Who is the best Heavyweight in Boxing currently?Unless you’re an avid boxing fan, very rarely do boxers or boxing matches whispers it’s way in to small talk. The resurrection of the heavyweight division since 2015 has sparked life and much needed energy in to the division. Majority of the public have been gripped by the level of fights which have been made available since the fall of Wladmir Klitschko that night in Germany 4 years back.
Tyson Fury the huge underdog going in to the fight was given very little chance against a Wladmir Klitschko who had an iron fist over the division for 13 years. Wladmir, has won 23 out of 25 World Title fights, which puts him only second behind Joe Luis in terms of most consecutive world title defences in the heavyweight division, only behind Joe Louis.
Tyson Fury won the fight convincingly pushing his way to a shock unanimous points decision and becoming undisputed world heavyweight champion. Unfortunately, a turn of events had taken place in Tyson Fury’s personal life, resulting in Fury having to relinquish his four world titles.
AJ (Anthony Joshua) the golden boy of UK and Heavyweight boxing was on the rise. Whilst still only 15 fights a professional, an opportunity had presented itself to Joshua, to claim one of the four world titles. In his own admission a ‘novice’ in the pro-ranks, Joshua accepted the challenge to face world champion, Charles Martin for the IBF world heavyweight title. Although Joshua was a champion in the making, no one at ringside expected Charles Martin to be dispatched within the first round. It was debatable whether AJ broke a sweat but nevertheless he was the IBF champion.
AJ has held the boxing world at ransom after his dramatic win in Wembley in 2016. In what is considered one of the greatest fights of 21th Century AJ went on to beat Wladmir Klitshcko in dramatic style, after both fighters touched the canvas in the earlier rounds, the older fighter (Wladmir) went on to dominate the remainder of the fight. What seemed like a routine Wladmir victory, the fight quickly turned on its head. Wladmir was caught spectacularly with a right upper cut and it was not too long after that AJ was being lofted as the undisputed heavyweight champ in front on 90,000 hysterical fans in Wembley.
Since adding the WBA title. Joshua added the WBO strap to his list of titles by beating Joseph Parker. In a such a short period of time, Joshua has had a string of impressive victories taking on all comers, whilst also making a lot of money from the sport. His spot as the number one heavyweight was not in question. However, a much-anticipated fight with the WBC world champion Deontay Wilder has been mooted several times. For one reason or another the fight has not materialised.
Deontay Wilder
Quite possibly the deadliest puncher in the sports history. Deontay has a staggering 39 KO’s in 41 fights. Not your typical heavyweight; Deontay could easily pass off as a Basketball player, however, should he manage to land the betting odds would normally favour you to remain unconscious. Not gifted as the best boxer, Deontay has the power to knock you out in any round.
Putting all the praise to one-side. Deontay has been criticised for the level of opposition that he has fought. Up until the Luis Ortiz fight, there was not many fights on his record which you could give him praise for. Wilder’s first real test as an elite fighter came against the returning Tyson Fury. Considering Wilder’s impressive power and knockout ratio, Tyson Fury went in to the fight as a huge underdog. Always one to change the script, Fury managed to dominate the fight, however, two knockdowns dented his hopes, ultimately the fight lead to a controversial draw. Majority at ringside had Fury winning the fight.
A rematch has been ordered by the WBC whilst also recommending that Fury should receive the lion’s share of the purse. A purse bid has been ordered for the fight, however, nothing else has been reported.
Tyson Fury:
There is almost something Ali-esque about this man. Charismatic, outspoken and always willing to defy the odds. The other thing that Fury and Ali share, they both beat the most dominant men in the division and never lost their title in the ring.
Since that famous night in Dusseldorf where Tyson Fury dethroned Wladmir Klitschko. Fury’s mental health had taken a dip resulting in him drinking heavily and abusing drugs. The near suicidal Fury had his licence revoked and all his title stripped of him by the sanctioning bodies.
After two and bit years. Fury excited boxing fans by returning to the ring in August. The ‘lineal champ’ was extremely out of shape weighing close to 27 Stones. Tyson Fury fought against a virtual unknown in German-Albanian fighter, Seferi. Considering his two-year layout, a couple of tune-up of this nature were much needed. He despatched his opponent with relative ease. Francesco Panetta was lined up; Fury did not amaze but went the full distance. Although many in attendance were not impressed with the lineal champ but those rounds were hugely important to a man who had not fought actively for two and bit years. Surely Wilder or Joshua would not be next?
Fury did the unimaginable by taking on Deontay Wilder. Dubbed as a huge underdog in the fight, Fury was defying the odds in the fight. He ducked and dived around Wilder’s shots and danced around him throughout most of the fight. Other than the flash knockdown in 9th round and a thunderous knockdown in the 12th round. Up until the ref six count, Fury was unconscious, how he managed to make it before the 10 count is something that will talked back for years to come. Muhammad Ali did something similar when he fought Frazier when he was hit with a peach left hook in the 12th round, Ali miraculously managed to make it to his feet.
Who is Number One?
El-Hajj Mohammed X- Hajj Blog 