After Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury created a classic in their undisputed world heavyweight title fight, you wondered if they were in a league of their own.
In a thrilling fight, Usyk (22-0, 14 KO) won a split decision after coming close to stopping Fury (34-1-1, 24 KO) in a tumultuous ninth round on Saturday night at the Kingdom Arena in Riyad. Saudi Arabia. Fury, who was counted out in round 9, had his moments and controlled the early rounds.
Former world champion Anthony Joshua leads the pack chasing Fury and Usyk in terms of form, stature and profile, but who are the heavyweight contenders to watch out for who could be fighting for titles soon?
Some of the top names in the division have suffered recent setbacks or have looked far from dominant in recent fights. Meanwhile, some emerging players are climbing the ranks.
Here are the fighters in the title fight, starting with the rising Joshua.
Top contender
Joshua (28-3, 25 KO) is probably in the best shape of any fighter on this list. The 34-year-old recovered from consecutive decision losses to Usyk (2021 and 2022) and a stoppage defeat to Andy Ruiz Jr. (2019) to prepare for what is expected to be a breakthrough for the vacant IBF title on September 21.
Joshua looked cautious and nervous during his unanimous decision victory over Jermaine Franklin Jr. following a second loss to Usyk, but he has continued to improve in each of his last three fights, culminating in a vicious second-round KO of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis. Ngannou in March. Ngannou was a two-fight novice to professional boxing, but he defeated Fury by split decision last October.
The two-time heavyweight champion is in hazardous form and his confidence has seemingly been fully restored. Ngannou’s knockout was one of the best finishes of his professional career, which began after winning a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics.
And all the biggest fights in the heavyweight division, apart from the Fury vs. Usyk rematch, involve Joshua. Joshua vs. Fury, after previous attempts to match their English rivals had failed when both were champions; Joshua vs. Usyk III and Joshua vs. former champion Deontay Wilder.
However, Joshua, who reigned as champion from 2016-2019 and then 2019-2021, will first focus on regaining his world title before taking on one of the bigger names.
Middle of the pack
While Joshua, who was at ringside on Saturday, is climbing to the top, the others at the front have fallen. Former interim champion Joe Joyce is in the process of rebuilding his career after being stopped in back-to-back fights by Zhilei Zhang (26-2-1, 21 KO), a 41-year-old from China who seemed to be on the edge of the world fighting for the title , until he lost a majority decision to Joseph Parker in March.
Zhang isn’t the most mobile in the ring, but his punches are deceptively damaging, as we saw in his match against Joyce. But he could be an effortless target for the extremely striking Wilder (43-3-1, 42 KO), a former WBC champion who insists he has rediscovered his motivation for boxing. Wilder and Zhang will meet on June 1, and both need to win to ensure they remain in the frame for huge fights and huge paydays.
Wilder was at the top of the heavyweight division for some time during his five-year reign until Fury stopped him in seven rounds in 2020, a rematch of a draw in December 2018. Fury knocked out Wilder again in 2021, and the 38-year-old American has since he fought only twice during that time, defeating Robert Helenius in a round, but then looked terrible in a one-sided decision loss to Parker in December.
Like Joshua, Parker (35-3, 23 KO) has recently returned to form. The 32-year-old Modern Zealander disarmed Wilder’s explosive power and won by unanimous decision. The victory brought Parker, a former WBO champion, back into contention and as a top contender for the WBO title, he can expect a chance to fight whoever wins the title next year.
Parker, a good friend of Fury’s who trains with the “Gypsy King” in Morecambe, England, has looked great in his last two fights and has now recorded five straight wins. Joshua overtook Parker in 2018 and a rematch could be on the cards if Joshua vs. Fury doesn’t happen soon.
Agit Kabayel will also play a role in title fights over the next 18 months after impressively stopping Frank Sanchez with seventh-round body shots in a WBC title eliminator on the Fury vs. Usyk.
Kabayel (25-0, 17 KO), of Germany, dropped Sanchez (24-1, 17 KO), 31, first with a two-punch combination to the body and then with a left jab for the knockout. However, Sanchez posed a confined threat and there are better players in the league than 31-year-old Kabayel.
Ruiz (35-2, 22 KO) and Jarrell “Gigantic Baby” Miller, who will clash in a heavyweight bout on Aug. 3, have also fallen in the rankings. Ruiz, a former WBA, IBF and WBO champion, returns from a nearly two-year hiatus after failing to capitalize on a shock stoppage of Joshua five years ago. Miller was retained by Daniel Dubois in December and similarly faded from prominence.
