How will the Day of Reckoning affect Heavyweight Boxing?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
Showdown in the Desert
Although there are no titles at stake this weekend, the heavyweight division world rankings could be seriously shaken up this weekend. Boxing Day comes three days early to Saudi Arabia with ten boxers currently in the top ten heavyweight rankings of the various organising bodies all in action. Just how could the ‘Day of Reckoning’ change boxing?
Joshua Continues on the Comeback Trail
Anthony Joshua is no stranger to fighting in Saudi Arabia. The former two-time world champion knows he has to keep winning if he wants another title shot in 2024. Losing to Otto Wallin on December 23 would be a total disaster for him.
2024 could be a massive year for Joshua. It’s likely to begin with a massive fight against Deontay Wilder. A win in that much anticipated showdown would set up a title shot against the winner of the Usyk v Fury undisputed title match. Another possible fight is against Filip Hrgovic (also in action on Saturday) for the IBF title if that gets stripped from Usyk next year.
Since losing twice to Usyk, Joshua has had two fights with victories over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius. The British boxer didn’t impress fans in either of those two wins but they’ve kept him in the title picture.
Now he takes on Otto Wallin who is ranked second by the IBF, a place above Joshua. Just why he’s ranked so high is a bit of a mystery but most rankings are these days. His last fight was in September against Murat Gassiev. Wallin won a split points decision but one judge gave the fight to his opponent by six rounds!
Wallin’s only professional loss has been to Tyson Fury in 2014. Fury needed 47 stitches for a cut eye and in many countries the fight would have been stopped. Wallin lacks a win over a major contender and Joshua really needs to get a good stoppage win against him.
Tougher Task for Wilder
Deontay Wilder has only had one fight since losing to Tyson Fury in 2021. That was against Robert Helenius in October of last year and he knocked his opponent out just before the end of round one. That inactivity isn’t going to help the former WBC champion and he really should have had at least one fight this year.
Wilder’s strength is his ability to knock an opponent out with just one punch. It saved him a few times and so nearly got him wins over Fury. His punching power is awesome and it's likely to be on display again this weekend.
This Saturday he takes on former WBO champion Joseph Parker who needs a big win to get himself back in the title picture. Losses to Anthony Joshua, Dillian Whyte and Joe Joyce have been major setbacks for the New Zealander.
Recent wins have come against lower ranked opposition. He desperately needs to get a win against Wilder to give himself any chance of a future title fight.
Pressure on Dubois
Just like Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois is on the comeback trail. The summer saw him lose a controversial title fight against Olaksandr Usyk, one he believes should have been won by knockout. He put Usyk on the floor but it was ruled a low blow and he eventually lost in the ninth round.
Now Dubois faces the unbeaten Jarrell Miller who has a professional record of 26 wins and one draw. The draw was ten years ago and he’d have won if not having points deducted for pushing. Miller was scheduled to challenge Anthony Joshua for the world title in 2019 but was pulled out after failing a drugs test.
He’s won three fights this year including a win over Lucas Browne. For both of these fighters this is a bout that they just can’t afford to lose. A title shot might not be on the horizon but if the titles were to fragment, then they need to be in prime position.
Also on a stacked bill is Filip Hrgovic who is the number one challenger for the IBF version of the title. He’s unbeaten in 16 professional fights and bids for win number 17 against Mark De Mori who has 41 pro wins but only lasted a couple of minutes against David Haye in 2016.
Also undefeated and fighting in Saudi Arabia on Saturday is Frank Sanchez who is ranked fourth by the WBC. The Cuban is undefeated in 23 pro fights and currently the WBC Continental Americas Heavyweight champion. He’s up against Junior Fa who has lost to Joseph Parker and Lucas Browne in his last three fights, the latter a first round defeat. Two unbeaten contenders meet as Arslanbek Makhmudov takes on Agit Kabayel.
The heavyweight division rankings could well have a very different look to them by the end of December 23. Reputations may be enhanced and others left in tatters with a few sore heads on Christmas Eve.
