Why Heavyweight Boxing Can't Get Back On Its Feet

I love boxing, it is one of the greatest sports ever. Within boxing, the heavyweight division carries the flag for the casual observer.

I try to love the heavyweight division, I really do. I defend it, even if I know its wrong. I like big guys punching each other in the face, it is lovely.

I love the Klitschkos too. I think they are underrated and deserve more respect. However, upon hearing that a Vitali Klitschko vs. Nikolay Valuev match fell through, I wasn’t very disappointed.

That wasn’t going to be a good fight, and I was interested in seeing who Klitschko was going to target next. Then today I see he is fighting Albert Sosnowski (45-2-1 27 KO). My heart dropped with disappointment.

This is the exact reason why the heavyweight division is not taken seriously. I have seen Sosnowski fight and know his name, but outside of really hardcore boxing fans, he is 100 percent unknown.

He is unknown for a good reason too: he hasn’t beaten a top 20 fighter. How he got a title shot at what used to be the most prestigious title in sports is beyond me.

His best win came against Danny Williams, who is a hit-or-miss fighter. He has okay wins over South African Heavyweight titleholder Osborne Machimana and over the hill cruiserweight Orlin Norris.

He wont the EBU (European) heavyweight title against Paolo Vidoz in his last fight. His one draw came against interesting prospect Francesco Pianeta.

The two losses, you ask? Well, this the bad part. He lost an early fight to Arthur Cook; that’s fine, fighters lose early in their career.

The second loss is the red flag. He lost to Zuri Lawrence.

Yes, the same Zuri Lawrence who has no knockouts in 24 wins, and has 15 losses. This loss came only two years ago, so there is no excusing it.

His power hasn’t shown up against a top level opponent outside of Danny Williams. Receiving a title fight with one good win, two okay wins, and a horrible loss is just insane.

Klitschko is one of, if not the best, heavyweights since Lennox Lewis retired; he's beaten at least eight top level opponents, and many more contenders. He has held the heavyweight title three times, and has been a top level heavyweight since 1999.

But, I have seen crazier things than a Sosnowski upset: Vitali himself went from a EBU title to the world championship, so this isn’t anything that is totally new. The difference is he wasn’t facing the second best or best heavyweight at the time.

He beat Herbie Hide to win the WBO title. This fight could end up being competitive, but who really cares besides people in Germany and Klitschko fans?

I am Polish and so is Sosnowski, but even I have a hard time finding this fight interesting. I would love to see a Polish heavyweight champion, but come on: is this really the right fight?

I love boxing and the heavyweight division, but will you please make it easier to defend the sport to the non-boxing fan? I give you my unconditional love, and this is what I get in return? Please just make it easier to defend you. Pretty please?