By Geno McGahee
The Covid has knocked a lot of sports down, but boxing is ready to rise before the count of ten. Along with the highly anticipated return of Mike Tyson and Roy Jones, JR., a heavyweight tournament is set to crown an undisputed champion and all parties seem rather intent on being the man that wears that crown.
With the announcement, the boxing fans have already begun discussing who they are betting on. Online gambling has become a hot ticket and places like Gambling Times New Jersey is proving to be a go to place for many people ready to get that casino action and sports betting that they have sorely missed with the coronavirus keeping them all under house arrest.
The WBC title will be settled in the finale of a trilogy between undefeated champion, Tyson Fury, and determined former champion, Deontay Wilder. The record is 1-0-1 in favor of Fury in this series but Wilder wants to make a statement and finally find the mark for that right hand to reclaim his heavyweight crown.
The winner of Fury-Wilder will take on the winner of Dillian Whyte and former world champion, Alexander Povetkin. Whyte has been demanding a shot at any title and has been consistently winning with his only defeat being at the hands of Anthony Joshua. Povetkin is beyond his better years and is much slower than he used to be, but the last thing that a fighter loses is his punch and he could pull the upset if he lands, but look for Whyte to move on to take on the winner in this WBC bracket of the tournament.
The IBF/IBO/WBA/WBO titles held by Anthony Joshua will be on the line against the capable Kubrat Pulev. Joshua avenged his only defeat to Andy Ruiz, JR., to reclaim his belts and will be back in the ring against Pulev. It’s fair to say that Pulev has been consistent but unremarkable and Joshua is a big favorite to move on in this tournament.
The final bout of the tournament and the fight that will determine who will take on the winner of Joshua-Pulev is a fight between former dominant cruiserweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk and recurring contender, Derek Chisora. Usyk has high heavyweight hopes and his bout with former title challenger, Chisora, will show if he belongs in the division or not. This will be an interesting one.
A finale between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua would be one of the biggest fights in history if the two pull through. Whatever happens, this is exciting news and a great time for the sport of heavyweight boxing.