06-21-2016, 01:53 PM
Heavyweight division comes to life
By Karl Freitag
Most of the top heavyweights in boxing will see action over the next few weeks. It all starts on Saturday when IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) defends against Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) at the O2 Arena in London. Joshua is currently a 40:1 favorite at 5dimes.
On July 9th comes the grudge rematch between WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) against former longtime champ Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Wlad is a slight favorite in that one.
On July 16th is the return of WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs), who takes on Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) in a voluntary defense at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Wilder is currently a 35:1 favorite.
Then on July 23, unbeaten #1 rated IBF and WBO heavyweight Joseph Parker (19-0, 16 KOs) returns against WBA #11 Solomon Haumono (24-2-2, 21 KOs) at the Horncastle Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. Parker is a whopping 125:1 to win that one.
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Among other notables in the division, WBC #1 rated Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) is currently on hold while the WBC investigates a positive drug test.
WBA regular heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (34-3-1, 21 KOs), recently reinstated as champion by the WBA, is expected to face Fres Oquendo (37-8, 24 KOs) later this year in the WBA heavyweight tournament.
WBA interim heavyweight champion Luis Ortiz (25-0, 22 KOs) is expected to return in September against Alexander Ustinov in the WBA heavyweight tournament.
Former WBA regular heavyweight champion Lucas Browne (24-0, 21 KOs) is currently on suspension until September after being stripped due to a positive drug test after stopping the aforementioned Chagaev in March.
IBF #2 heavyweight Kubrat Pulev (23-1, 12 KOs) currently has nothing scheduled after beating Derek Chisora last month.
Former heavyweight champions David Haye (28-2, 26 KOs) and Shannon Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs) are planning a September showdown in London.
By Karl Freitag
Most of the top heavyweights in boxing will see action over the next few weeks. It all starts on Saturday when IBF heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (16-0, 16 KOs) defends against Dominic Breazeale (17-0, 15 KOs) at the O2 Arena in London. Joshua is currently a 40:1 favorite at 5dimes.
On July 9th comes the grudge rematch between WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (25-0, 18 KOs) against former longtime champ Wladimir Klitschko (64-4, 53 KOs) at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Wlad is a slight favorite in that one.
On July 16th is the return of WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder (36-0, 35 KOs), who takes on Chris Arreola (36-4-1, 31 KOs) in a voluntary defense at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. Wilder is currently a 35:1 favorite.
Then on July 23, unbeaten #1 rated IBF and WBO heavyweight Joseph Parker (19-0, 16 KOs) returns against WBA #11 Solomon Haumono (24-2-2, 21 KOs) at the Horncastle Arena in Christchurch, New Zealand. Parker is a whopping 125:1 to win that one.
* * *
Among other notables in the division, WBC #1 rated Alexander Povetkin (30-1, 22 KOs) is currently on hold while the WBC investigates a positive drug test.
WBA regular heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev (34-3-1, 21 KOs), recently reinstated as champion by the WBA, is expected to face Fres Oquendo (37-8, 24 KOs) later this year in the WBA heavyweight tournament.
WBA interim heavyweight champion Luis Ortiz (25-0, 22 KOs) is expected to return in September against Alexander Ustinov in the WBA heavyweight tournament.
Former WBA regular heavyweight champion Lucas Browne (24-0, 21 KOs) is currently on suspension until September after being stripped due to a positive drug test after stopping the aforementioned Chagaev in March.
IBF #2 heavyweight Kubrat Pulev (23-1, 12 KOs) currently has nothing scheduled after beating Derek Chisora last month.
Former heavyweight champions David Haye (28-2, 26 KOs) and Shannon Briggs (60-6-1, 53 KOs) are planning a September showdown in London.