: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:10 pm  

fredie wrote:

John Hopoate wants a world ranking and will fight in America this year


January 08, 2009

RUGBY league star turned boxer John Hopoate is scheduled to fight three times in America this year, with the aim of securing a regional title bout and a world ranking.

When did he become a boxer ?

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 12:19 pm  

over a year ago . aussie heavyweight champ now

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:09 pm  

fredie wrote:

over a year ago . aussie heavyweight champ now

That's the equivalent of being Albanian dwarf wrestling champion, and about as worthwhile a title on the world stage.

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:41 pm  

well well well . u come down under . and try an take the belt off him

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 1:45 pm  

fredie wrote:

well well well . u come down under . and try an take the belt off him

1 - I'm not Australian

2 - I'm not a professional boxer therefore am unlikely to get a licence

Kinda prevents me from fighting for the Australian heavyweight championship, but don't let facts get in the way.

Which Top 10 rated heavyweight did Hopoate beat to win this prestigious belt?

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:24 pm  

WBA : Nicolay Valuev Russian Federation
WBC : Vitaly Klitschko Ukraine
WBO : Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine

1 Alexander Povetkin Russian Federation
2 Chris Arreola United States
3 Alexander Dimitrenko Ukraine
4 Hasim Rahman United States
5 Eddie Chambers United States
6 Samuel Peter United States
7 Oleg Maskaev Kazakhstan
8 James Toney United States
9 Sultan Ibragimov United States
10 Kali Meehan Australia
11 Sinan Samil Sam Turkey
12 Ray Austin United States
13 Cedric Boswell United States
14 Kevin Johnson United States
15 Shane Cameron New Zealand as you can see 2 down under fighters

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:27 pm  

Andy Gilder wrote:

1 - I'm not Australian

2 - I'm not a professional boxer therefore am unlikely to get a licence

Kinda prevents me from fighting for the Australian heavyweight championship, but don't let facts get in the way.

Which Top 10 rated heavyweight did Hopoate beat to win this prestigious belt?

I get it, you're number 3 in their rankings aren't you?

Oh, and as for that list Fredie's just put up, whose rankings are those? Given that David Haye is in the frame to fight one of the Klitschko brothers next year, it does seem somewhat odd that he's not even in the top 15.

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:31 pm  

fredie wrote:

WBA : Nicolay Valuev Russian Federation
WBC : Vitaly Klitschko Ukraine
WBO : Wladimir Klitschko Ukraine

1 Alexander Povetkin Russian Federation
2 Chris Arreola United States
3 Alexander Dimitrenko Ukraine
4 Hasim Rahman United States
5 Eddie Chambers United States
6 Samuel Peter United States
7 Oleg Maskaev Kazakhstan
8 James Toney United States
9 Sultan Ibragimov United States
10 Kali Meehan Australia
11 Sinan Samil Sam Turkey
12 Ray Austin United States
13 Cedric Boswell United States
14 Kevin Johnson United States
15 Shane Cameron New Zealand as you can see 2 down under fighters

Well that's a first....

An Aussie taking credit for a Kiwi

For what it's worth there are 13 Northern hemisphere blokes on the list too

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:56 pm  

Hoppa is absouloutly awful. It shows how bad the heavyweight division is when Rahman is still ranked in the top 5.

: Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:04 pm  

John D H wrote:

Hoppa is absouloutly awful. It shows how bad the heavyweight division is when Rahman is still ranked in the top 5.

It's an absolute joke! We need a good champions, a people's champion! Haye will be the best for that.. some love him, some hate him. Atleast he's a character