5. Heavyweight
TYSON FURY blew the division wide open last year when he dethroned Wladimir Klitschko to becoming the world’s best big man. His victory meant the heavyweight crown became more splintered as the IBF stripped him of their title, which was subsequently picked up by the underserving Charles Martin.
Then, Anthony Joshua vaulted into superstardom by wrenching that title from Martin and giving the weight class yet another injection of intrigue.
Then, of course, there is WBC champion Deontay Wilder, one of the most engaging personalities in the sport and a ferocious puncher to boot.
At this stage though, the division’s in a bit of a lull. Fury’s long-awaited rematch with Klitschko still doesn’t have a date while Wilder is out until 2017 due to injury. Joshua is still plugging away, though the fights people really want to see include the champions facing each other.
Former champion David Haye made his return in January, and while his opponents have been dire, his reintroduction to the division generates huge attention and domestic fights with either Fury or Joshua would be massive.
Legitimate contenders Joseph Parker, Kubrat Pulev and Luis Ortiz are hot on the heels of the champions.
Division leader: Tyson Fury
4. Light-heavyweight
Could certainly go higher, given that the best fight of 2016 – Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward – will be fought at this weight. Those two pound-for-pound stars will meet in November.
Then there’s the third wheel of the division, WBC champion Adonis Stevenson. There was a time when Kovalev-Stevenson was one of the most desired fights in the world, though Adonis’ unwillingness to pursue the fight, or take on top challengers, has dampened that clamour. Having said that, a fight between Stevenson and the Kovalev-Ward winner is a tantalising prospect.
Juergen Braehmer is still huge in Germany and faces former champion Nathan Cleverly in an intriguing clash in October. Artur Beterbiev, the unbeaten Russian wrecking ball, looks on the verge of being let loose on the division’s big guns, as does talented Colombian Eleider Alvarez.
Joe Smith’s emphatic win over Andrzej Fonfara proved upsets are still rife in the division while Vyacheslav Shabranskyy continues his impressive rise.
Division leader: Sergey Kovalev
3. Cruiserweight
Easily one of the deepest divisions in terms of talent. Krzysztof Glowacki stunned Marco Huck last year to shake things up and Denis Lebedev recently unified two of the world titles in destructive fashion.
Glowacki will make the next defence of his title against Oleksandr Usyk, the bombastic Ukrainian who some feel is the uncrowned king of the division.
Tony Bellew’s dramatic win over Ilunga Makabu to lift the WBC title is one of the feel-good stories of the year and the outspoken Liverpudlian is hellbent on toppling those ranked above him.
Mairis Briedis, Bellew’s mandatory challenger, is an exciting contender who has cut a swathe through other prospects and challengers.
However, a lack of star names means this weight class doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
Division leader: Krzysztof Glowacki
2. Welterweight
The welters have had a place in fans’ hearts for years – most recently thanks to the exploits of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who eventually fought last year. They’ve both retired since then, but Manny has made the inevitable announcement that he’ll be back – on November 5 against WBO champion Jessie Vargas.
It’s by no means a standout fight, but it’s an interesting scrap and to have the Filipino icon back in the mix is hugely exciting.
His old nemesis, Timothy Bradley, has made no announcement about his next steps but remains one of the best in the division. IBF champion Kell Brook has left 147lbs for now, as he’ll take on middleweight supremo Gennady Golovkin in September. It’s unclear whether he’ll return to welterweight or not, but it could be a struggle for the thick-set Sheffield man.
Keith Thurman and Shawn Porter put on a thriller earlier in the year, and Thurman’s win has put him in the upper echelons of the division. WBC champion Danny Garcia is a real talent though has a tendency to tread water.
Errol Spence boxes this weekend (August 21) in a final eliminator for the IBF title. The uber-talented southpaw is tipped for stardom.
Division leader: Timothy Bradley
1. Featherweight
Not only is this division stacked with great fighters, it also produces great fights. Case in point: Carl Frampton’s phenomenal win over Leo Santa Cruz a few weeks ago. Both men displayed ultimate respect for the other, but they also put everything on the line in the ring and created one of the best fights of the year.
A rematch looks likely, though the other world champions in the division are also keen to get in on the action. Lee Selby, Gary Russell Jnr and Jesus Cuellar are all top-level operators and eager for big fights. The brilliant Abner Mares, provided his eye injury is not too severe, is also always good value for money.
Oscar Valdez, who recently claimed the WBO title, is another terrific fighter who is generating buzz. Most importantly, the best fights don’t seem to have too many hurdles in the way – any of the leading fighters could conceivably face the others without too much promotional fuss.
Division leader: Gary Russell Jnr
