Bryan, Hunter Jr., and Franklin are what I would call "late-stage prospects". I was more focused on fighters who are just starting their careers. I'm a Hunter Jr. fan, but I don't think he makes is to the top. He fights a high-energy/high-risk style (he's kind of a HW Keith Thurman) and I think he's getting caught/stopped sooner or later. Bryan is an unknown. Outside of that Derric Rossy fight in 2015 (in which he did impress) - he really hasn't fought a significant opponent. Jermaine Franklin looked better against Craig Lewis than Fa did and Lewis was better prepared for Franklin than he was for Fa. But while Lewis is a reasonably-skilled fighter who has some size - he's not truly dangerous. Franklin has yet to face anybody truly dangerous.
Looks like Kevin Johnson will be back in action in mid-March in Germany. Both the opponent and the # of rounds for his fight are TBD.
We are less than 3 weeks away from what should be the most significant HW fight night in Boston, USA in several years. But Erkan Teper, Malik Scott, and Alexsis Santos still do not have opponents. Sadly, this means that Byron Polley, Galen Brown, and Michael Marrone will want to start checking their voice mail. :-(
From what I've read on the web... a) Apparently, Oquendo has decided he doesn't want the fight, after all b) Speculation is that the WBA will try to make a Charr-Bryan fight next
With Tyson fury on a 5 fight deal and Wilder perhaps not being immediately pending, getting in on this seems to make sense, or is there something I'm missing?
Jermaine Franklin will fight Rysell Booker(25/1 and have lost to James Toney) on April 13th and Otto Wallin will face Nick Kisner(21/4) on the same card.
Bronze Medalist of World Championship in Hamburg Arsene Fokou will face James Sing(3/1) in his debut.
Meh... I guess they can find a truck driver, but I doubt it. Probably moving him on a different undercard and delay his debut on the American scene is my guess.
- Fake news, said Robert Helenius´ manager Markus Sundman of reports on various sites that the Nordic Nightmare would be the opponent for Oleksandr Usyk´s heavyweight debut May 18 in Chicago. Sundman also stated there would be something real to write about very soon.
Heavyweights Petar Milas, 13-0, from Croatia and Frenchman Cyril Leonet, 15-10-3, clash for the vacant EU title April 6 in Munich, Germany. The fight is promoted by Petko´s Boxing Promotions, who won purse bids.