by Corey E, BetUS.com – BET NOW!

Undoubtedly, when the heavyweight division is at its peak, it is a bigger online betting attraction than virtually any other sport or league. Boxing betting fans fondly remember a time when the division was filled with flamboyant stars such as Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and others, when pay-per-view numbers were through the roof and interest in boxing odds were at an all-time high.

While interest may have waned a bit in North America, the health of boxing overseas is extraordinary-perhaps better than ever. In addition, debate over the heavyweight division and who its top dog is, may also be at a peak.

Let’s break down the top five heavyweights from a boxing betting perspective:

1. Wladimir Klitschko

While The Ring Magazine may not (or shouldn’t be) the deciding factor on who is the lineal champion in a given division, in this instance, they are correct. Other than the WBA strap, the younger Klitschko holds nearly every title in the heavyweight division-the IBF, WBO, IBO and the largely symbolic Ring title as well.

Wlad’s fights may not be pretty, unless you’re a fan of constant jabs (not of the humorous kind), but he gets the job done for those betting on boxing. He seems to have escaped the ghost of Lamon Brewster, and after his destruction of Ruslan Chagaev, looks better than he ever has in his career.

2. Vitali Klitschko

While his older brother might not be too entertaining, Vitali tends to end his fights in spectacular fashion. Those betting on boxing props can wager with relative certainty that a bout involving Vitali Klitschko will end in a knockout. The Ukranian powerhouse has secured 36 of his 37 wins by way of K.O., and the fact that nobody is jumping to fight him right now probably has something to do with that.

He and his brother have stated that they will never fight one another, so one can expect these rankings to remain the same, or simply flip-flop for a long time.

3. Ruslan Chagaev

His performance against Wladimir Klitschko in last weekend’s unification bout was nothing short of awful. The only reason he is ranked at #3 is because he holds half of the WBA title, and a victory over Nikolay Valuev. Outside of that, Chagaev’s career appears to be over. Lingering concerns regarding Hepatitis B have blocked any chance of a North American crossover, and finding a fight outside of Germany (where the WBA essentially makes its own rules) in Europe will be equally as difficult.

4. Nikolai Valuev

Again, being a title holder must unfortunately grant you a spot on this list. Valuev’s fights may not be easy on the eyes of boxing purists, but boxing betting enthusiasts and general sports bettors are enthralled with the spectacle of a 7-foot man inside a boxing ring. A proper marketing campaign and a trip to North America may be all Valuev needs to become an even bigger star than he already is in Russia.

5. Cristobal Arreola

Boxing betting sharps may argue that David Haye should be granted this spot, but unfortunately, he has proven less in the heavyweight division than Arreola has. Sure, Arreola’s most notable win is over journeyman Jameel McCline, but he is a natural heavyweight, and one can assume, less susceptible to heavyweight knockout power. Arreola also has the power of HBO behind him, meaning that he is in line for a very big fight in the near future.