Panel
Boxers, coaches and experts
British heavyweight candidates rise on the ladder to hit the world title as they try to break into the future plans of Anthony Joshua or Tyson Fury
Last updated: 23/12/20 19:42
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Fabio Wardley boosted his reputation with an explosive knockout victory
Fabio Wardley boosted his reputation with an explosive knockout victory
Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury hold all the world titles in the heavyweight division, but which British rivals are serious challenges? The commission selected several candidates …
Britain currently dominates the top division as Joshua recently retained the WBA, IBF and WBO belts by knocking out Kubrat Pulev in the ninth round, while Fury became the WBC champion by stopping Deontay Wilder in February.
1:34 Anthony Joshua is “ready and eager” for a massive confrontation with Tyson Fury
But which contenders could emerge from the domestic division and fight for the world title?
Carl Froch
I have to tell Joe Joyce. I saw him sparring hundreds of rounds on the England team when I was there for the last four, five years of my career, and I saw him there with AJ.
Joe Joyce defeated Daniel Dubois to lay down for his fight for the world title
He doesn’t look capable when he shapes himself and releases his punches, but he’s more than capable when he steps into the ring with someone. We also saw that against Daniel Dubois, when everyone chose Dubois to win. It wasn’t very close, he arrested him with a stab.
I know he is 35 years old, but he is in shape, strong and full of self-confidence.
Adam Smith
If you’re looking for a new name to appear in 2021, then you need to tell Joe Joyce. Yes, there are younger heavyweights like Fabio Wardley, but I think what Joe Joyce did proved that a lot of people make mistakes.
He won the titles of Britain, the Commonwealth and Europe, and whether he can win the world title, I’m not 100 percent sure. But what I do know is that he will be in really good fights and I think you can match him with Derek Chisor, Andy Ruiz Jr., Joseph Parker and Alexander Usyk.
There are big fights for Joe Joyce.
Johnny Nelson
Fabio Wardley. If you looked at him, you wouldn’t give him the credit he deserves, but I’ve turned into a fan. It’s actually a lot better than I thought.
3:32 Fabio Wardley says KO’s victory over Richard Lartey has responded to his critics
He has great foot movements, skills and reflexes. He really slipped under the radar.
Matthew Macklin
I think it still has to be Dillian Whyte. I know that he was knocked out by Alexander Povetkin, but he boxed very well until that shot. He knocked down Povetkin twice in the previous round and I thought he was on his way to probably get a stop victory. But it’s heavyweight boxing.
1:16 Dillian Whyte says Joshua made a “weird” show against Kubrat Pulev
Obviously Joe Joyce brings a good win over Daniel Dubois. Suddenly, he puts himself in that combination.
Derek Chisora will also never be far away, although he lost to Oleksandr Usyk, forcing him to work hard there.
Dave Coldwell
I would say Fabio Wardley and David Adeleye, I like the look of the two of them. They made good progress.
Wardley was very impressive in his last fight, especially in the final. He has charisma and personality, good style, exciting and acts hard. You just need to gain that experience.
David Adeleye sparred with Joshua
I also like Adeleye’s style, a great hitter, and he seems to want to learn too. He toured gyms, developed.
Andy Clarke
That must be Joe Joyce. He is someone he will constantly underestimate, no matter what he does. You watch him and he doesn’t really look that special, but it’s going to be really hard for someone to beat him.
Only true top heavyweights will be able to beat him.
Yes, I think he could win the world title if they split in the future. I would love to see Dillian Whyte against Joe Joyce.