The Undisputed

Once upon a time the 140lbs (10st) junior-welterweight division had a unified world champion. That man was Scotland’s Josh Taylor. Then, he was gradually denuded of that title by having to relinquish one of the sanctioning belts and later had others removed. When he faced, and lost to Teofimo Lopez, only a few remaining belts were up for grabs. He was beaten convincingly in his first defeat.

Since then, like in many weight divisions, the title has become splintered and many organisations call their champion the world champion. Such is the frustration and dichotomy of modern boxing.

On Saturday (9 Dec) in San Francisco, California one of Taylor’s ‘victims’ defends his WBC title against a recent deserter of the lightweight (135lbs/9st 9lb) division. Here, New Orleans’ Regis Prograis (29-1, 24 KO’s) will aim to defeat former undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KO’s).

Prograis, a southpaw is an elite fighter and former WBA title holder. Haney is an orthodox stylish boxer and will be fighting at home. He is a marginal favorite going in. Stylistically and talent-wise it promises to be an excellent contest.

Haney is The Ring magazine lightweight champion and in recent bouts has added the names of Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. on his win record. There is a ten year age gap between the two, with Prograis being the older at 35. Haney has looked the more impressive of the two in their most recent bouts.

The contest will be on the DAZN streaming site. Watch it if you can, early Sunday morning (UK time), because who knows ? .. we might just be on our way to re-unifying the title. Wishful thinking I’m sure.

In a far less glamorous setting, but of some world significance there are attempts to bring together the cruiserweights (200lbs, 14st 4lbs) with the latest outing of WBO champion Chris Billam-Smith (18-1, 12 KO’s). Fighting in his hometown of Bournemouth, England, he makes a first defence of the title he won last summer in the same city outdoors against Lawrence Okolie.

‘The Gentleman’ meets Poland’s tall Masteusz Masternak (47-5, 31 KO’s) on Sunday (10 Dec). There is currently a plethora of top cruiserweights in the UK, but The Ring magazine and IBF champion is Australia’s Jai Opetaia (23-0, 18 KO’s), who is the man to beat in this weight class. It should be an exciting two years to see who rises from the dust to be top dog.

Also on the BOXXER promoted bill is the awaited return of Tokyo Olympic silver medallist and undefeated prospect Ben ‘The Surgeon’ Whittaker (4-0, 3 KO’s). The Wolverhampton, England man looks to have all the class and charisma to succeed but he needs to keep busy and winning in the early stages of his pro’ career. He should come through safely but the key will be more how he looks having been out since July and with his clear promise.

The full BOXXER show will be televised in the UK on Sky Sports and in the US on the Peacock (NBC) channel.

Main headline and star of the show last weekend has to be the now two-weight undisputed female world champion Katie Taylor.

The 37 year old Irish boxing legend further added to her outstanding achievements winning a breathtaking contest to relieve Northampton, England’s Chantelle Cameron of The Ring magazine 140lb (10st) championship and the numerous sanctioning body belts also up for grabs.

In a raucous atmosphere on Saturday (Nov 25) Taylor’s Dublin faithful just got her over the line in a ‘ding-dong’ contest that was a candidate for fight of the year.

The Irish woman navigated an early trip to the canvas, which was controversially not scored a knockdown, when Cameron seemed to connect with a strong right-hand lead. Despite this, Taylor eventually won a majority decision (95-95, 96-94 and 98-92), which to us appeared far too wide in her favour on the final card given the action, skills and ferocity shared. Both boxers deserve praise and Cameron’s grievance on the final decision is understood. We do though feel Taylor was the victor.

The champion coming in was cut on the forehead early in the fight and although a distraction it was well contained and didn’t seem to overly trouble her. There were repeated head clashes throughout the fight, adding to the drama, but it was really a clash of height and advancing styles rather than anything malicious.

Taylor (23-1, 6 KO’s), an exceptional amateur and London 2012 gold medallist, successfully avenged last year’s defeat to Cameron and there will be much calling for a trilogy ‘rubber match’ to determine the better fighter.

