Boxing’s heavyweight division has failed to live up to expectations in 2018… Next year the best must face each other
As the year draws to a close, it's hard to look back on boxing's heavyweight division without a tinge of scepticism as to why some of the big fights that could have been did not happen.
We were promised fireworks and told that Anthony Joshua would be fighting to become the undisputed, unified, heavyweight champion of the world. But it never materialised.
The year began on track for Joshua with victory over Kiwi Joseph Parker by a unanimous decision to claim the WBO heavyweight title – his third of the four major belts – but he has all but dropped off the radar since, only fighting Alexander Povetkin.
Fury fights back
Joshua has the shock return of Tyson Fury to thank for his break from the spotlight. Fury took up the mantle and went to America to face the only other world title holder, Deontay Wilder, in what was ultimately the biggest heavyweight contest of the year.
With that ending in a controversial draw, a rematch is on the cards and in turn, a concerning period for Joshua and his promoter Eddie Hearn, who has failed to utilise his biggest asset effectively this year after negotiations with Wilder fell through.
There is no doubt that the boxing world wants to see Joshua face Wilder and Fury at some point, but with a rematch between those two all but confirmed, having been sanctioned by the WBO, the Watford-born fighter will likely have to wait until later in 2019.
Whyte v Chisora II
A date for Joshua's next bout at Wembley in April is already confirmed and it looks increasingly likely that it will be against another Briton in the form of Dillian Whyte or Dereck Chisora. They go head to head for that privilege on Saturday, according to Hearn – unless Wilder or Fury become available.
Whyte has bounced back since losing to Joshua in 2015 and although he would not represent a huge fight on a global scale, it would certainly be one that Brits tuned in for.
He has won all eight of his fights since that bruising defeat to AJ and it could soon be nine if he can come out on top against Chisora for a second time, having beaten him by split decision two years ago.
One of the opponents Whyte has dispatched this year is Parker, who has suffered a major setback this year. Having lost his belt to Joshua, he then suffered defeat in the follow-up fight with Whyte at the O2 in July.
The 26-year-old has teed up a must-win match with Alexander Flores back home in Christchurch but a return to the elite group in the division would likely only come about if he can earn a mandatory contest.
While Parker clings on, this has been a year in which some boxers' careers have effectively ended.
Povetkin, 39, will struggle to return from his defeat to Joshua, while Tony Bellew put paid to David Haye's comeback attempts before also being stopped in his tracks by Oleksandr Usyk in a cruiserweight fight.
Waiting in the wings
While they are unlikely to fight again, Usyk, 31, has spoken of his desire to step up to heavyweight level.
His unorthodox, southpaw style could serve him well, but at 6ft 3ins and 14 stone he is at a considerable height and weight disadvantage compared with nearly all of those he seeks to beat.
There is also noise coming out of America from Jarrell Miller, who is thought of as the next best heavyweight from the States after Wilder.
He has a 100 per cent record, winning 20 of his 23 fights by knockout, and has previously called out Joshua. The pair squared up at a publicity event in New York in July.
While it has been an interesting year, it fell below the standards that the division has set for itself in recent history and served mostly to build suspense and anticipation for a unification battle – and Joshua to prove himself against the best the world has to offer.
In 2019, there should be no more excuses: the best must fight the best.