DEONTAY WILDER successfully defended his WBC world heavyweight title against Chris Arreola at the weekend, overcoming a broken hand and a torn bicep to force the challenger to retire after eight rounds.
Though always game, Arreola wasn’t viewed as a credible threat to Wilder’s reign and now attention turns to where the unbeaten American will go next.
First, he needs his injuries to fully heal, which could sideline him for a while. There are some exciting options for hime once he’s back to full fitness though.
According to the WBC rules, that can come against anyone in their top 10, and anyone ranked 11-15 as long as Wilder is given special permission. As such, all fighters we’ve listed are included in the WBC top 15, as of their July ratings.
Tyson Fury is not listed as he is scheduled to be fighting Wladimir Klitschko some time towards the end of the year.
5. Bermane Stiverne
Wilder outpointed Stiverne in January 2015 – the only time he has ever gone the distance – to win the WBC title, and a rematch could be fairly well received. Stiverne, for some reason, was dehydrated on the night and looked poor, though on his day is a handful.
Currently ranked No 2 by the WBC, Bermane has only fought once since losing to Wilder – a drab 10 round decision over Derick Rossy.
4. Kubrat Pulev
Currently ranked third, the Bulgarian just took part in an IBF eliminator in which he outpointed Dereck Chisora in Germany to maintain his relevance in the banner division and pick up his third win since being bludgeoned by Wladimir Klitschko in 2014.
The 35-year-old has a solid CV and would easily be the best opponent Wilder will have faced – though he is not massively well known in the States, having never fought outside of Europe.
3. Joseph Parker
The promising New Zealander went one further than Pulev in betraying the WBC by fighting in an IBF FINAL eliminator, in which he outpointed a dangerous Carlos Takam. The win proved the 24-year-old can mix at the top level, and a fight with work-in-progress Wilder would be fascinating.
He looks as though he is going to stick on his route to Joshua, though seems dead-set on becoming a world champion, so wouldn’t sniff at a chance at Wilder’s belt.
2. David Haye
He’s ranked in the WBC top 10 and is by far the most experienced contender available for Wilder. The former unified Cruiser king and WBA heavyweight titlist has knocked over a pair of no-hopers so far in his comeback, so his lofty ranking should be questioned, but his explosive power and killer instinct make him a real threat.
The fight would do big business in the UK, and most likely in America. The pair are great self-promoters and former sparring partners. Both have heavy hands and are full of confidence, which should equate to a great fight. Haye, however, is unsbutly gunning for Joshua – though is unlikely to turn down a shot at Wilder if it presented itself.
1. Anthony Joshua
IBF champion Joshua is the money man of the division and recently bludgeoned Dominic Breazeale into defeat. He is mooted to be returning in November, which could work well with Wilder’s timeline – though that of course depends on his recovery.
Both men could fell small buildings with their punching power and have plenty of character to make the promotion lively. It would sell tremendously well in both the UK and America and is easily one of the best fights that can be made at heavyweight.