After last year’s reverse against Cameron, when much was expected of Taylor, she proudly said after Saturday’s outcome “This was my homecoming…the real me”. She called out for a trilogy to be held at Croke Park, the national 80,000 monolith stadium. It is sure to pack the place out should it happen.

Cameron (18-1, 8 KO’s) should be given full credit for the way she fought, with tenacity and bravery and will in the eyes of many be a favourite in the inevitable ‘trilogy’ match.

The contest further added to the now total credibility of female boxing; who legitimately have equal standing. It was a contest that can rightly stand with any male fight for the year. Promoted by Matchroom and shown on the DAZN streaming platform it was a momentous homecoming for the Irish lady and success for female boxing.

Honourable mentions at the weekend also go to an excellent fight on a Queensberry promotion at York Hall, Bethnal Green, east London where lightweight Mark Chamberlain (14-0, 10 KO’s) won by tenth round KO against Latvian Artjoms Ramlavs (16-3, 8 KO’s). This kept the Portsmouth fighter’s unbeaten record intact and the prospect of a fight against fellow 135lb up and comer Sam Noakes looks mouthwatering.

After a competitive fight Chamberlain just came through Ramlav’s experienced and rugged showing, plus negotiating a difficult cut on his right eyelid which threatened to stop the fight earlier. The end came dramatically at 1:21 of the tenth and entertained all in attendance and watching on TNT Sport in the UK.

The undefeated Sam Noakes (11-0, 11 KO’s) is due to fight at the same venue this Friday (Dec 1).

The final piece of the jigsaw will be pressed firmly into place on February 17 2024 when the World Heavyweight Champion is finally determined in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The promotion named ‘Ring of Fire’ will see Britain’s Tyson Fury face Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk for all of the sanctioning body belts and the ultimate accolade of what we consider the ‘ultimate prize in sport‘. The fact that this website carries such an illustrious and self proclaiming title is that we believe many things in this world should be ‘Undisputed’ and although most things in life are subject to conjecture and opinion, that, in itself is modern life; this title, is what we consider to be the beacon that leads the sport. Nuff said.

The journey to this point has been a long and arduous one. The final road to the defining moment was officially announced in a packed press conference in central London last Thursday (16 November). Both main protagonists were in attendance, accompanied by Saudi royalty, some boxing hierarchy and, Rocky Balboa himself ! (aka actor Sylvester Stallone).

The fractured nature of the sport has led to a splintering of titles with the proliferation of multiple sanctioning bodies claiming that their champion is the man. Business and vested interests has generated this muddled scenario. For the record, both fighters have undefeated professional logs; Fury 34-0-1 (24 KO’s) and Usyk 21-0 (14 KO’s). The Brit is recognised by the WBC as their champion and Ukrainian by the IBF, WBA and WBO as theirs.

To add further garnish Usyk is the esteemed The Ring magazine champion having recently been awarded that title by their ratings panel. Fury brings his lineal status to the party by virtue of being, the man who beat the man, who beat the man etc’. It is contentious how The Ring title changed hands without them having met in the roped square until now. They have their reasons.

What’s important is that we are nearly there. The money being earned by both fighters is astronomical, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who will pay for the privilege to host the event will be handsomely rewarded in worldwide exposure and the prestige that follows. This will be enhanced should the contest be an unforgettable event and be consigned to the sporting annals of time like The Rumble in the Jungle.

To this observer it was disappointing to see the over 100 year history of the title being demeaned by some of the lack of respect and language that Tyson ‘The Gypsy King’ Fury used in the press conference towards his opponent. He (Usyk) whose country we know are in the midst of defending their sovereign rights, and who throughout his career has exuded class and professionalism.

Usyk took his reference to being told he was gonna get his “face punched in” and being called a “sausage” with his usual smile and a shake of his head. He expected Fury to steal the show to promote the fight, and in the modern world that may be necessary to sell pay-per-view and streams, but it would have been nice to witness the dignity of a Rocky Marciano-Joe Louis or ‘Jersey’ Joe Walcott press conference for this historic event, but times have changed !

