Top American Heavyweights

With America celebrating its Independence Day this past Saturday, it’s time once again to review the countries most recent crop of top heavyweights.

There have been some changes from last year. Providence, Rhode Island’s Jason Estrada (15-2, 3 KO’s) needs to get back in the win column to put himself back in the discussion. Butler, Pennsylvania’s Brian Minto (33-2, 21 KO’s) and Ivanhoe, North Carolina’s Donnell Holmes (31-0, 27 KO’s) each look to make a splash by fighting each other in August. Chelsea, Massachusetts’ John Ruiz (43-8, 29 KO’s) may be closer to getting a title shot than anyone on this list. However, we’re looking at guys who are younger and haven’t gotten that big chance before.

So who are the best young American heavyweights?

You can narrow it down to two: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Eddie Chambers (35-1, 18 KO’s) and Riverside, California’s Cristobal Arreola (27-0, 24 KO’s).

Chambers is the most technically sound and skilled of the young American heavies right now. He’s currently riding a 5 fight winning streak since suffering his only career loss to former Olympic gold medalist Alexander Povetkin in Germany last year. Among the victories in his current winning streak: a lopsided decision over former titlist Sam Peter and a beatdown of the previously unbeaten Alexander Dimitrenko in Germany this past weekend. The latter win making him an eventual mandatory for a belt held by Wladimir Klitschko.

A fight with W. Klitschko would be a big opportunity for Chambers. It would be interesting to see if he had the boxing skills to negate Wlad’s height and reach advantage. It doesn’t appear he has the one punch power to drill Klitschko and score a knockout. Most of his stoppage victories have come via an accumulation of punishment he’s dished out over time.

While Arreola is not a mandatory for either of the Klitschko brothers, he just may be getting a shot at big brother Vitali this fall. Arreola’s exciting fights and KO power that he’s displayed on major American TV network HBO have garnered him plenty of attention, even if he has some flaws that are evident.

Arreola’s exciting destruction of fellow U.S. prospect Chazz Witherspoon last year within three rounds was followed up by three consecutive bouts with Arreola showing up at least 15 pounds heavier than the impressive Witherspoon fight. Against Travis Walker, he was dropped early in the third round only come back and score a highlight KO win. In his most recent fight he scored a fourth round KO over Jameel McCline, who came out of retirement for the bout.

Though it seems like a fight between Arreola and Vitali may be taking place this fall, Arreola’s chances of winning a belt may be better against the younger Wladimir. Arreola doesn’t possess the technical skills to outbox either of the brothers especially if his conditioning isn’t up to par as has been his recent history. However, Wladimir has at times displayed a suspect chin. Arreola certainly has the power to put a dent in that chin if he lands a big shot right on the button.

So who has a better chance of winning a title: Chambers or Arreola? Though I feel Chambers is a superior boxer and would win if they ever fought each other, Arreola’s power punching suits him better against the current titleholders.

That’s this years update on American heavies. Happy Birthday America!

EDITORS NOTE - I would like to include the undefeated contender, Kevin "Kingpin" Johnson to the list of top American heavyweights.