The Heavyweights: Do We Now Finally Have Hope

The Heavyweights: Do We Now Finally Have Hope

There’s little doubt tonight’s world heavyweight title fight between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr lacks something, many will argue it lacks everything.

No pre-fight spite, no venom or hate, little doubt as to who will win. Ruiz isn’t what we wanted, but the rest failed to show, refused to sign, Ruiz did and he deserves respect for that at the very least.

I predicted Joshua in 8, it may come sooner, but Ruiz will more than earn his money.

Deontay Wilder has done his best to grab the attention away from Joshua during fight week. He started fight week by saying he will fight Luis Ortiz in a rematch very few want and ended it by saying he will then meet Tyson Fury in a rematch practically everybody wants.

Personally, I would prefer Joshua vs Wilder, but the rematch between Wilder and Fury does need to happen, unfinished business as they say.

The general view is that Fury will right the wrongs from the first fight. Fury should be better with a few more fights under his belt, but what about Wilder. Did Wilder get caught up with all the pantomime build-up, did he prepare with the perception one punch would be all he needed, I doubt Wilder will be as poor again.

If Wilder is to be believed and those fights happen Joshua will have to move on. Mandatories await, Kubrat Pulev and Oleksandr Usyk look to be in his immediate future.

Where does this leave Dillian Whyte, with Fury and Wilder seemingly out of reach, will he get his return with Joshua. Probably not, he will need to drop his hourly rate and hope.

Wilder’s announcements are welcomed, and perfectly timed in more ways than one. Taking away some of the attention from Joshua is smart, and hopefully, a sign that the fights we truly want are beginning to come.

Sadly at my ever advancing years, I am an old cynic, believe it when I see it, but at least we now have hope.

Photo Credit: Matchroom