Let’s just look forward to what is being billed as, and indeed is, a “historic event”. As co-promoter Frank Warren rightly introduced in the press conference “It doesn’t get any better than this”.

When Fury and Usyk have their final face-off it will eventually result in crowning a World Heavyweight Champion for the first time this century ! That indeed is worth determining and ultimately celebrating.

After postponement mid-last week of the Joshua Buatsi v Dan Azeez light-heavyweight headliner by BOXXER promotions, a result of Azeez sustaining a back injury, there was still plenty of quality action over the weekend in British rings.

The remaining scheduled card for the O2 Arena was quickly shifted to the much smaller but atmospheric York Hall, Bethnal Green, east London, with an excellent main event.

This saw Isaac Chamberlain (16-2, 8 KO’s) defeat Mikael Lawal (17-1, 11 KO’s) by unanimous decision to win the vacant British and Commonwealth cruiserweight (14st, 4lb/200lbs) titles. Returned scores were 119-111, 118-111 and 118-111 in Londoner Chamberlain’s favour.

The division is hot in the UK at the moment with Bournemouth’s Chris Billam-Smith the current WBO ‘world’ champion and south London’s hard hitting Richard Riakporhe highly world ranked, among other domestic notables.

Up in Liverpool, north west England, Matchroom Boxing promoted an excellent international match-up at junior-welterweight (10st/140lbs) which saw England’s Jack Catterall (28-1, 13 KO’s) defeat former three division ‘world’ champion Jorge Linares (47-9, 29 KO’s), also by unanimous points decision. Returned scores were 117-111, 116-112 and 116-112 in the Englishman’s favour.

Southpaw boxer Catterall, at 30 years old, controlled the fight but always showed Linares the respect his record, skills and accomplishments warranted. The Englishman from Chorley, Greater Manchester now moves up the world rankings and attempts to gain a second crack at a ‘world’ title, after controversially dropping a decision to former unified champion Josh Taylor in 2022. Catterall is currently rated #6 by The Ring magazine which is a good guide of his class and promise. He remains the #1 contender for the WBO ‘world’ title.

Venezuelan Linares, now 38, and following his fourth consecutive defeat, announced his retirement after Saturday’s defeat. He contested many fights of world significance in many countries, almost becoming a modern day ‘road warrior’ and retires a decorated and respected former champion. We wish him well.

Highlight of this fight week in the UK, also with world ramifications, is the lead in to a big domestic light-heavyweight (12st, 7lbs/175lbs) showdown between ranked contenders in London on Saturday (21st).

Both billed from Croydon, south London; 2016 Olympic bronze medallist Joshua Buatsi faces British multi-champion Dan Azeez. It’s a fight between opponents who are familiar from hours of sparring and have the utmost respect in each other. The problem, and draw, is both want the same thing – a world title !

It’s a real throwback to the light-heavyweight match-ups of yesteryear in British rings; from Chris Finnegan against John Conteh in the 1970’s to Dennis Andries v Tony Sibson in the 1980’s.

Buatsi, originally from Ghana and emphasizing their proud fighting heritage, has waited patiently for the opportunity to launch himself further into the mainstream and onto a world title fight. First, he must clear up one of the domestic arguments. Azeez, known to be the more ‘blue-collar’ of the two with hero ‘Marvelous’ Marvin Hagler providing his inspiration, is also attempting to break into the mainstream and onto world recognition.

It’s a ‘trade’ fight that given the undefeated records, local rivalry, and their obvious potential will likely add to that long history of British twelve and a half stone confrontations.

On face value, Azeez (20-0, 13 KO’s) is the more workmanlike of both fighters, steadily building his pace and momentum as his fights progress. Buatsi (17-0, 13 KO’s), although equally cerebral, is the more polished and world decorated of the two. They are respectively ranked #6 and 5 by The Ring magazine and recognised equally by the multiple ‘world’ sanctioning bodies.

