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A 91% KO in the heavyweight division becomes a problem that no one wants in the title picture

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2 months ago

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Nelson Hysa training with ropes, roaring during an intense heavyweight workout

A 91% knockout heavyweight fighter forces his way into the title picture and becomes a problem that few champions will be willing to solve.

Nelson Hysa continues to move forward without the defining test that usually confirms a candidate. He has the momentum, activity and knockout rate to attract attention whether the division likes it or not.

With a 24-0 record and 22 stoppages, the Albanian built the pressure through consistency rather than one standout victory. It’s not a time-honored path to competition, but it becomes harder to ignore with each fight.

He knocked out 20 opponents in three rounds.

Stripes with no answers

Hysa won two world title belts, tearing through the division without a real test.

After winning the WBO Global and WBA Gold belts, it became a problem that one of the champions will have to face in the near future.

These titles don’t make him world champion, but they keep him close enough to make him inevitable – especially in a division where the rankings and paths are already in doubt.

In the current heavyweight structure, challengers float around without direction, creating space for fighters like Hysa to gain relevance purely through activity.

Blocked paths, moving targets

It is unclear whether such a chance will arise for Oleksandr Usyk, Murat Gassijew, Fabio Wardley or Daniel Dubois as the reserve requirement situation remains stagnant.

Usyk is tied for a crossover fight while Wardley and Dubois go their separate ways in the same two weeks, leaving the bigger picture as crowded as it is unclear.

It is this uncertainty that allows Hysa to continue its uncontrolled progress. Heavyweights who consistently win and knock out their opponents become inevitable, regardless of how they got there.

As his position in the WBA rankings has already shown, a secondary title route may offer the most realistic path forward, rather than waiting for a direct shot at the main belt.

Now, working with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, Hysa finds himself closer to opportunities that could turn the momentum into a real title push.

Sparring with Tyson Fury only reinforced the feeling that Hysa was getting closer. His time in the ring with the division’s elite gives him a clearer picture of where he stands and how ready he can be when the opportunity arises.

Queensberry Promotions

Problems waiting for the test

For now, Hysa needs to stay patient, stay busy and keep the momentum going. This has been the pattern so far: building activity and knockouts while waiting for the door to open.

Soon the situation forces a correction.

Someone will have to say yes.

At some point, the race will require a true test against an established challenger, and unanswered questions will need to be resolved in the ring.

Until then, the risks remain clear. A 91 percent heavyweight knockout rate hovering just outside the elite level is not a voluntary choice for any champion.

The division will soon learn whether the “Albanian Eagle” is true – or just another heavyweight myth with a sledgehammer.

About the Author

Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN) and a boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.

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Boxing

Fans predict ‘0-7’ after Anthony Joshua lists heavyweight targets

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4 minutes ago

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June 3, 2026

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Image: Fans Predict '0-7' After Anthony Joshua Names Heavyweight Targets

This comment stood out because it reflected a broader theme running through the responses.

“I have to beat the next fight first,” one fan wrote.

“AJ is fed up,” wrote another.

“Itauma would humiliate AJ,” predicted a third commenter.

“The man is just talking nonsense, stfu and let’s see then,” wrote another fan.

Others questioned why Joshua had already spoken to Fury, Daniel Dubois, Fabio Wardley, Agit Kabayel, Moses Itauma and Deontay Wilder before joining Prengi.

This reaction shows how rapidly the opinion about the former two-time heavyweight champion has changed. Joshua still talks openly about becoming a three-time world champion and competing in the biggest fights available.

Many fans remain unconvinced.

Joshua lost twice to Oleksandr Usyk and was knocked out by Dubois in his last fight against a top heavyweight. These setbacks led some observers to doubt whether he could still compete with the most threatening fighters in the division.

Skepticism was evident throughout the reaction to Joshua’s list. Instead of debating which fight should come first, many fans focused on whether he could beat any of the opponents he mentioned.

Joshua sees Fury, Dubois, Wardley, Kabayel, Itauma and Wilder as the main options still available to him.