Filip Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KO), a 31-year-old from Zagreb, Croatia, is another fighter who has failed to convince recently. Perhaps he was treading carefully as he waited as the mandatory challenger for the IBF world title. He was part of a nap fight last August against Demsey McKean, then barely broke a sweat against veteran Mark de Mori. His decision to win over Zhang in 2022 was also controversial. However, if Hrgovic can handle Dubois, he could fight Joshua in September and establish himself as one of the main players in the division.
The next generation
Jared Anderson (17-0, 15 KO), perhaps the best hope for a future American to hold the world heavyweight title, has yet to arouse enthusiasm and wide-scale interest. Anderson, from Toledo, Ohio, is only 24 years antique and in the top five in the rankings with three of the world’s four governing bodies, so a world title shot is no longer in the distant future. His program for next year will probably include a fight with a bigger name opponent.
Dubois (20-2, 19 KO) showed weakness in losses to Joyce and Usyk, but showed hazardous strength. The 26-year-old is younger than the likes of Joyce, but he too will lose momentum and status if he is beaten in Saudi Arabia on June 1 by the more experienced Hrgovic.
Moses Itauma (9-0, 7 KO), who also took part in the action in Riyad, is a prospect of the distant future. The 19-year-old Englishman defeated Ilja Mezencev in two rounds in a heavyweight fight. He recorded six of his nine wins by first-round KO and it was another display of his quick hands and strength.
English rivals Fabio Wardley (17-0-1, 16 KO) and Frazer Clarke (8-0-1, 6 KO) recently achieved a brilliant draw, but they are still out of the fight for the world title. Efe Ajagba (20-1, 14 KO), from Nigeria but living in Texas, is another fighter who is still learning his craft and trying to establish himself in a crowded division. He needs more time before he can fight for world titles.
Long shot
Dillian Whyte (30-3, 20 KO) also needs to make up for lost ground and it is unlikely that he will appear in a title fight soon. The Londoner recorded an effortless victory in March, which was his first fight since clearing himself of doping charges. He was scheduled to face Joshua in August 2023, but the fight was canceled after the 36-year-old returned a “negative” doping test result. Whyte, from south London, is in the top 10 rankings of four major governing bodies. Fury comfortably stopped Whyte in 2022, and the boxer’s best hope for a huge fight may be a rematch with Joshua.
In a clash of forces between two world title contenders, NABO welterweight titleholder Alexis “Lex” Rocha (25-2-0, 16 KO) will put his skills to the test against undefeated knockout and NABF welterweight titleholder Raul “El Cugar “. Curiel (15-0, 13 KO).
The 10-round main event will take place on Saturday, December 14, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, and will be broadcast worldwide on DAZN.
“‘The best versus the best’ is Golden Boy’s mantra and that’s what fans will see as Rocha and Curiel take on everything that’s on the table,” said President and CEO Oscar De La Hoya. “Rocha is a veteran whose goal is to win the world title, Curiel is an undefeated blue-chip prospect with huge potential. It’s really a 50/50 fight and I’m looking forward to it.”
Tickets for the Rocha vs. match Curiel will go on sale on Friday, October 11 at 10 a.m. PT and will be priced at $100, $75, $50 and $25, excluding applicable service fees. A confined number of Golden Boy VIP Experience tickets will also be available, including exclusive merchandise and fight night upgrades. Standard and VIP tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com, Toyota-arena.com, Goldenboy.com or at the Toyota Arena box office from Monday to Friday from 12:00 to 16:00
“I’ve seen Raul Curiel all these years and he never once mentioned my name,” Alexis Rocha said. “After my last defeat, he suddenly became interested in fighting me. If he thinks I’ve lost a step or somehow had an simple fight, he’s in for a rude awakening. I can’t wait to make a statement and show the world what I’m capable of.”
Santa Ana, California Rep. Alexis “Lex” Rocha comes from a struggling family. The younger brother of Ronny Rios, he was the youngest fighter to win a gold medal at the Junior Olympics at the age of 14 in 2012 and caught the attention of the boxing world by becoming a six-time national champion during his amateur career. Rocha signed with Golden Boy in January 2016 and made his professional debut in March 2016, defeating Jordan Rosario at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles. Since then, he has amassed an enviable record of powerful knockouts over top contenders and plans to return to world title contention, with his last fight being a victory over undefeated Santiago Dominguez on July 19 last year.
“The fans can expect a war,” said Raul Curiel. “I’m going to prepare well to put on a great show. This will be the most essential fight of my career so far. I know Alexis is a great fighter, a good opponent and will also show up prepared. My focus is on Alexis and if I can beat him, I know it will give me a chance to fight for the world championship.