Top of the tree are Russia’s Dmitry Bivol (21-0, 11 KO’s) and Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KO’s) who seem on a domestic collision course of their own. No match has yet been made but for them, but the Brit’s who emerge victorious over the next 12 months, out of Buatsi and Azeez, former 12st (168lbs) ‘world’ champion Callum Smith, twice world challenger Anthony Yarde and IBO champion Lyndon Arthur will be lining up to collect the world silverware left.

It truly is a big period ahead for the world ‘175 pounders’ and it all starts at the O2 Arena, North Greenwich, London on Saturday. Promoted by BOXXER it is also available live in the UK on Sky Sports and on Talksport radio. Look for the hype to build over the coming week.

Today marks the thirtieth anniversary of an iconic domestically contested world title fight; the rematch between ‘Dark Destroyer’ Nigel Benn and self-proclaimed ‘Simply the Best’, Chris Eubank Sr. at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

The event was for the world super-middleweight (12st/168 lbs) title, outdoors before a captivated crowd and, shown live ‘free to air’ on ITV Sport. Those indeed were halcyon days for boxing fans.

On Saturday, those ‘privileged few’ at the Sheffield Arena and viewing on streaming site DAZN witnessed a modern day equivalent with WBA world featherweight champion Leigh Wood dramatically defending his nine stone (126lbs) title with a 7th round stoppage to conclude a sensational /fight with former IBF world champion Josh Warrington.

The contender from Leeds, England, an underdog coming in, and deemed to be having his ‘final hurrah’, was arguably five rounds up on the cards before walking into a devastating right hook followed by an array of follow up shots. It was a riveting toe-to-toe contest throughout with Warrington’s power punching landing more regularly against the southpaw champion and forcing the pace towards Wood.

The Leed’s man bouyed on by this usual fervent support and attempting to regain a version of the nine stone title was perpetual motion and seemingly able to penetrate Wood’s defence at will. However, Wood’s shots back were respectable and keeping his challenger at bay, but he looked to be too reckless, regularly finishing exchanges by leaving his chin ‘out to dry’.

The common consensus was the champion was tight at the weight and this would be his final performance as a featherweight. This was verbally confirmed by his team at the end.

The facts of the night were referee Michael Alexander called a halt to proceedings at the end of round seven after Warrington didn’t show the necessary strength or coordination to recover after the bell rang. Warrington’s performance up to that point was excellent and he looked to have re-ignited his career. It was five years since he defeated former world champion and 2016 The Ring magazine fighter of the year Carl Frampton.

Wood, sensational in victory, rose his record to 28-3 (17 KO’s) and Warrington, a two-time IBF ‘world’ champion, dropped to 31-3-1 (8 KO’s).

It was a fight and event that deserved to be compared to the Benn-Eubank Sr. matches, possibly most similar to their first encounter which resulted in a dramatic late stoppage victory for Eubank, but although worthy of a rematch seems as though it would have to happen at 9st, 4lbs (130lbs) if that ever materialises. The recovery and long term condition of Warrington will likely dictate that but with the massive fan bases of both combatants would seem a natural and sure to be big box office.

For now, both fighters take a bow for what what we consider to date has been fight of the year in British rings. Try to catch it if you can on DAZN or other social media outlets.

