These upcoming eliminators will determine the future of the heavyweight division
There's a queue forming for the world heavyweight titles, with seemingly more eliminators than usual in the calender. There's a whole host of heavyweight contenders that could potentially get their shot at the biggest prize in boxing next. Although the world is eager for an undisputed clash between WBC champ Tyson Fury and the winner of this weekend's rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua, there's a plentitude of other exciting match-ups to be made.
BBN have listed each eliminator below which will determine the future of the heavyweight landscape.
WBC (Tyson Fury)
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Luis Ortiz
September 4, Los Angeles
Former unified heavyweight world champion Andy “The Destroyer” Ruiz Jr. and top contender Luis “King Kong” Ortiz meet first in a much-anticipated WBC Heavyweight World Title Eliminator which headlines a FOX Sports PBC Pay-Per-View on September 4 in a Labor Day weekend clash at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Deontay Wilder vs Robert Helenius
October 15, Brooklyn
Wilder and Helenius pair off at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on October 15 in an eliminator for Fury's WBC title, which he still possesses despite announcing his retirement from boxing recently… again! The World Boxing Council have given him until August 26 to decide what to with his green and gold belt.
By the middle of October, there will be an answer as to who will feature in the WBC Final Eliminator, which most fight fans will be hoping for Wilder vs Ruiz.
WBA (Oleksandr Usyk)
Hughie Fury vs Michael Hunter
Date to be confirmed
Hughie Fury and Michael Hunter were due to face off in a Final WBA World Title Eliminator on July 2 at the AO Arena in Manchester, but was postponed due to an illness to the American.
However, with the WBA's nonsense 'Regular' title, the winner of this will only get to face Daniel Dubois and not the 'Super' champion.
Robert Helenius
WBA Eliminator Winner
Robert Helenius has already won two WBA World heavyweight title eliminators now, with a brace of wins over Adam Kownacki, so the 'Nordic Nightmare' is first in line for the winner of Usyk vs Joshua. If he wins against Wilder in the WBC elim. in October, then the 38-year-old Finn should have the strongest claim for a challenge.
Dillian Whyte
World title Contender
Dillian's brother, Dean Whyte, confirmed this week that they are pushing to land a world title shot with WBA 'Regular' holder Daniel Dubois. It would be a fantastic fight to make, guaranteeing big viewership here in the UK, as well the rest of the world with Dubois and Whyte known to U.S. fans, plus it's a hard one to call, bit of a pick'em fight between two big hitters, which adds intrigue.
IBF (Oleksandr Usyk)
Filip Hrgovic vs Zhilei Zhang
August 20, Jeddah
Croatian Heavyweight star Filip Hrgovic (14-0, 12 KOs) meets China’s undefeated Zhilei Zhang (24-0-1, 19 KOs) in a Final Eliminator for the IBF Heavyweight World Title. The rivals were originally set to clash on the undercard of Canelo Alvarez vs. Dmitry Bivol in May but will now do battle on the Red Sea.
WBO (Oleksandr Usyk)
Joe Joyce vs Joseph Parker
September 24, Manchester
WBO #1 Joe Joyce (14-0, 13KO) will take on former world champion Joseph Parker (30-2, 21KO) on September 24 at the AO Arena in Manchester, exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office, promoted by Frank Warren for Queensberry Promotions in association with BOXXER.
The heavyweight collision between No.1 and No.2 in the WBO rankings, as well as being rated at No.2 and No.3 by the WBC, will represent a shootout to determine who will be made mandatory challenger for the winner of the forthcoming rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua.
IBO (Oleksandr Usyk)
Although there's no official eliminator for the IBO title as yet, the rankings show #1 Anthony Joshua and #2 Joe Joyce as the top two in their heavyweight division. As AJ is challenging for the IBO belt next and 'JJJ' is involved in a WBO eliminator, there's no need for an eliminator for this title at present.
Other Potential Contenders
Frank Sanchez: WBC #4 / IBF #9 / WBO #3
Otto Wallin: WBC #10 / IBF #12 / WBO #8
Martin Bakole: WBC #11 / WBA #5 / IBF #7 / WBO #14
Arslanbek Makhmudov: WBC #6 / WBA #6
Emerging Contenders
Demsey McKean: IBF #13 / WBO #9
Zhan Kossobutskiy: WBC #12 / WBA #8
