02-16-2016, 05:15 PM
NakiFan, to supplement your line-up:
Heavyweight division heating up
There’s more excitement in the heavyweight division at the moment than there has been in years.
The latest development is the April 9 clash between IBF world champion Charles Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs). To date, neither fighter has a signature pro win on his resume, but that will change April 9. Kudos to both for taking a risky fight.
On March 5, WBA “regular” champion Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1, 21 KOs) defends against unbeaten Lucas Browne (23-0, 20 KOs). Chagaev is an experienced top ten-level heavyweight, whereas this is a major step-up fight for Browne, so we’ll see what “Big Daddy” is made of.
On the same date, WBA “interim” champion Luis Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) takes on veteran Tony Thompson. Of all the current top-flight heavyweights, Ortiz had the most impressive KO in 2015 when he stopped Bryant Jennings. The crafty 44-year-old Thompson may still be capable of springing a surprise.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) should be facing mandatory challenger and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) this summer. After three voluntary defenses, this will be by far Wilder’s toughest opponent to date. Povetkin has four straight KOs since being manhandled by Wladimir Klitschko.
Also later this year, WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) will look to prove his upset win over longtime champion Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) wasn’t a fluke. Klitschko, who will be 40 years of age when the bell rings, seeks to show whether or not he still has it.
The X-factor in the division is unbeaten Joseph Parker (18-0, 16 KOs), who has somehow risen to number one in the WBO rankings despite facing no one resembling a legitimate contender. He’s scheduled to return on April 17 against TBA.
Heavyweight division heating up
There’s more excitement in the heavyweight division at the moment than there has been in years.
The latest development is the April 9 clash between IBF world champion Charles Martin (23-0-1, 21 KOs) and 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist Anthony Joshua (15-0, 15 KOs). To date, neither fighter has a signature pro win on his resume, but that will change April 9. Kudos to both for taking a risky fight.
On March 5, WBA “regular” champion Ruslan Chagaev (34-2-1, 21 KOs) defends against unbeaten Lucas Browne (23-0, 20 KOs). Chagaev is an experienced top ten-level heavyweight, whereas this is a major step-up fight for Browne, so we’ll see what “Big Daddy” is made of.
On the same date, WBA “interim” champion Luis Ortiz (24-0, 21 KOs) takes on veteran Tony Thompson. Of all the current top-flight heavyweights, Ortiz had the most impressive KO in 2015 when he stopped Bryant Jennings. The crafty 44-year-old Thompson may still be capable of springing a surprise.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs) should be facing mandatory challenger and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) this summer. After three voluntary defenses, this will be by far Wilder’s toughest opponent to date. Povetkin has four straight KOs since being manhandled by Wladimir Klitschko.
Also later this year, WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) will look to prove his upset win over longtime champion Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) wasn’t a fluke. Klitschko, who will be 40 years of age when the bell rings, seeks to show whether or not he still has it.
The X-factor in the division is unbeaten Joseph Parker (18-0, 16 KOs), who has somehow risen to number one in the WBO rankings despite facing no one resembling a legitimate contender. He’s scheduled to return on April 17 against TBA.