Zhang v Joyce II – Five things we learned

1. The heavyweight division remains no place for porosity – If you’re going to walk in straight lines to a fighter with no lateral movement, drop your hands in exchanges or, get careless in any way then, the heavyweight division is the wrong place to be. No more was this true than on Saturday night at the London Wembley Arena. Heavyweight contender Joe Joyce was poleaxed with a right hook by Zhilei Zhang towards the end of round 3. It had shades of similar episodes at the same venue many moons ago when fellow Brit’s Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis were equally flattened by James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith and Oliver McCall respectively. Both of those came again to win or regain world titles. In the lighter weights you can almost get away with a porous defence, but such is the concussive impact of a heavyweight (both came in over 20 stones (280+ lbs) that the end was inevitable. Joyce, was basically ‘too open’ and has been for the whole of his professional career.
2. Joyce’s chin is no longer impregnable – Joe’s famed punch resistance allied with his walk forward style was good to watch as he prevailed over lesser talented fighters and backed up his ‘Juggernaut’ nickname. The detonation on his jaw and subsequent result Saturday night proved that his previous impregnation is denuding. True, that shot would have poleaxed most heavyweights, with equal effect but, the best heavyweights over the last 50 years would have risen from it. Think Muhammad Ali when floored by Joe Frazier in ‘The Fight’ of 1971 and then into the 1980’s Larry Holmes rising from the bazooka of Earnie Shavers.
3. Speed was again the winner – That Zhang was able to land the right hook and over the shared nine rounds over two contests against Joyce, by his repetitive success with his southpaw jab and follow up blows was a testament to the adage that ‘speed kills’. In boxing faster hands than your opponent are a significant advantage. When this is so obvious as it was on Saturday and is backed up by the pedigree of the opponent (Zhang being a 2008 Olympic medallist and therefore elite amateur) plus having only one defeat as a professional, then it is a lethal cocktail for his opponent.
4. The Brit returns to domestic dust ups and should consider retirement – Given the later success mentioned under point 2 of Frank Bruno and Lennox Lewis and many other fighters it might be foolhardy to suggest Joyce calls it a day. Retirement talk and subsequent closure of a career is a difficult pill to swallow. Heavyweights certainly do go on longer than the lighter weight fighters, but Joe has just turned 38 years old and it’s whether he really has more or better to offer. We suggested pre-fight that his ability to learn from a boxing perspective and change type may be limited. He will always try to bludgeon his way to victory and although showed a bit more movement than in earlier fights he should in our view consider calling it a day. He was though adamant post-fight that this wasn’t the end.
5. Anyone for a world heavyweight title fight in China ? The People’s Republic of China has at last count a population exceeding 4 billion. They have never had a World Heavyweight Champion or even witnessed one fighting for a professional heavyweight title. Zhang is ranked in the top six heavyweights in the world, whatever listings you tend to believe. China is a big market for any promoter, television network or sanctioning body. An event involving him would be colossal. Queensberry Promotion’s Frank Warren is already calling out for a Tyson Fury versus Zhang fight. The numbers generated would be phenomenal. More importantly, Zhang is 40 years old and deserves a shot. If Fury is not prepared to meet him for whatever reason then Oleksandr Usyk should be mandated to. The Chinese right to bid for the next World Heavyweight Champion is now !

Can an old or ageing heavyweight be taught new tricks ?

Tomorrow night (Sept 23^rd) at London’s Wembley Arena we’ll find out as Britain’s ‘Juggernaught’ Joe Joyce attempts to ‘right the wrong’ in losing his previously undefeated record to Chinese behemoth Zhilei ‘Big Bang’ Zhang back in April this year.

Both come in as elite heavyweights, certainly by virtue of their international amateur background and being high in the current world professional rankings. Rated top ten by The Ring magazine; Zhang at #4 and Joyce #6, the WBO interim title is up for grabs, whatever that may be !

More importantly, is the retention of their world ranking and the rights to challenge for the legitimate title(s) whenever they become available. The majority of sanctioning body titles are currently held by undefeated Ukrainian southpaw Oleksandr Usyk and, Britain’s undefeated Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury. The latter being the so called ‘lineal champion’ as ‘the man, who beat the man etc’.

Joyce (15-1-0, 14 KO’s), from Putney, south London, has just turned 38 and for only the second time in his career he comes in as a betting underdog. The facts and consensus is he must improve considerably from the first fight to prevail against the huge and big punching Chinese southpaw. (25-1-1, 20 KO’s).

Joyce has never been hard to hit as he regularly plods forwards.

The Greatest Muhammad Ali playfully christened George Foreman “The Mummy” when he stepped forward. Joyce comparatively, makes Foreman look like Fred Astaire ! To prevail he must be more illusive, no doubt. Walking in straight lines to fellow heavyweights is never advisable or a winning strategy.

