BOXING has a new weight class in between cruiser and heavyweight that will give an exciting list of big men a route to a world title.
Right now, anyone below 14st 4lbs can fight for a cruiserweight crown.
Deontay Wilder could be the biggest star of boxing’s new weight division[/caption]
One ounce over that and you’re in the land of the giants where 6ft 9in Tyson Fury rules at 19st, alongside 6ft 6in Anthony Joshua, who can adapt his size between 17-18st.
So the WBC – sanctioning body for that iconic green and gold belt – has revealed a yet-to-be-named tier between 13st 7lbs and 16st that could offer some heavyweight names a fairer crack at glory.
There are two reasons cruiserweight kings like Carlos De Leon, Evander Holyfield, David Haye and Oleksandr Usyk have moved up and taken on the giant challenge; the big money and the bigger status.
The ‘heavyweight champion of the world’ remains the most iconic individual honour in sport.
And the riches on offer – from every avenue – dwarfs that on offer in all the other ranks combined.
Any prize fighter who can rule a new 16st division with speed and precision and power – will always back themselves to test themselves against the planet.
Big-little men Usyk and Alexander Povetkin already have business to handle in the blue-riband band.
But these five could get the ball rolling with a run at the new division…
DEONTAY WILDER
Wilder could be the biggest star in the world in the new weight class[/caption]
WITH the 6ft 7in Bronze Bomber appearing to lose his trilogy rematch with Tyson Fury, he could relaunch his KO career at the new weight.
The five-year WBC heavyweight king was a career-heaviest 16st 7lbs for the February battering Fury dished out to take his crown but his six defences before that were all sub 224lbs.
Giants like Dominic Breazeale, Luis Ortiz and Bermane Stiverne were all KO’d with Wilder well inside the new weight class.
MICHAEL HUNTER
Michael Hunter has excellent technical skills and could thrive at super-cruiserweight[/caption]
THE former cruiserweight is one of the most avoided heavyweights on the planet.
The Las Vegas ace’s excellent technical skills and respectful manner mean rivals swerve him like a wet cough on the Tube.
And no wonder when he was capable of stopping 18st Martin Bakole on home soil when he was little over 15st.
Last December only a Russian judge’s scorecard stopped him getting a points win over Alexander Povetkin.
A new division might give him his chance to land an overdue world title.
ALEN BABIC
Babic could be a perfect addition to the new weight class[/caption]
EDDIE HEARN’S favourite new novelty act has lit up a couple of his most recent cards with his heavyweight headhunting.
The Croatian and his hilarious alter ego ‘The Savage’ are little over 6ft tall and rarely over 15st.
But he only wants to face the biggest men, like his hero Joe Frazier.
Babic is expected to face Tom Little on November 21 but the roaring, hooking, human bulldozer would make a great addition to the 16st division, if he could be persuaded to drop down.
HUGHIE FURY
Hughie Fury might fancy a crack at super-cruiserweight glory[/caption]
THE Manchester ace has bundles of experience at just 26 but has never looked like having the power to wobble the best men in his division.
Alexander Povetkin, Kubrat Pulev and Joseph Parker have all brushed off the 6ft 6in stylist’s best shots.
Fury was exactly 16st for his August 2019 points loss to Povetkin and under that for his two wins previous so it would be no struggle for him to land a big fight in the new class.
FILIP HRGOVIC
Hrgovic is one of the most exciting prospects in the world and could have a crack at super-cruiserweight[/caption]
THE Croatian banger is one of the most exciting prospects in the world.
At just 9-0 his team is pushing for world title chances after a stellar amateur career.
But the 28-year-old is way off the crowded queue waiting for a shot at AJ and Fury so this route might be the perfect stopgap.
‘The Animal’ boxed at 16st 1lbs in 2019 and 16st a year earlier.
The offer of a first world title crack should be enough to tempt him on to a short-term diet while Joshua, the Gypsy King and mandatory challenger Usyk decide the Big Daddy.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
