draw coupled with 24 knockouts in the process has put him in the pound for pound elite status. The “Krusher” currently holds the highest knockout win percentage in the division. Kovalev’s straight jab is one of the best there is and as mentioned before his punches can put anyone to sleep.
It’s not all about power for Kovalev, he is good at judging distance, has great footwork and defence which can be mainly attributed to the excellent amateur career he had before turning pro. Kovalev has victories over notable opponents like Jean Pascal, Bernard Hopkins and Nathan Cleverly. With fighters like Artur Beterbiev and Adonis Stevenson possible future opponents, Kovalev would have to be at his level best to keep hold of his title.
