Top 10 British heavyweights
After last weekend's unified world championship battle between Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk and Briton Anthony Joshua, the heavyweight landscape has now shifted towards an undisputed clash between Usyk and Tyson Fury, which is reportedly being made for December 17.
Not only are all eyes on a monumental undisputed showdown, but there's also a queue of heavyweights lining up for their shot at the big-time too. While the world heavyweight titles have been held up with rematches between Usyk-Joshua and Fury-Wilder, the line of contenders has steadily grown, with half a dozen eliminators scheduled at present.
With all eyes on the heavyweight division, BBN have decided to list their top 10 from the UK:
#1 Tyson Fury
WBC Champion / TBRB Champion
'The Gypsy King' is not currently ranked on BoxRec due to announcing his retirement this month. However, until he vacates his WBC belt, he is still the champion, which is why he holds the top spot in this list, as Britain's only 'full' world champion at present.
#2 Anthony Joshua
WBA #4 / IBF #4 / WBO #3 / IBO #1 / Ring #1 / TBRB #2 / BoxRec #2
Despite suffering his second consecutive loss, AJ is ranked with four of the five governing bodies, as well as being the highest ranked Briton with the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, Ring Magazine and BoxRec.
#3 Joe Joyce
WBC Silver Champion / WBC #2 / IBF #5 / WBO #1 / IBO #2 / Ring #7 / TBRB #6 / BoxRec #8
WBC Silver champ, Joe Joyce, is about to clash with Joseph Parker in a WBO Final Eliminator, so is the closest Brit in line for a shot at the world heavyweight titles.
#4 Dillian Whyte
WBC #7 / IBF #11 / IBO #4 / Ring #4 / TBRB #7 / BoxRec #4
After finally realising his long-awaited shot at the WBC title, Whyte was beating comprehensively in six rounds by fellow Brit Tyson Fury in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium in April. Despite the defeat, 'The Body Snatcher' is still ranked highly with three of the five bodies, as well as top 10 spots with TBRB and BoxRec, maintainng his position as one of the key heavyweight players in the world. The 35-year-old Londoner is now targeting a fight with WBA titlist Daniel Dubois next.
#5 Dereck Chisora
WBC #15 / IBO #7 / BoxRec #6
Chisora's latest win over Kubrat Pulev has put the colourful character firmly back into the world heavyweight title mix, with Fury recently offering the Londoner a shot at his WBC bauble to complete their trilogy.
#6 Daniel Dubois
WBA Regular Champion / IBO #12 / BoxRec #18
Although Dubois is a heavyweight world champion, he has been placed slightly down on the list due to the WBA 'Regular' title being largely dismissed by many and because of his lesser ranking with BoxRec. A successful title defence to Dillian Whyte would see the once-beaten Londoner skyrocket upwards, so let's hope we see that big British showdown fight made next.
#7 Hughie Fury
WBC #24 / WBA #2 / IBO #11 / BoxRec #22
Tyson's cousin deservely sits in seventh spot for being ranked with three of the governing bodies, as well as his next fight schedule as a WBA Final Eliminator with avoided American Michael Hunter, which should have happened in July but will be rearranged soon.
#8 Fabio Wardley
WBC #34 / IBO #20 / BoxRec #51
English heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley is unbeaten in 14 fights and slowly creeping into the world rankings. The 27-year-old from Ipswich is due to fight for the vacant British title against Nathan Gorman next.
#9 Nathan Gorman
IBO #27 / BoxRec #60
Since his sole career defeat to domestic rival Dubois in 2019, the 26-year-old from Nantwich has reeled off three victories in a row, but only fought once each year. Three fights in three years hasn't seen much progression for the cousin of Tyson Fury, trained by Ricky Hatton, but if he manages to fight for the British title next, and wins, then the doors should be fully open to him.
#10 David Allen
IBO #89 / BoxRec #45
Although ranked higher in BoxRec than Gorman above him in this list, 30-year-old Allen isn't in contention for any titles like Nathan is. The 'White Rhino' is still highly ranked due to his 27-fight experience, but, like Gorman, he has only fought three times in three years.
Watch Out For:
David Adeleye: IBO #72 / BoxRec #10 (Britain)
Solomon Dacres: BoxRec #11 (Britain)
Kash Ali: IBO #40 / BoxRec #12 (Britain)
Frazer Clarke: BoxRec #14 (Britain)
Johnny Fisher: BoxRec #13 (Britain)
Tommy Welch: BoxRec #20 (Britain)
Matty Harris: BoxRec #45 (Britain)
