10 COUNT CRUISE CONTROL

Some of the most important cruiserweight fights in the division’s short history

1. EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS. DWIGHT MUHAMMAD QAWI

Holyfield and Qawi went to war for 15 rounds in 1986, with ‘The Real Deal’ edging it on a split-decision. They then ran it back a year later and Holyfield this time ended it in four.

2. JAMES TONEY VS. VASSILIY JIROV

‘Lights Out’ Toney, a former champ at middleweight, came out of nowhere to dethrone long-reigning IBF cruiserweight king Jirov in a 12-round war.

3. OLEKSANDR USYK VS. MAIRIS BRIEDIS

In the semi-final of the World Boxing Super Series, Usyk, the WBO champion, and Briedis, the WBC champion, stood toe-to-toe and delivered one of the best fights of 2018. Usyk progressed to the final via decision.

4. JEAN-MARC MORMECK VS. WAYNE BRAITHWAITE

In 2005, WBA champion Mormeck put his belt on the line against WBC champion Braithwaite and came out on top following 12 ferocious rounds. Brawling and then boxing, Mormeck showed he could do a bit of everything.

5. O’NEIL BELL VS. JEAN MARC MORMECK

After beating Braithwaite, Mormeck, the WBA and WBC champion looked to add Bell’s IBF belt to his collection but found himself unable to cope with the Jamaican’s heavy hands and aggression and was stopped in round 10.

6. MARCO HUCK VS. KRZYSZTOF GLOWACKI

This back-and-forth 2015 brawl ended with Glowacki, the undefeated Pole, dethroning Huck, the WBO champion, in the penultimate round.

7. EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS. CARLOS DE LEON

Holyfield, the WBA and IBF champion, went after De Leon, owner of the WBC title, in 1988 and cut him down to size in eight rounds.

8. DAVID HAYE VS. ENZO MACCARINELLI

In this 2008 battle of Britain, England’s Haye, the WBC and WBA titleholder, managed to stop Maccarinelli, king of the WBO, in the second round thanks to a series of big right hands.

9. DENIS LEBEDEV VS. VICTOR EMILIO RAMIREZ

Although expected to be competitive, WBA champion Lebedev thrashed IBF champion Ramirez inside two rounds when the pair unified their belts in 2016.

10. EVANDER HOLYFIELD VS. RICKY PARKEY

Few will be familiar with Ricky Parkey, but he was once the IBF cruiserweight champion and, in 1987, attempted to unify against WBA champion Holyfield. He was stopped in three rounds.