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The heavyweight division is the glory division in boxing. The saying goes that as goes the heavyweights, goes boxing. So how does it go? The Klitschkos reign supreme and apparently nobody can do anything about it. It's been that way for a few years now, and now the brothers hold all four of the major belts.

Heavyweight division rankings last updated December 2011

1. Wladimir Klitschko – David Haye was finally supposed to give Klitschko a good fight, but instead he ran around all night and Klitschko cruised to another easy win. It's 14 straight victories, 10 title defenses and 11 wins by stoppage in his current run.
2. Vitali Klitschko – Just as Haye was supposed to give Wladimir a good challenge, Odlanier Solis was supposed to be a good match for Vitali. How'd that turn out? Tomasz Adamek had nothing to offer Vitali either. So, who wants a shot at the heavyweight title now?
3. Alexander Povetkin – After beating Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers in back-to-back fights in a three month period of time at the end of 2007-beginning of 2008, Povetkin basically fell off the map. He's back now, winning a unanimous decision over Ruslan Chagaev for the (fake) WBA heavyweight title... the one that Wladimir won from David Haye, before the WBA branched off super and regular versions of the strap.
4. Dereck Chisora - We got to see what Chisora can do when he's in shape. He took the fight to Helenius and certainly deserved to win that fight, but got robbed in front of Helenius' loyal followers. If he continues to get himself into condition and fight with that kind of fire, then he's going to be a tough fight for anybody.
5. Robert Helenius -At 6'6", the Nordic Nightmare, undefeated at 17-0, represents for many the next "Klitschko-Killer". Of course, then he was extremely lucky just to get a decision victory over Dereck Chisora. Helenius has size, power and toughness, but he doesn't have a compete game yet. That was evident against Del Boy.
6. Tony Thompson - It's been five straight wins for Thompson since he lost to Wladimir. Next up looks to be a match against fellow American contender and Klitschko victim Eddie Chambers, for the right to face, guess who, again.
7. Eddie Chambers – Chambers did his best to get something done against Wlad, however the size disadvantage left him unable to generate any kind of significant offensive attack. He weighed in at 209 lbs for the fight, so one has to ask if cruiserweight is where he should be plying his trade. It's a suggestion he doesn't take kindly to, but it may be his best bet at winning titles, at least as long as the Klitschkos are around. That said, he'd love another crack at Povetkin, who is now a "titleholder".
8. Tyson Fury - The big man surprised a lot of people when he defeated Dereck Chisora, who had been widely viewed as the better fighter of the two. Now, there's talk of a Klitschko match, so Fury's people have to decide if they sacrifice him now, or if they believe if he can improve enough to become a real force in the division and claim a title a year or two down the road after more on the job training.
9. Ruslan Chagaev – After taking care of the sideshow Nikolay Valuev, Chagaev was gaining recognition as one of the best heavyweights in the world. After both of their fights got canceled, Chagaev stepped in to meet champion Wladimir Klitschko. Add him to the list of challengers who were "supposed to" against Klitschko, and failed to perform whatsoever. He had his moments against Povetkin but failed to capitalize and lost a close but clear verdict.
10. David Haye – Thanks for showing up to the party, David Haye. Way to talk yourself into a fight for 3 years and then fail to deliver in every way possible. Great job. With his skills, does he deserve to drop all the way to number 10? No, but that's what you get for that kind of performance. Already there has been a "retirement", and inevitable talk of a return. Yawn.

Other Names: Sergei Liakhovich, Odlanier Solis, Alexander Dimitrenko, Bermane Stiverne, Chris Arreola, Tomasz Adamek

More Boxing Weight Class Rankings:

• 175-200 lbs -Cruiserweight Division

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