Former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos approached promoter Eddie Hearn asking for more massive fights.
Kambosos has signed a co-promotional deal with Eddie Hearn, under which the Greek-Australian slugger will continue his association with DiBella Entertainment Inc. and his own company, Ferocious Promotions.
The 21-3 star will move up to the super lightweight division of Matchroom Boxing’s lively division. He aims to become a two-weight world champion in early 2025, and as part of the deal, a title fight is promised as long as he continues to win.
Since his stunning victory over Teofimo Lopez, Kambosos has never shied away from competing against the best. Those three losses on his resume came to Devin Haney [twice] and Vasily Lomachenko, all at home and all for world titles.
The 31-year-old is now set to face compatriot Liam Paro after defending his IBF title against Richardson Hitchins in December in Puerto Rico.
“I am thrilled to be working with Matchroom Boxing. I am excited to have signed a three-way promotional cooperation agreement with my long-time promoter DiBella Entertainment Inc. and Ferocious Promotions,” Kambosos said.
“I made great success and history when I moved up the Matchroom shows by winning my UK elimination fight against Lee Selby. The most noteworthy and unforgettable is my victory against Teofimo at Madison Square Garden in Up-to-date York to become the 135-pound world champion.
“I am officially announcing that I will be moving up to 140 pounds and signing with Matchroom will ensure my continued success and the legacy I want to leave in the sport of boxing.”
Hearn, who adds an experienced campaigner to his stable, added: “I am delighted to welcome George to the team. George’s victory over Teofimo tore up the script and showed that George was the man for the massive time. He has proven to be a huge attraction in Australia and one of the real driving forces behind the rapid growth of boxing Down Under.
“The 140-pound division is full of massive names and massive potential fights. Adding George to the mix only elevates the level, and a possible fight with Liam Paro is a truly appetizing prospect. If Liam manages to win in a great fight against Richardson on December 7th [the fight could be on].
Lou DiBella, who has worked with Kambosos for years, said: “I’m glad I was able to make a deal with my antique buddy Eddie to work with George Kambosos Jr. and Ferocious Promotions.
“Throughout his career, George has been a fighter who has never shied away from a challenge, and now he wants to test himself against top junior welterweights.
Matchroom works with top 140-pounders, including George’s compatriot Liam Paro, and, like DiBella Entertainment, is heavily invested in Australia.
“It’s a natural partnership,” added the Up-to-date Yorker.
One of the hottest topics surrounding Mike Tyson’s return at the age of 58 was the possibility of the boxing legend scoring a knockout of Jake Paul.
WBN has weighed in on this topic several times, questioning the validity of five-second training clips that revealed nothing about Tyson’s abilities at this overdue age. One of the most intriguing observations during the preparations was the opinion of UFC commentator Daniel Cormier.
Speaking on his show “Funky and the Champ,” Cormier reflected on Tyson’s social media videos and offered an informed opinion on the meaning of the clips.
“I understand that [he is in amazing shape at 58]and I understand what he is saying [he feels as though he can compete]– Cormier said. “And I agree that when he hits the pads with Rafael Cordeiro, it looks like there’s still something left in him.
“But then I watch Jake Paul fight Mike Perry. I saw Jake Paul get overwhelmed to the point where he started to feel uncomfortable. It looked like Mike Perry had a chance. But Jake has a reserve tank he can go to and benefit from because he’s 28 years ancient. Then he comes back and finally finishes Mike Perry.
“At the beginning of the fight, Mike Perry gets beaten up and dropped. He looks trained and unmatched. This worries me because what if it looks like a 58-year-old man fighting a 28-year-old man while Mike can’t employ the backup tank to stay and compete with this newborn kid? I think it’s a failure for Jake Paul because if you beat Mike Tyson, everyone will love him.
He added: “What if Mike knocks him out? It’s over. Everything is ready. This would be the backfire of all time. If he gets knocked out, nothing like that has ever happened in the history of the sport.”
Unfortunately for Tyson, this revenge backfired spectacularly, as the former heavyweight champion’s return was the only event that bombed. Tyson had nothing left twenty years after he had nothing left in his tank and no desire to box in his mind.
Paul parlayed this into a money-making scheme that would forever be a success for him and his company, but would be poorly received by the die-hard boxing fraternity.
Cormier’s words resonate, especially after what happened in the ring when Mike Tyson struggled to shift into first gear, warning former fighters thinking about returning after 50.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
MMA6 months ago
Interviews1 month ago
Interviews1 month ago
MMA6 months ago
MMA6 months ago
Boxing4 months ago
Interviews6 months ago
Opinions & Features2 months ago