By Gav Duthie: There are currently 5 British heavyweights (6 if you include David Haye) who have aspirations to win world titles in the division. Tyson Fury seems the closest to a world title shot but following close behind are cousin Hughie Fury, David Price, Anthony Joshua and emerging fighter Dillian Whyte. Who if any of these fighters will be world champions within the year?
1. Tyson Fury 23-0 (17)
Has to go on top at present as he is the closest to a shot. He is mandatory with the WBO and Deontay Wilder wants to fight him also. As expected he beat Christian Hammer easily on saturday night. For me Hammer is probably the highest ranked average fighter of the lot and Tyson rightly stopped him. Hammer was good enough to make Fury train and keep him honest but at 6″2 at without a big punch Fury was fine. Then comes Klitschko or Wilder. I don’t think he can beat Wladimir and as for Wilder he will also have problems. Fury has improved but still seems susceptible to the overhand right (knocked down by Neven Pajkic and Steve Cunningham) and that is Deontay’s best punch.
World title shot by 2016 – Yes
World champion by 2016 – No
2. Anthony Joshua 10-0 (10)
Despite Hughie Fury beating Rudenko and David Price being more experienced I have to put Joshua in as the UK’s number 2 heavyweight. He has two fights scheduled for April with Kevin Johnson being the latter. Johnson has never been stopped which includes fighting Vitaly Klitschko so Joshua should get some decent rounds in. For me 2015 is still about a numbers game. Hearn will look to get him to 15-0 if possible and also for him to get some rounds in. His biggest test if any will be a domestic clash with the likes of Derek Chisora or a grudge match against Dillian Whyte who beat Joshua as an amateur.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtftcnNdYoc
World title shot by 2016 – No
World champion by 2016 – No
3. David Price 20-2 (17)
His back to back losses to Tony Thompson have no doubt effected him but he is still a dangerous fighter. At 6″9 and with one of the best punches in the division nobody should take him lightly. He has been fighting in Germany for his last 4 bouts but says he is ready to return to the Liverpool Echo Arena and his next fight will be against a top ten ranked opponent. Eddie Hearn says Price has went backwards and he would be happy to put Anthony Joshua in with him at any time. Price says he is back but he won’t properly feel confident until he beats an opponent at least on the same level as Tony Thompson.
World title shot by 2016 – No
World champion by 2016 – No
4. Hughie Fury 15-0 (8)
A few times I have watched him and wasn’t entirely convinced by his power but beating Rudenko was a great step up. Hughie had a horrible 2014 with injury, illness and he also lost his father. I would like to see him fight for the British title as Tyson Fury should give it up. Gary Cornish 20-0 (11), Richard Towers 15-1 (12) or Dereck Chisora would make interesting opponents.
World title shot by 2016 – No
World champion by 2016 – No
5. Dillian Whyte 14-0 (11)
Interesting character. Has fought five times in the last 4 months after being banned for two years. He has called out Anthony Joshua reminding us he beat him as an amateur. A lot has changed since then though and I expect Joshua would win this easily. Saying that Whyte is making a lot of noise and asking AJ the question so he needs to answer it.
World title shot by 2016 – No
World champion by 2016 – No
So in conclusion I have surmised that no Brit will become a heavyweight world champion. However my ratings are probably quite rash 1. Because of the dominance of Wladimir Klitschko and 2. Most of them simply are not ready yet but may well be in the future. I do think at least Tyson Fury and Joshua are good enough to win world titles post Klitschko era but when Wladimir will retire who knows.
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