Heavyweight Boxing on TnS Podcast #48 – The TalknShoot Boxing Podcast is back and heavyweight boxing is once again the subject.
The podcast delves into the status of WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, who is not on the scheduled with an official fight. Wilder last fought at the end of February when he defeated Gerald Washington by TKO in what was generally seen as a lackluster performance. Since them Washington has returned to the ring but Wilder is still on the sidelines despite being healthy.
Boxing is booming world-wide and the heavyweight scene is truly wide open and interesting. Wilder, as the WBC’s world champion, would appear to be in a great spot but he is finding that the big payday is not there at the moment. Wilder was scheduled to fight Alexander Povetkin in Russia for a $5 million dollar payday but that fight fell through when Povetkin tested positive for a banned substance and Wilder has not seen an offer anywhere near that amount since.
In what is one of the absurdities of the boxing world, the aforementioned Alexander Povetkin has had no trouble finding opponents and fights despite two positive drug tests. He last fought on July 1st in Russia and there is talk that he may be in line to challenge for the WBA world heavyweight belt held by Anthony Joshua.
Another heavyweight in a seeming holding pattern is Cuba’s undefeated Luis Ortiz (27-0). When Ortiz signed with promoter Eddie Hearn it appeared that a showdown with Joshua might be imminent but the undefeated Ortiz has parted ways with the British promoter and he too is floating around without a fight scheduled. Ortiz is officially closing in on 40 years old though many suspect he is older and his window of opportunity is shutting. He is looking to cash in a big payday in his next fight as well and as a consequence he has yet to have a match in 2017.
Heavyweight Boxing on TnS Podcast #48
It also appeared as if Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko were heading towards a rematch until Klitschko unexpectedly announced his retirement here in early August.
Do not make any mistake about it, IBF and WBO world champion Anthony Joshua is the elephant in the room as far as the heavyweight division is concerned. The retirement of Klitschko leaves Joshua without an obvious big-name opponent. Deontay Wilder would seem to be a natural fit but the fight may not be as easily to put together as it might appear.
The fight would monetize well in Las Vegas but at this point Anthony Joshua is the “A” side in terms of negotiations. That likely does not sit well with Wilder who would be fighting in his home country, but the bottom line is that Joshua has been promoted extremely well by Britain’s Hearn while the Premier Boxing Champions have had trouble separating Deontay Wilder from others on their crowded roster. Wilder would enter any fight with Joshua as the underdog for starters and if insists on being on the “A’ side of the money and treatment the fight is going to fall apart befire it even comes to fruition.
Is there any better place on the planet to get caught up on all the latest heavyweight boxing news than at TalknShoot?
Heavyweight Boxing on TnS Podcast #48 / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science, where the best boxing writers write.
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