Joyce has to move his head more, allied with lateral movement to avoid some of the damage the Chinese will seek to offload on him again.

Zhang, aged 40, and at 6 foot 6 inches, is good and adds that southpaw style and fast hands to his arsenal. Age may catch up with him but given the short period between both fights that is unlikely. Tyson Fury is blunt in his strategy and assessment of Joyce’s chances. “Chop him down like an old Oak tree”. He added “If he doesn’t do something different this time, he (The Chinese) will beat him again”.

A recent rematch has bucked the general trend with Chris Eubank Jr. emphatically avenging his earlier loss to Liam Smith. That will provide additional incentive and optimism for Joyce to correct his wrong. Whilst we expect him to be more tentative than previously, now fully knowing and appreciating Zhang’s strength and skillset, We do though think Joyce will ultimately revert to type and not resist the temptation to engage. This may again be his downfall.

The Chinese’ fast hands will be the telling factor and we expect largely a repeat of the previous contest. The stoppage may come sooner, but it’s unlikely the right eye that was so marked up in the first fight will hold out, and the referee may step in during the mid rounds to leave Joyce to compete for domestic dominance before challenging again for world honours.

The full card and main event promoted by Queensberry will be shown live on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports) in the UK from 19:30 BST. It will be televised on ESPN+ in the US.

It should be a good night’s action also featuring London’s two-time world light-heavyweight challenger Anthony Yarde (23-3, 22 KO’s) against late replacement Jorge Silva (22-8, 12 KO’s), but this should be a stoppage walkover for Yarde as he begins his step back to world title contention.

The card will also feature a mix of young starlets from nearby Kent in the shape of decorated amateur and undefeated professional Sam Noakes (11-0, 11 KO’s) at lightweight, and the promising Moses Itauma (4-0, 2 KO’s) who is impressing at heavyweight.

What’s sure is there will be fireworks during the evening. Both fighters in the main event have weighed in a career heaviest, being in excess of 20 stones. Official weights earlier today were Joyce – 281.2 lbs and Zhang – 287.2 lbs. On Saturday at least one world ranked heavyweight will go back to the drawing board but it should be fun watching who.

Tonight (Fri 18^th), the spiritual home of British boxing, the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, is sold out and will be rockin’ as a potential new star faces his first legitimate test.

Dennis ‘The Menace’ McCann from Maidstone, Kent, England boxes talented Spanish-based Romanian Ionut Baluta in a promising twelve rounder at junior-featherweight (122lbs/8st,10lbs).

The 22 year old McCann has an impressive 14-0 (8 KO’s) record and amateur experience representing England in the European (Schoolboy) Games. He is well touted member of the Queensberry Promotional camp headed up by hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren and good things for McCann are expected.

Baluta (16-4, 3 KO’s), at age 29, has mixed in better company to date than McCann, and is coming in as a bit of a ‘gatekeeper’ to progression in the weight class, certainly at a UK domestic level having fought on those shores a number of times recently.

The Romanian won on a split decision against the highly talented Andrew Cain from Liverpool in his last outing in March 2023. McCann won the Commonwealth crown in his previous fight against Joe Ham in November 2022. This though won’t be up for grabs tonight due to Baluta’s nationality.

Both McCann and Baluta have sparred many rounds in a Kent gym and consequently know each other well. McCann also being ringside at recent Baluta fights. They’ve been circling each other for some time.

Whilst the future looks bright for the charismatic McCann, Baluta should cause him to answer a number of questions. The Romanian is technically excellent and will trade on his durability and cunning. We do though expect McCann to come through with his youth, good technique and patience, and see a wide points victory.

‘The Menace’ is sure to exhibit his engaging smile and humour in the post-fight interview and will subsequently look to move onto bigger things.

