Where does Tyson Fury’s win leave the world heavyweight scene?
The WBC have now officially ordered Tyson Fury to defend his green strap against mandatory challenger and British rival Dillian Whyte in light of the news that the Gypsy King’s camp had begun step-aside talks with Anthony Joshua, ahead of a potential undisputed clash with Oleksandr Usyk. Now the heavyweight landscape has just become a lot clearer and Express Sport assesses five bouts that could materialise in the new year…
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte
The two camps now have 30 days to negotiate a deal or the fight will go to purse bids.
Fury has already made it clear that despite Whyte’s gruelling wait for a world title shot, he will take no prisoners when they trade leather in a long-awaited grudge match.
The all-British dust-up may not be the sexiest fight in the division but the build up promises to be spectacular following several foul-mouthed online spats between the pair.
Whyte was forced to withdraw from his fight with Otto Wallin on Halloween at the O2 Arena while Fury will come into the bout after one of the best wins of his career against Deontay Wilder in the final chapter of their historic trilogy.
Ring rust could play a part in this fight and with Fury on the greatest run of his career, there is no denying Whyte is a massive underdog. But that won’t phase him.
Cardiff and Manchester are two possible destinations for this fight on the basis of reports, while London cannot be ruled out.
Tyson Fury and Dillian Whyte are set to get in on in 2022 (Image: Manchester Evening News)
Oleksandr Usyk vs Anthony Joshua 2
If Fury and Whyte’s teams are able to negotiate a deal, we are now all set to see the rematch between Usyk and Joshua take place in early 2022.
AJ did admit that he’d be willing to consider stepping aside if the offer from Fury’s team made financial sense but redemption for his defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is what matters most.
Joshua may need to shake up his corner if he is to maximise his chances of becoming a three-weight world champion after being totally outclassed by the slick southpaw in late September.
In the other corner, Usyk isn’t fussed who he fights next as he looks to make his first successful defence of his belts.
The rematch could land in London again, while there is also talk of Saudi Arabia, where Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch in December 2019.
Anthony Joshua will rematch Oleksandr Usyk in 2022, barring any late changes (Image: GETTY)
Undisputed
It’s the fight everyone wants to see and there is now a very strong chance it happens in late 2022.
The winner of Fury vs Whyte and the victor from Usyk vs Joshua are on course to meet later in the year, providing there are no complications with each fight.
In an ideal world, British fans will get to see the fight that was taken away from them in August – Fury vs Joshua, for all the marbles.
The saga rumbled on for over six months before Fury’s arbitration with Wilder threw a major spanner in the works, as he was ordered to rematch the Alabaman.
Fury vs Joshua remains the biggest fight in boxing history but there now seems to be a reasonable chance we never get to see it.
Joshua claims he would still be down to fight Fury even without any belts but the Gypsy King is unlikely to hand him the opportunity as champion, if he is not bringing anything to the table in terms of belts.
Both Whyte and Usyk will be keen to point out they are no stepping stone and if the history of this division is anything to go by, expect the unexpected.
Express Sport assesses what heavyweight fights could take place in 2022 (Image: GETTY/PA)
Deontay Wilder vs Andy Ruiz Jr
This is an easy matchup to make given the duo both fight on PBC in the United States.
Ruiz Jr has already laid it on record that he would be keen to face Wilder next – meaning any final decision on a fight could simply rest with the Bronze Bomber.
That’s because Wilder is yet to fully commit to fighting on after his 11-round war with Fury in Las Vegas in October, a fight that is likely to take its toll on his body.
Should Wilder decide to continue, a competitive fight against Ruiz could be the perfect way to ease his way back in.
It’s still a dangerous fight but ultimately, it’s one he should win if he has aspirations of facing Joshua and Usyk further down the line.
Deontay Wilder and Andy Ruiz Jr would be an easy fight to make (Image: PBC Fox)
Joe Joyce vs Luis Ortiz
2021 was looking so positive for Joe Joyce after his impressive stoppage of Daniel Dubois in November 2020 but for one reason or another, things have not worked out for The Juggernaut.
He did successfully stop another top 15 contender in Carlos Takam earlier in the year but Joyce was on course to face Usyk in a final eliminator before the WBO ordered Joshua to defend his belts against the Ukrainian in the summer.
With Fury now set to face Whyte and Usyk rematching Joshua, Joyce’s world title aspirations have hit another snag.
In the meantime, he needs to stay busy and what better way to do so than stepping inside the ropes with Luis Ortiz.
The Cuban has shared the ring with the likes of Wilder (twice) and Whyte in his time but this is still a winnable fight for Joyce.
His co-promoter Sam Jones has already pul the feelers out but Ortiz has a New Years Day showdown with Charles Martin to get out the way first.
Should he fail to beat the former IBF world champion, Martin could also be a suitable opponent for Joyce.