The big men will soon be back.
Only three weeks out from the from the next Riyadh Season show in Saudi Arabia and, with another announced yesterday for February 22 containing big match-ups, the heavyweights are in vogue.
But, will we be any closer to confirming the dominant heavyweight of this era ?
Each decade has been typified by almost mutual acceptance and agreement of the dominant heavyweight. Think Joe Louis in the 1940s, Marciano 1950s, Ali ’60s & ’70s, Tyson 1980s, Holyfield ’90s and Lennox Lewis early 2000s. True, arguements can be made for Joe Frazier and Larry Holmes for instance, then Wladimir Klitschko into the new millennium, but generally, it was settled in defining fights. Will December 21 in Riyadh settle it for good ?
Usyk or Fury ?
Somehow we don’t think so.
Oleksandr Usyk may stake his claim with an emphatic second victory over the ‘Gypsy King’, but he will always be considered a cruiserweight who bulked up to join the big boys, and, as is rumoured, might even return to the 200lb division.
A number of heavyweights are circling around the ‘top dog’ and will all be showcased over the coming months. Current IBF champion Daniel Dubois will face former WBO champion Joseph Parker, leading WBC contender Zhilei Zhang will face German Agit Kabayel in an official eliminator for the title. Add into the mix promising heavyweights Martin Bakole and youngster Moses Itauma. It looks an exciting time with some movement in the top ten. However, the dominant champion should be determined on December 21, but likely with another rematch clause or trilogy fight if Tyson Fury emerges victorious.
This would still leave our leading question unanswered. Usyk, Fury…even Joshua and Wilder should they make successful comebacks. From the young breed Itauma maybe ? We’re still struggling to find that 2020’s king and the next few months will hopefully get us closer to the answer.
The Undisputed 