Other fighters to feature on a good card include British featherweight (126lbs/9st) champion Nathaniel Collins (12-0, 6 KO’s) in his first defence against Raza Hamza (17-1-1, 7 KO’s), which is also for the Commonwealth title.  Plus, amongst others; Southampton puncher Ryan Garner (13-0, 7 KO’s) faces Spaniard Juan Jesus Antunez (12-1, 4 KO’s) at junior-lightweight (130lbs/9st, 4lbs). We expect the 25 year old Garner to win but may be extended more than usual.

The full card and main event will be shown live on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports) from 19:30 BST. It should be a good night’s action.

As world ranked British heavyweight Anthony Joshua laboured and poked his cautious jab through the six completed rounds to find his way to defeat Finland’s Robert Helenius, (who’d taken the fight on six days notice), you couldn’t help thinking whether Joshua (26-3, 23 KO’s) still had enough to recapture past glories.

He has previously been an elite fighter as the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion and two-time holder of world heavyweight sanctioning body titles. Now at age 33, definitely young for a heavyweight, has he still got it ?

The seventh round knockout of Helenius (on 1:27 secs) from a right hook was indeed spectacular, but it followed low action and a tentative approach from the Brit that resulted in a capacity London O2 Arena crowd sporadically booing the lack of action from the second round. Most likely a result of Joshua’s caution and an expectation of an early explosive knockout.

In a ‘damned if I do, or damned if I don’t’ contest, that Joshua got the job done with the minimum of fuss, is to his credit. It sets him up ‘contender-wise’ to a lucrative payday in the Middle East early in 2024 against former WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (43-2-1, 42 KO’s) who’d previously blown away Helenius (now 32-5, 21 KO’s) inside the opening round.

The odds will be heavily stacked against Joshua defeating the big punching American, but hey this is heavyweight boxing !

During Saturday’s proceedings you also couldn’t help thinking how Joshua would have fared against some top British heavyweights of yesteryear. Would he have beaten the often derided, for lack of punch resistance, but still former WBC champion Frank Bruno (40-5, 38 KO’s). And, would he have stood a chance against former and ironically the last undisputed world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (41-2-1, 32 KO’s) ? A resounding ‘No’ by most observers and experts.

On the evidence from the O2 Arena Saturday, both these former champions would have beaten Joshua. Lewis almost certainly, and Bruno likely too by knockout. Bruno; from Wandsworth, south London,  certainly knew how to punch, and you wouldn’t have seen him delay a knockout of Helenius, as Joshua did.

Bruno would have likely blown the Finn out inside three rounds. One recalls his first professional contest in the USA against Mike Jameson in July 1983, and his 1:50 sec blow out victory over former WBA world heavyweight champion Gerrie Coetzee in March 1986 to earn his first of three world title shots.

Whilst it is convenient and good banter to compare boxers from different eras, it was a thought that sprung to my mind as I watched Joshua poke and probe his way in, always erring on the side of caution.

The shout for Joshua to return to his all out attack and destructive best is getting louder fight by fight, but, I fear we may have witnessed it’s final demise. In our view he has become a cerebral fighter with a safety first approach and, it will take much more than this to make a dent in Wilder, who sure can punch.

The fight will be big bucks, by virtue of being held in the desert and both boxers will undoubtedly add many more noughts to their already bloated bank balances. It will be hyped to the hilt, likely broadcast pay-per-view and watched by millions when it eventually takes place. But, whoever is victorious, will not really add much to their legacies or the annals of the Heavyweight Championship of the World.

We all know there are two other elite heavyweights out there in Oleksandr Usyk (20-0, 13 KO’s) and Tyson Fury (33-0-1, 23 KO’s) who are a notch above Joshua and Wilder and, until they meet, the real title of Heavyweight Champion of the World will be vacant.

I would dearly like to see, and importantly, believe it is possible, that Joshua can be victorious against Wilder, but a reset to his street fighting mentality is his only real route to victory. His support team, I hope, will finally accept this in preparing him for this and any future challenges. Whilst his record to date has to be admired, he will forever be defined by his next two contests.

We hope he rises to this.