After watching Arslanbek Makhmudov take out Mariusz Wach yesterday it got me thinking about which of the up and coming, untested young guns was going to be the next dominant heavyweight. Then I realized that the guys I was thinking about; Frank Sanchez, Filip Hrgovic, Tony Yoka, Zhan Kossobutskiy, Victor Vykhryst and the aforementioned Makhmudov aren't actually young. The youngest is 29 years old. Personally, I don't think any of those guys are that great. In a couple of years when the current top dogs will start to age out and the current next level prospects have proven to be nothing too special, the circumstances will be ripe for a great young fighter to come in and dominate the division. Louis, Ali, and Tyson all cleaned up a heavyweight division full of too old or not good enough older guys. Do you see anyone on the horizon, under 25 years old, who may be the next great heavyweight.?
One is Mike Tyson, who won the HW belt at the age of 20, without even coming of age by USA standards. I saw Daniel Dubois, but I don't see him anymore.
Dubois' only loss came against Joe Joyce, a very good fighter. Dubois was actually winning the fight when he fractured his eye socket. He isn't a bad choice but you are right, I don't think he has what it takes to be "the man". I can see him winning an alphabet version of a belt at some point, however.
Honestly, im not impressed by any of these HWs. I know nostalgia is a thing, but i don't see anything special in any of these HWs but lets wait.
What you said is literally why I posted the thread. I just don't really see anyone either and I was hoping I would hear about someone to root for. There is a 22 year old from Australia, Justis Huni. He won the super heavyweight bronze medal at the amateur world championships at the age of 20 and has looked pretty good as a pro. Maybe he'll turn out to be something.
Jared Anderson if he can keep developing and not stall out Think he needs to move a little quicker not try to peak in his 30's like many. Workrate is something he needs to utilize which youth benefits.
I forgot all about Anderson. Very solid choice. 22 years old and his power was still there when he moved up in class last year. As you said, let's hope he fights often.
Occasionally someone appears in boxing, such as Michael Jordan in basketball, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in music, Nikola Tesla in science, ... That was Mike Tyson, when he won the belt at the age of 20. Do you see anyone who can do that at 19?
Heavyweights tend to peak later and fade less quickly than they used to for a variety of reasons. Apples and oranges.
Problem is, Heavyweights at a serious level rarely fight each other. These lads and their staff get great money fighting doormen. Michael Hunter and Joe Joyce will fight anyone but nobody wants to know.
I've done a little research for this thread, after a solid 2.5 minute of googling the heavyweight roster, and hard dedication to finding young contenders, my final result is: This era of heavyweights is dog****
