Five Heavyweight Matchups That Don't Involve a Klitschko

Since Lennox Lewis retired in 2004, most have considered the heavyweight division a stagnant pool of has-beens and never-weres with no real champion in sight.

However, with the re-emergence of Vitali Klitschko and a steady winning streak of brother Wladimir, a dominant two-headed champion has been crowned atop the rest.

Despite fighting on a level far above their contenders, the Klitschkos have not ignited much interest in the division. Wladimir fights with a robotic style and rarely takes any chances, resulting in repetitive and uneventful wins. Vitali is the far more entertaining of the two, but with opponents like Kevin Johnson and Albert Sosnowski, his fan base is far from burgeoning, at least outside of Germany.

Nonetheless, the heavyweight division is full of interesting and competitive matchups. Those matchups just don't include the champion(s).

Last Saturday, former undisputed cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek threw his hat in the ring of heavyweight contention with a sound decision victory over the tough Cris Arreola.

A few weeks before that, WBA champion David Haye stopped former champion John Ruiz to hold his title, and top ten contenders Alexander Povetkin, Samuel Peter, and Tony Thompson all made impressive appearances.

There is life in the heavyweight division, it just happens to be budding underneath the iron fist ruling of the brothers Klitschko.

Here are five matchups that don't include the Klitschkos, but would make noise in the heavyweight division.

Tony Thompson vs. Samuel Peter

In 2005, Samuel Peter fought 12 hard rounds with Wladimir Klitschko, knocking him down three times in the process, but still losing the decision. Since then Peter briefly held the WBC title and is currently on a four fight win streak, all by stoppage.

In 2008, Tony Thompson fought a competitive battle with Wladimir, but lost by knockout in round 11. Thompson is 3-0 since that defeat, with the most notable victory being a ninth round TKO over Chazz Witherspoon.

A meeting between these two Wladimir victims would be a terrific style match for the fans. Thompson would attempt to use his longer reach and wider punching arsenal, while Peter would clearly be the harder hitting fighter searching for a knockout.

Both have made it clear that their goal is a rematch with Wladimir. Winning this fight would certainly point them in that direction.

Odlanier Solis vs. Eddie Chambers

As an amateur, Odlanier Solis was a three time winner of the World Amateur Boxing Championships and a 2004 Olympic Gold medalist. As a pro, he has amassed a 16-0 record, 12 of them coming by knockout.

Eddie Chambers made himself clearly the top American heavyweight contender, but most recently lost to Wladimir via knockout in Round 12. It was a devastating knockout that left Chambers laying unconscious for minutes. One thing it proved was that Chambers is just too small for the Klitschkos, as most heavyweights are.

Chambers is still a gifted boxer with both speed in power. When he is matched with a fighter of his own size, I would give him a chance against anyone. Chambers and Solis are both 6'1" and have many options when it comes to their choice of punches.

A win for Solis would surely set him up for a title shot. Chambers would have to put together more than just one win, but a victory over Solis would certainly keep him in the top ten.

David Tua vs. Nikolai Valuev

David Tua is one of the hardest punchers in the game today. His last loss was a 2001 decision to Chris Byrd and has gone 14-0-1 since then. Tua has never been stopped and always has the ability to end a fight at any second. He is in the midst of a comeback and hopes to win a world title, something he has never been able to do in his career.

Nikolai Valuev is a two-time WBA champion and has only lost twice in his career. Most recently he lost his title to David Haye in a fight that many felt could have gone either way. Both of his losses have come by majority decision.

At seven feet tall, Valuev is a tall order for any heavyweight, especially the 5'10 Tua. Likely the Valuev jab would take control in this fight, but as mentioned, Tua can end any fight in the blink of an eye.

Either way, just seeing these two stand next to each other would be a spectacle.

Cris Arreola vs. Alexander Povetkin

Despite Cris Arreola's loss on Saturday, he is still a tough and talented heavyweight. Anytime he is fighting someone near his own size, he will do some damage. He has only lost twice, and both were to elite level fighters. He puts on a great show every time he's in the ring.

Alexander Povetkin is a 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the super heavyweight division. Two years ago, Povetkin won a four-man tournament put on by the IBF to become Wladimir's No. 1 contender. In the tournament he defeated Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers. He is 19-0 with 14 knockouts.

A match between these two would likely be the most action packed of all the matches listed. They both throw a lot of punches in combination and have well tested chins. Cris is two inches taller than Povetkin, so this would be a good transition for Povetkin to fighting the taller men.

A win for Povetkin would be huge, cementing his status as the No. 1 contender in the division. A win for Arreola would certainly refresh his career and gain him re-entry into the top ten.

This fight would be a shootout. Make it happen!

David Haye vs. Tomasz Adamek

Never before have two former cruiserweight champions fought each other for a heavyweight title. This fight would make history.

David Haye was the unified and undisputed cruiserweight champion. He has since gone 3-0 at heavyweight, winning the WBA title off of Nikolai Valuev and defending it against John Ruiz.

Tomasz Adamek was the undisputed cruiserweight champion, following Haye's move to heavyweight. Adamek has also gone 3-0 since moving to heavyweight, first stopping Andrew Golota, and most recently winning a decision against Cris Arreola. Adamek looked terrific in his win last Saturday.

Both fighters have significant power, but Adamek certainly has the advantage when it comes to chin. I personally would rather see them fight each other before either went up against the bigger champions.

This fight is by far the biggest match that can be made, not involving a Klitschko.