The Heavyweight division continues to shape up. A superstar has emerged in Anthony Joshua, and fellow behemoth Deontay Wilder is nipping at his heels. This isn’t a golden era for Heavyweights, but, as they say, it’s a process. With that in mind, let’s check out the current scene, what’s been going on over the past year or so, and what fight fans have to look forward to. Note: While Tyson Fury’s future in boxing is uncertain, I’ve decided to include him in the list. One, because he’s still (kind of) relevant, and two, because he keeps threatening to return.
Heavyweight Scene Overview
Game-Changing Fights: Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko (April, 2017), Tyson Fury vs Wladimir Klitschko (Dec, 2015), David Haye vs Tony Bellew (March, 2017).
Best Fights: Anthony Joshua vs Wladimir Klitschko, Dillian Whyte vs Dereck Chisora (Dec, 2016), Dominic Breazeale vs Izuagbe Ugonoh (Feb, 2017), David Haye vs Tony Bellew.
Biggest Upset: Tyson Fury vs Wladimir Klitschko (Nov, 2015). Tyson Fury’s scalp-claiming of Klitschko pales against Anthony Joshua’s, sure. Even so, however you feel about it, Fury’s narrow points decision was totally unexpected. Will Fury return to the ring and build upon his legacy? David Haye vs Tony Bellew is an honorable mention.
KO Kings: Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KO), Deontay Wilder (39-0, 38 KO). See Boxing Base’s Top 10 Hardest Hitters on the Planet.
Best Boxers: Anthony Joshua (20-0, 20 KO), Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KO). I’ll throw in Tony Bellew (29-2-1, 19 KO) with a pinch of salt, too.
Division Top Dogs: See the Boxing Base Top 10 Heavyweight Rankings.
Noteworthy Top 10 Outsiders: Lucas Browne (25-0, 22 KO), Andy Ruiz Jr (29-1, 19 KO), Carlos Takam (35-4-1, 27 KO), Dominic Breazeale (19-1, 17 KO), Dillian Whyte (22-1, 16 KO), Kubrat Pulev (25-1, 13 KO).
Best Prospect: Daniel Dubois (5-0, 5 KO). Eddie Hearn has another beaming Heavyweight prospect in his Matchroom stable, and the 20-year-old Dubois looks set to make bigger ripples in 2018. Reminiscent of Anthony Joshua’s early career, Dubois is systematically pulverizing his opposition.
Most Protected: No one in particular. Deontay Wilder could have made the cut, but it feels unjustified since he was booked into ill-fated meetings with contenders Alexander Povetkin and Luis Ortiz (who both flunked doping tests). Undefeated climber Jarrell Miller (19-0-1, 17 KO) is probably a better shout, but again, probably unwarranted at this moment.
Most Avoided: Luis Ortiz (27-0, 23 KO). But it’s not so cut and dry. The heavy-handed Cuban has looked dangerous and technically versatile for some time, making bold statements against Bryant Jennings (2015) and Tony Thompson (2016). Ortiz has, however, dropped off the map more recently following a dud with Malik Scott, followed by a tougher than expected outing with a durable albeit limited David Allen. Ortiz then failed a doping test in the lead up to a fight with Deontay Wilder.
Big Upcoming Fights: None currently scheduled. Obviously the fight most of us are clamoring for is Joshua vs Wilder, and I’m leaning towards it getting the green light in 2018. Because, you know, money.
Winners in Defeat: Dillian Whyte (16-1, 13 KO), Carlos Takam. For being surprisingly competitive against Anthony Joshua. Wladimir Klitschko, even more so, for dropping and coming awfully close to beating Joshua. Notable mentions: Artur Szpilka for making Deontay Wilder work before getting blitzed, and for David Haye, who was humbled – albeit definitely hobbled – against Tony Bellew.
Back With a Bang: Dominic Breazeale isn’t considered a frontrunner, but you’ve got to admire the man’s fortitude. Breazeale has bounced straight back from a punishing knockout defeat against Anthony Joshua last year and built some nice momentum. Breazeale got the last word in his war with Izuagbe Ugonoh, and most recently retired Eric Molina, back-to-back in 2017.
On the Way Down: Derek Chisora (27-8, 19 KO), Eric Molina (26-5, 19 KO), Robert Helenius (25-2, 16 KO), Bermane Stiverne (25-3-1, 21 KO).
Off the Radar: Charles Martin (25-1-1, 23 KO). Martin has always been a questionable contender and, really, remains one. Anthony Joshua dispatched of Martin with ease in 2016, which is probably the reason why Martin is moving closer to obscurity.
Down & Out?: David Haye (28-3, 26 KO). Most of us expected the ‘Hayemaker’ to dispose of Heavyweight newcomer Tony Bellew, but Haye’s calculated comeback was thwarted that night. Partly because Bellew brought his A-game, but perhaps more so because father time showed up. Haye suffered a ruptured achilles tendon and has since pulled out of a rematch with a torn bicep. Has Haye’s body finally thrown the towel in?
In Limbo: Tyson Fury. Will he return? Won’t he? Jeez – who the hell knows! The former unified Heavyweight world champion has been out of the fight game for almost two years, and serious ambitions to return to the ring are up for speculation.
Chasing Redemption: Alexander Povetkin (23-1, 23 KO), Luis Ortiz, Lucas Browne. These guys have suffered major career derailment following recent doping scandals. Enough said.
Is He the Real Deal?: Joseph Parker (24-0, 18 KO), Hughie Fury (20-1, 10 KO). Both men produced a magnificent snoozefest of a championship bout in September, which raised a horde of questions surrounding where their ceiling might be in Heavyweight boxing.
Dream Fights: Anthony Joshua vs Deontay Wilder. Simply because it’s the most meaningful fight out there at Heavyweight. There’s an argument for Tyson Fury vs Joshua/Wilder being in that discussion, but, honestly, I can’t entertain the idea of either while Fury’s return remains uncertain.
Time to Hang Em’ Up: Shannon Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KO). There’s a few names that probably belong here, but Briggs stands out the most. The 45-year-old does more talking than fighting these days, and it seems like no promoter on earth wants anything to do with him. Briggs featured on the Haye vs Gjergjaj undercard, but, now that Haye’s career is itself in jeopardy, Briggs really doesn’t have a lot of meaningful options.
Thanks for the Memories: Wladimir Klitschko (64-5, 53 KO). The future Hall-of-Famer may have reigned in a notably diluted Heavyweight era, but Klitschko’s consistency is nothing to be scoffed at. Prior to retiring this year, Klitschko was stopped by Anthony Joshua – but the fight itself was the most enthralling Heavyweight championship in recent memory. ‘Dr Steelhammer’ went out with a bang, earning the long-denied praise of Western fans.
So what’s your take on the current Heavyweight scene? And what can we expect over the course of the following year?
