Heavyweight Division Aftershock – It has been a week of division-changing news for heavyweight boxing, and the 23rd edition of the Talk’n’Shoot Boxing Podcast focuses on the latest happenings in pugilism’s glamour division.
https://soundcloud.com/getmoresports/talk-n-shoot-podcast-episode-23
The news started with the announcement from WBO and WBA world titleholder Tyson Fury’s camp that he as pulling out of his October 29th rematch with Wladimir Klitschko. Klitschko is now 40 years old, but he has been pushing for this rematch with Fury since he lost to Fury last November. Fury has been acting flaky ever since his big victory and the match has been on again and off again several times. The fight was made and booked for July but Fury sprained an ankle and the fight was subsequently moved to the October date. Now Fury’s mental state is in question as he is suffering from depression and his trainers have stated that Fury will not fight until at least 2017.
Klitschko’s age makes this a critical point in time. Klitschko is not likely to have 4-5 fights left in him, and he needs a big fight and a worthy opponent to make things worthwhile. A win over Fury would avenge the loss and return several of his world titles to his possession, and he is pushing to find another opponent.
In steps Eddie Hearn and Matchroom boxing, the promoters of Anthony Joshua. Joshua has been reserving a November 16th date and has no fixed opponent set, so he is available. As IBF world champion, Joshua holds a belt previously held by Klitschko as well, and the 26 year old undefeated phenom has become one of boxing’s brightest stars.
For Joshua, a match with Klitschko is a bit unexpected, but the young fighter has been criticized for his selection of opponents and a match with Klitschko, even at 40, would be an important challenge. A win for Joshua over the dominant heavyweight of the last decade would certainly be the type of thing that helps Joshua create a legacy. Hearn is a sharp cookie and Joshua could enter the fight with a rematch clause, meaning we may see more of this matchup if a November fight happens and is compelling. If that fight falls through, Joshua will likely take on the winner of the October 1st match between Jospeh Parker (20-0) and Alexander Dimitrenko (38-2).
Check the latest edition of the Talk’n’Shoot Boxing Podcast for the latest status on today’s heavyweight picture.
Heavyweight Division Aftershock
Waiting in the wings for early 2017 is WBC titleholder Deontay Wilder, who is recovering from a torn bicep and a broken hand sustained in his last title defense against Chris Arreola. The common thinking was that Wilder was lined up for a showdown with Joshua upon his return early next year, but the potential for a Joshua versus Klitschko fight in November leaves that all up in the air. Certainly Wilder versus the winner of that fight would be in the running for the most lucrative fight of 2017, but a lot is going to depend on that fight being made and what clauses go into that final agreement.
Heavyweight Division Aftershock / Check out more boxing news and features at The Sweet Science.
