SONAHR: HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – December 20, 2015 – ?Fracking? is the common term for ?hydraulic fracturing,? a process by which jets of water blast away rock formations to get at natural-gas deposits underneath. In the world of boxing, the world heavyweight championship was once the rock-solid possession of Ukrainian brothers Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, who between them held the four major sanctioning groups? versions of the title. The fracking of the Klitschko formation began in 2013, when Vitali vacated his WBC championship to enter the political battles of his beleaguered homeland. Bermane Stiverne defeated Chris Arreola in a box-off to determine Vitali?s successor, only to lose to current WBC champ Deontay (Bronze Bomber) Wilder in his first defense. Wladimir?s long reign continued until last month, when he dropped a decision to British behemoth Tyson Fury.
Even though he has not fought again since taking Klitschko?s IBF, WBO, and WBA ?super? titles, Fury?s partially-unified championship has already been fracked. Because Fury agreed to a rematch with Klitschko, the IBF has stripped him of his belt and sanctioned a title fight between Top 10 contender Vyacheslav Glazkov and undefeated but untested Charles Martin.
Not to be outdone, the grand frack-masters over at the WBA proceeded to split their own title three ways. While its ?super? title is in the hands of Fury, the organization also boasts a ?regular? champion, Ruslan Chagaev. Chagaev is scheduled to defend his fragment against Lucas Browne, another undefeated and untested prospect. And in October, the WBA fracking frenzy careened out of control when it sanctioned a bout for an ?interim? title. The protagonists were a pair of unknowns named Luis Ortiz and Matias Ariel Vidondo. Ortiz kayoed Vidondo in the third round.
On Saturday, Ortiz defended his portion of a partial crown by stopping Bryant Jennings in seven rounds. Jennings had gained credibility by going the distance in a losing challenge to then-champion Klitschko earlier this year. Ortiz crushed that credibility with brutal efficiency, ushering Jennings out of title contention, for now at least.
Meanwhile, WBC title-holder Wilder will be back in action next month, putting his belt on the line against Polish contender Artur Szpilka. Szpilka is no great shakes, but he is several levels above Wilder?s two previous challengers, Johann Duhaupas and Eric Molina. Although Wilder, as expected, stopped both no-hopers, his struggles against them were eye-opening. Wilder?s apparent decline since winning the title makes the Szpilka fight something of a test for the undefeated ?Bronze Bomber.? An upset win for Szpilka is not out of the question. Remember Buster Douglas …
When the Klitschko brothers ruled the heavyweight roost, the common complaint was that they were yawn-inducing performers, even as they defeated credible contenders and ducked no one other than each other. Hopes for an end of the Klitschkos? reign were voiced long before Vitali retired. Well, now the world heavyweight championship is a Klitschko-free zone. The division is wide-open.
And it?s all fracked-up.
