Heavyweight in 2022: what happened, who is the best and what to expect in 2023?

The heavyweight category is the main weight in professional boxing, even with deductions. The current heavyweight is interesting and full of characters. And finally, the category is on the verge of an absolute championship.

First time since Lennox Lewis without four belts.

Fury and Usyk are the top category fighters of 2022. The first beat the fighters who were supposed to win, the second won in a rematch

There have been plenty of active boxers advancing to championships in the heavyweight division in 2022, but the main ones are undoubtedly Fury and Usyk. The first was boxed with longtime associates.

He knocked out Dillian Whyte first. The Englishman talked so much and for so long about his championship chances that everyone was fed up with it. But honestly, he waited too long. In total, Dillian sat in the contenders for more than two years, waiting for this chance.

But it didn’t work. He entered the white ring calmly and therefore boxed. He looked somewhat dull and sad on the floor of a major opponent, and he caught an uppercut in the sixth round, resulting in a clean knockout.

After that, Fury spoke for a long time. He talked about his fight with Usyk, his meeting with Joshua, but nothing came of it. Well, not really for anything – Derek came to a meeting against Chisora. Why and why is a huge question. Chisora ​​lasted one round, then continued until the referee stopped the fight in the tenth round.

Two early wins are a good result. But those are just two wins in fights that Fury still needs to win. Moreover, the second fight usually only needed Tyson and Derek to make money.

Usyk boxed once but because of the war. Alexander was nevertheless persuaded to leave and reunited with Joshua. A new country for the struggle and new conditions did not lead the Ukrainians astray. Anthony recovered, boxing harder and more accurately, but still lost at the end of the match and burst into tears.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua

Usyk and Fury talked about unification for a year, but while the Ukrainian was concrete, the British were constantly disappearing somewhere. Either he’s ready to box or he’s already going to Chisora. He either agrees, then calls Joshua into a fight, giving him almost a few days to arrange a meeting. Strange.

The main thing happened at the end of the year – they met face to face as possible future rivals. Tyson shouted at Alexander, who was staring into his eyes. The first promised to shoot the second, but did nothing. There is a lot of noise, there are promises, but it is unclear whether there are any details. Because Fury agreed to meet with Usyk at the same time, but also said that he wanted more fights with Joseph Joyce.

However, the heavyweight is literally one step away from arranging an absolute duel. This is even closer than when Klitschko and Wilder almost started negotiating. Then it was Fury who got in my way, spoiled everything.

In addition to the two leaders, the applicants also studied. First, Wilder is back. Deontay has been away from boxing for a full year, but spent very little time in the ring. In the meeting with Helenius, a knockout was expected, but not in a matter of seconds. The shot turned out to be so accurate and powerful that many recorded the fight as a match.

Daniel Dubois has confirmed his status as a regular WBA champion and beat middle grounders – Trevor Bryan and Kevin Leren. The first caused controversy with Don King. The second is physical problems. However, the Briton survived them and knocked out his opponent. Joe Joyce also proved himself as the main contender: he defeated Christian Hammer and destroyed Joseph Parker. He missed a lot but won brilliantly – typical British.

Andy Ruiz is also notable among the non-British candidates. He boxed only once – against Luis Ortiz, and this fight is neither here nor there. He apparently knocked out his opponent three times, but overall the fight was mediocre and ended with a very close score.

Combination and several powerful battles at the same time possible in 2023

The fight for the absolute championship is quite real. Everyone wants it, except maybe Tyson Fury. There is an assumption that he will definitely have to work, and that he is not inspired by this struggle, which is dangerous. After losing to such a small opponent, there is a chance to miss everything that has accumulated over the years.

Teams are now working on the reality of the struggle. There are many questions: from the venue to the fees involved and other facing conditions. This is always hard to confirm, and even harder when Tyson Fury is on one side. But the duel is real and the whole world wants it.

Getty Images/Global Images Ukraine. Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

You should expect big fights from other sides as well. The main British locomotive after Fury, Joe Joyce, must definitely find a rival no worse than Parker. The fight against Hrgovic for the status of sole contender for the IBF and WBO titles looks particularly fun.

Andy Ruiz is considering a serious fight against Deontay Wilder. The American also supports this idea, which has been around for over a year. A very visually and stylistically unusual confrontation. The winner will receive the WBC belt currently held by Fury.

Anthony Joshua. We only remembered him as a losing fighter and that’s how it is. But it will definitely come back. The British want a fight against Dillian Whyte. A classic British conflict that has already happened. Dillian heavily defeated the American Franklin in 2022, with Anthony generally losing two fights in a row. Fight for anything that may be at stake. for the future.

Joshua needs to regain his trust and this fight is a great choice. Dillian will stand in front of you, you can aim and shoot. To return – right.