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Boxing

Tony Bellew recalls his ‘greatest night in boxing’

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2 hours ago

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June 3, 2026

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Tony Bellew reflects on his ‘greatest ever night in boxing’

Former WBC cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew has described what he considers to be the “greatest night” of his impressive 34-fight career; during which he faced players such as Adonis Stevenson, David Haye and Oleksandr Usyk.

Bellew began his professional career at lightweight heavyweight, winning the British and Commonwealth titles at 175 pounds, but losing to both Nathan Cleverly and Adonis Stevenson while fighting for world titles.

The defeat against the Canadian resulted in his move to cruiserweight, where the proud Evertonian defeated Mateusz Masternak in the fight for the EBU European belt, then stopped Ilunga Makabu within three rounds and won the WBC world title at Goodison Park.

Two victories over the legendary David Haye would soon follow, but the third defeat of his career, at the hands of Oleksandr Usyk, turned out to be “The Bomber’s last appearance as a professional, as the iconic Ukrainian stopped Bellew when he had no cards in the eighth round of the game in 2018.

On X, Bellew celebrated the 10th anniversary of his world title win over Makabu, describing the evening as “the greatest night ever”.

“My greatest night ever!! I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already!” #WBC“

The Bellew-Makabu card featured a wealth of Liverpool talent on the evening, with Callum, Paul and Stephen Smith performing alongside David Price, James Metcalf, Tom Farrell, Gerald Carroll and Craig Glover in an incredible display of Liverpool’s talent pool.

Makabu won the WBC world title himself, overtaking Michał Cieślak in the fight for the belt in 2020, and then defended the title twice before losing it to Badou Jacek in 2023.

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Boxing

Devin Haney responds after Keyshawn Davis moves to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings

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4 hours ago

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June 3, 2026

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Image: Bill Haney Explodes After Hearn Slams Devin’s Dull Norman Performance

The WBO champion quickly accepted a fight with Davis after the challenger rose to the top of the rankings

Devin Haney wasted no time reacting after Keyshawn Davis was elevated to No. 1 in the WBO welterweight rankings. The champion publicly welcomed the matchup, posting a low message on social media shortly after the updated rankings were released.


This is absolute theater and to look at it like everything else is to succumb to the promotional machine. The moment the WBO rankings dropped and Keyshawn took the No. 1 spot, Haney knew the clock was ticking.

Had he remained still or tried to minimize Keyshawn’s 147-pound inexperience, the boxing world would have immediately labeled him a shirker. By jumping on X and immediately matching the energy, he completely obfuscates this narrative. He begins to look like a fearless champion who is ready for everyone, knowing full well that posting on social media doesn’t cost a penny or require a contract.

The reality of the situation suggests that this is a calculated public relations move rather than a genuine desire for several different reasons:

  • Financial reality: Haney always strives for the highest possible bottom line. While the Keyshawn fight is in high demand among die-hard fans, it doesn’t compare to the massive payday of a potential rematch with Ryan Garcia or the other blockbuster pay-per-view opportunities that are likely at the top of his wish list.
  • Mandatory timeline cushion: Haney knows how bodywork mechanisms turn. Even with the WBO expected to order a mandatory challenge this summer, negotiations, price offers and promotional extensions could add months to the schedule. He has plenty of time to consider other options before the real pressure comes.
  • Risk versus reward: Fighting a adolescent, hungry and highly skilled fighter like Keyshawn, who has never even fought at welterweight, is a hazardous proposition in a title defense when there are much more lucrative, established names on the market.

Haney’s quick response was a great defensive move outside the ring to protect his brand. He gave fans an exhilarating quote they wanted to see, but when it comes to actual network deals, promotional arrangements and guarantees, the energy will likely change. On social media it’s uncomplicated to say “Let’s do this”; it’s a completely different story when the contract is sitting on your desk.

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Categories Devin Haney and Keyshawn Davis

Last updated: 2026/06/03 at 1:58

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