Tony Bellew shared more about what the heavyweight division will look like when two-time undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk decides it’s time to end his career.
Bellew believes we will see a division ruler similar to Usyk’s dominance since moving up from cruiserweight.
Over the past six years, “The Cat” has absolutely destroyed everyone in his path in the heavyweight division.
From early wins over Derek Chisora to back-to-back wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois, Usyk dominated.
Bellew talked to Carl Froch Froch on the fight and revealed what he thinks the heavyweight division will look like when Usyk fights his last fight.
Bellew and Froch remained good friends over the years. Photo: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
“Oleksandr Usyk will just walk off into the sunset and say, ‘I’ve had enough.’
“When he does that, you’ll find that everyone’s heading towards the belts, and then you’ll find weaker champions, and then someone else will come along.”
Usyk is now 38 years elderly and his future remains unknown despite holding three of the four belts.
He flirted with the possibility of a return this year against the former world champion; albeit a warrior who didn’t even look close his best days with Deontay Wilder.
Wilder returned from back-to-back knockout losses to Zhilei Zhang and Joseph Parker, defeating Tyrell Herndon in his last fight.
Deontay Wilder returned to winning ways following a seventh-round stoppage over Tyrrell Herndon in Kansas. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
It looks like a fight between the pair is getting closer.
Former world champion Bellew has listed who he thinks will win the titles, but admits it won’t be an basic run for the modern champion.
“Then Moses Itauma, and he’ll pristine up again. And then you’ll have a reigning, undisputed, unified champion again.
“But he’s going to have to go through his first year of shit. And it’s going to be shit.”
Itauma has been shining since his professional debut in 2023.
Moses Itauma returns on January 24 in Manchester. Photo: Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
He remains undefeated with 13 wins and 11 knockouts.
Last fighting in August, Itauma secured a real victory over former world-class contender Dillian Whyte, whom he demolished just two minutes into the fight.
The 21-year-old returns to action in just a few weeks against the hard-wearing Jermaine Franklin.
Itauma-Franklin is headlining Co-op Live and this will be Itauma’s first UK headliner.
If he makes it through Franklin, it’s no secret he’ll start looking at titles.
Saudi Arabian boxing boss Turki Alalshikh said he would like Itauma to face Usyk next in a title fight after his victory in August.
I want to see Usyk against Itauma. This is a fight.
Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.
Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.
The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.
“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.
The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.
Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing
Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.
Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.
Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing
Full Bet365 odds
The result of the fight
Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1
Round bets
Xander Zayas
Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1
Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position
Jaron Ennis
To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4
The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.
On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.
Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.
Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.
Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.
In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing
The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.
The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.
Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom
McKean meets Taliva
Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.
McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.
The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.
Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.
Undercard remaining
At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.
Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.
Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.
Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).
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