Who Could Be The Next Undisputed Heavyweight World Champion?
The heavyweight division in boxing is the healthiest it has been in a number of years, which puts us in a great position to see some fantastic clashes over the next 12 months. There has been no undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis held all four major belts in 2000, but with the prospect of some unification clashes in the near future, here’s a look at who could be the latest to hold that title.
Anthony Joshua
BACKING FOR BIG BABY! @AnthonyFJoshua opponent @JoeBoxerParker admits he is supporting @BigBabyMiller
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Given he holds the WBA, IBF and WBO heavyweight titles at the moment, Anthony Joshua is surely the most likely to follow in the footsteps of his British compatriot Lewis by becoming the next undisputed champion in the division. Joshua has yet to taste defeat as a professional, with the closest he has come to losing being against Wladimir Klitschko when he was floored by the Ukrainian in the sixth round. The 29-year-old is set to defend his three belts against American Jarrell Miller in New York in June. Joshua is -900 to win that contest and make it win number 23 as a pro. Unfortunately, those looking to place a bet on the Brit aren’t going to make much profit; however, you may be able to pick up a free bet or bonus with some sportsbooks, as well as casinos that offer their own sports betting, some of which have been reviewed by Casino Wings. Miller is +500 to stop his unbeaten opponent inside the 12 rounds at the iconic boxing venue that is Madison Square Garden.
WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder has been linked with a fight with Joshua for a number of months now as the American has the only belt the British fighter does not hold. The Bronze Bomber won his world title in January 2015 and since then has retained it on eight occasions. Wilder is a huge hitter as 39 of his 40 wins have come by stoppages. In his recent bout against Tyson Fury, the man from Alabama had to settle for a draw, despite putting his opponent down with a crushing punch in the last round. Wilder is expected to be back in action in either May or June, and after that, he will surely set his sights on Joshua or on a rematch with Fury.
Former world champion Tyson Fury has made a remarkable comeback in the sport as it looked as though his career in boxing was over when he was inactive for close to three years following his victory over Klitschko in Germany. The British boxer proved his class recently to earn a draw against Wilder. Fury will now want to prove he can improve further from that showing by beating Wilder in a rematch. A domestic showdown with Joshua also has a huge appeal in the UK, and if he can offer a belt of his own into the equation for that fight, it could be for the title of undisputed champion. Let’s hope all of the above three men meet over the next two years to prove who is the number one in the heavyweight division.
