By Geno McGahee
On December 3rd, Tyson Fury, 33-0-1, 24 KO’s, defended his WBC title with a battering of fringe contender, Derek Chisora, winning by tenth round stoppage. The victory was a keep busy fight when Anthony Joshua and Oleksandr Usyk, the unified heavyweight champion, couldn’t come to an agreement. Now that time has passed, there is hope that a heavyweight mega fight is coming in 2023.
Fury has one of the biggest comeback stories in the history of boxing. After winning the heavyweight title in 2015, overcoming the long-reigning king of the division, Wladimir Klitschko, a series of drug problems and weight problems would end Fury’s career. He’d return in a trilogy that stands with the best heavyweight trilogies of all time as he got the best of Deontay Wilder with a 2-0-1 record in the series.
Focusing on fighting in places like Las Vegas, Fury understands how to bring excitement and the gamers come out when the big men lace up the gloves. The casinos see a lot of action when the heavyweight title is in town, but as many watch on pay per view, the boxing and gaming fans find their casinos online with rummy wealth 777 being one of the homes for some great action.
The fight that most boxing fans want is the unification match with Usyk, 20-0, 13 KO’s. Usyk dominated the cruiserweight division before moving up to take on the favored heavyweight kingpin, Anthony Joshua, 24-3, 22 KO’s, and dominated taking the titles. He would win again in the rematch and sits atop the division, seen as the best or second best behind Fury. A Fury-Usyk match would be the biggest fight in heavyweight boxing.
Should Usyk not be able to come to terms with Fury, there is the potential for an all-British heavyweight matchup that would easily fill any arena. A Fury-Joshua match would be a big deal in the UK, even if Joshua is seen as damaged goods. The British fans have so much invested in him that they would be there to support him and to also support Fury as well. This fight could be the biggest money-maker for both men, but Joshua seems to want to face Dillian Whyte instead, a much easier and winnable proposition.
Joe Joyce, 15-0, 14 KO’s, another British big man, is quickly becoming a title contender. With victories over Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, Joyce is right in line should the top of the division cannot clear up. With a durable chin, power and a style that puts endless pressure on his opponent, nobody has been able to cope. Fighters that are known for durability and power have had no impact on him and have crumbled. Teddy Atlas rightfully compares him to George Foreman. A Fury-Joyce fight would be very interesting.
The wildcard is the former WBC champion, Deontay Wilder, 43-2-1, 42 KO’s. Under the guidance of Malik Scott, Wilder showed great improvement in style and approach in his one round knockout over Robert Helenius. It’s safe to say that if Fury did not return that Wilder would still be undefeated and terrorizing the division. No matter who Wilder fights, he will be favored because of that big punch and even though Fury has survived him and beat him twice, he always has a chance to win and should he continue to improve, he could rule the division once again.
A longshot to get a fight with Fury is former champion, Andy Ruiz, 35-2, 22 KO’s. The first man to defeat Anthony Joshua has been failing to impress since. He struggled with the spent force, Chris Arreola, and struggled to overcome Luis Ortiz, taking a decision. After beating Joshua, he would lose a wide decision in the rematch and came in very overweight. Ruiz is unlikely to beat any of the other boxers that have been mentioned above.
For Fury, he is holding all the cards. Whoever he fights the world will be watching.
