Top 10 Worst Current World Champions
Ahead of what is possibly the lowest-calibre world title fight in recent memory on Saturday between Stuart Hall and Martin Ward, FREEbets.org.uk takes a look at the 10 worst world champions currently in possession of a belt.
10. Kiko Martinez
The Spaniard is unlucky to be in this list really because he is a very solid performer and has held numerous belts over his career, including the IBF super bantamweight strap which he currently possesses. However, two losses on his record to Rendall Munroe is not impressive and his crushing KO loss to Carl Frampton last year left him lagging behind the Northern Irishman in the division. However, somehow Martinez has picked up a world title since and Frampton has not had a shot at one yet. Boxing politics, once again, confuses all who behold it.
9. Beibut Shumenov
The Kazakh had a distinguished amateur career but as far as current world champions go he is not an impressive one. He has only had 15 pro fights in his near seven-year career and does not really have any good names on his record except a knackered Montell Griffin. He takes on Bernard Hopkins in April in a light heavyweight unification bout and his lengthy odds illustrate how far he is behind his rivals, even one who is very nearly 50 years old.
8. Sakio Bika
The Cameroonian-Australian is a veteran of 40 fights and it is his persistence rather than skill that has seen him become WBC super middleweight champion. Each time he has faced a truly world class opponent he has lost comfortably as proven by defeats to Joe Calzaghe, Andre Ward and Lucien Bute. If any of the top British fighters in the division (Froch, Groves & Degale) got their hands on him then his title would be gone.
7. Simpiwe Vetyeka
This is a little harsh as the South African just handed the legendary Chris John his first defeat in 52 fights but in truth it was something of a fluke and the 33-year-old will not be holding onto his WBA super featherweight title for long. He may have done if he had returned to fighting average opponents from his home country but he has been thrown straight in against Nonito Donaire who is a far superior fighter.
6. Richard Abril
Three losses and a draw in his first 22 fights is not usually world champion material but Abril has managed to get his hands on the WBA lightweight title after beating Sharif Bogere last year. With losses to fringe contenders Breidis Prescott, Henry Lundy and Brandon Rios on his record, he looks easy pickings for any high calibre opponent in the division such as Terence Crawford.
5. Carlos Amado Molina
Considering the Mexican once held a record of 8-4-1 after a loss to Mike Alvarado in 2007 it is something of a surprise he ever got near a world title never mind actually winning one. However, after a Split Decision win over Ishe Smith in September last year he realised his dream of claiming the IBF light middleweight crown. He is yet to defend the title though and it would be a surprise if he manages to hold onto it for long.
4. Kohei Kono
No current world champion has more losses on their record than Kono who has been defeated eight times in his 38 fight career. The 33-year-old suffered three straight defeats in 2010/11 and it looked like he was out of the world title scene but he has recovered admirably and is now a two-time WBA super flyweight champ. His first reign ended at the first defence though so we shall see how long his second lasts after winning the strap in March.
3. Stuart Hall
The North East native is an impressive battler but he is not even the best bantamweight in Britain never mind the world. He did brilliantly to win the IBF title in December in a brutal clash with Vusi Malinga but if he comes up against any real talent then he will suffer a third career defeat. He already has losses to Jamie McDonnell and Lee Haskins who will both fancy their chances again if given a shot at the belt.
2. Alberto Rossel
The 36-year-old Peruvian may only be the interim WBA light flyweight champion but he is not an entirely inspiring one of those to be frank. Rossel has eight losses on his record, three of them by way of knockout and some of those came against some pretty minor names in the sport. He has enjoyed something of an Indian summer and is without defeat since 2010 but he will hardly go down as a great.
1. Oswaldo Novoa
Somehow the Mexican got himself a shot at the WBC minimumweight title in just his 18th fight despite losing four and drawing one of his first 17. He capitalised on the opportunity in impressive style, knocking out the former champion in the fifth but with such a low win percentage for a world champ it has to be questioned how long he can hang onto his title.