Neither fans of the heavyweight division, nor most of the fighting big men themselves, have had too much to get excited about this year. With world ruler Tyson Fury’s well documented problems having seen to it that he has not boxed at all in 2016 (and will not do so until 2017 at the earliest, if even then) it has fallen on the other heavyweight belt holders to entertain the fans.
But between them, WBC champ Deontay Wilder, “interim” WBA ruler Luis Ortiz and Lucas Browne, a brief holder of yet another version of the WBA belt, have had a less than great year themselves.
Wilder has boxed just twice this year and, like Fury, he will be out until next year; due to injury, not mental health problems which have plagued Fury. Wilder started out 2016 in style, when he scored a chilling KO over Artur Szpilka in January, but a so-so showing against Chris Arreola left Wilder nursing a bad hand injury as well as torn biceps. And to add insult to injury, the July Arreola fight was a late replacement for a huge fight, for far more money, against Alexander Povetkin in Russia.
That fight, if he had won it, would have elevated Wilder in a big way, but Povetkin got embroiled in that whole unfortunate drugs mess . Here’s hoping Wilder, and Povetkin, have a much better 2017.
Browne too got his name in the papers due to failing a drugs test, only for a trip to court to get the Australian warrior a second shot – likely to come against Fres Oquendo soon. Browne, never a real cheat, fought the fight of his life in defeating Ruslan Chagaev in Russia in March, and it was such a shame when his win was tarnished with what came after. Browne may fight again before the year is out and he more than deserves some good luck.
Ortiz, who boxed just once this year, stopping Tony Thompson in March, has had a quite terrible 2016. Not only has the Cuban been unable to get the big fights he wants – and many would say deserves – but he also made the seemingly crazy decision to leave promotional outfit Golden Boy. It seems that at age 37, and with no powerful promoter looking after him, Ortiz will simply fade away. This scenario would be quite depressing indeed. But has Ortiz got himself largely to blame?
Anthony Joshua, the IBF champ, has at least had a good year. Winning the belt from a very poor Charles Martin in April, AJ has made one retention; a stoppage win over a game Dominic Breazeale. There could also be a big fight for Joshua before the year is over (we still await confirmation of his November 26 opponent).
At non-title level, David Haye has also been a disappointment this year. The former WBA champ fought twice, but against woefully over-matched opposition; and even then Haye did not look spectacular. Worse still, Haye has seemingly backed out of his verbally agreed fight with Shannon Briggs. This anticipated fight at least got people talking. Just what Haye’s next move will be we can only guess; and the same can be said of Briggs.
Wladimir Klitschko has not, and probably will not, box this year (for obvious reasons) and his frustrations have been matched by those suffered by heavyweight boxing fans. On a more positive note, New Zealand’s unbeaten Joseph Parker has worked hard and has enjoyed a good 2016. Hopefully he and Joshua will give us a great fight to cheer about some time soon. Something the heavyweight division has not (yet) given us in 2016.
