IS THERE HOPE IN THE NEXT HEAVYWEIGHT GENERATION?

The Heavyweight division has produced some of the biggest names in boxing. These fighters have left a lasting impact, from Anthony Joshua to Tyson Fury and even Oleksandr Usyk. They’ve given fans unforgettable fights, fueled endless debates, and brought massive paydays for the sport.

But here’s the question—what happens when they retire? They won’t be around forever. Who will step up as the next big name in Heavyweight boxing?

No matter who you favor, it’s clear these fighters have transformed the boxing world. They brought a fresh energy to the sport. Even Deontay Wilder was a massive draw. But creating superstars takes time. Fury turned pro in 2008 and didn’t blow up until 2015.

Joshua, Fury, and Wilder defined a golden era, with Usyk making his mark toward the end. The future? That’s still up in the air.

From Muhammad Ali’s era to Mike Tyson’s era, the Heavyweight division has had its highs and lows. The lowest point came during the Klitschko era, which many consider the most boring. He lacked high-profile opponents, unlike the Tyson era, which had plenty of exciting fights. Even major TV networks stopped showing his matches for almost 15 years.

The internet was dominated by AJ vs. Wilder predictions, and the Fury vs. Wilder trilogy became legendary. Both Fury and Wilder were great talkers, which made their pre-fight hype huge. AJ had the “look” that drew fans. But now, with these stars aging, the division could see another decline.

To keep the division alive, we need new stars. Let’s look at some promising fighters who could take the spotlight next.

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THE NEW ERA OF HEAVYWEIGHTS

Social media has changed sports forever. It has created new superstars and given athletes more exposure. We’ve seen faster growth and greater inclusion across the board. Jake Paul is a prime example. Social media, especially YouTube, helped him switch careers into boxing. His fight against Mike Tyson brought in a lot of money and created the kind of buzz that keeps fans hooked.

In the Heavyweight division, Ben Whittaker stands out as a “social media champion.” His rise began with a viral Instagram video that earned him a huge following. This kind of popularity would have taken much longer in earlier eras like Mike Tyson’s.

Richard Torrez, from the Light Heavyweight division, also shows potential. He successfully defended his NABF Junior Heavyweight Title against Isaac Munoz in the third round. His fighting style is exciting, though his punch resistance is average.

Fabio Wardley is another name to watch in the Heavyweight division. He has incredible power and sharp instincts, which could make him a major star. Social media could help push his popularity even further.

Moses Itauma, a 20-year-old British boxer born in Slovakia, is one to watch. Despite his young age, he boasts a 12-fight unbeaten streak and holds the WBO Intercontinental Heavyweight title. With fast hands and immense punching power, he’s on track to becoming a heavyweight champion.

Martin Bakole is another name in the division. Originally from Congo, he has made appearances in high-profile events like the Riyadh Season.

Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua’s sparring partner, is also worth noting. At just 27, he already has a record featuring big names like Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgović, Joe Joyce, Oleksandr Usyk, and Anthony Joshua. Holding the remaining heavyweight belt, Dubois has a promising future ahead.

THE HEAVYWEIGHT SAUDI EFFECT

This new era could be the most exciting and competitive in years. With Turki in control, there will be fewer delays and less cherry-picking. Fighters will face each other more often, leading to unexpected results and plenty of drama. It might even outshine the previous era.

From the late 2000s up to the Riyadh Season, the division was full of cherry-picking and “waiting for the right time or money.” Some fighters avoided tough opponents, supported by organizations like the WBC. This gave rise to fighters like Wilder, seen as unbeatable because of handpicked opponents.

The Riyadh Season changes that. Fighters will meet in their prime, creating stronger competition. This is what made the 70s to the 90s so memorable.

Turki isn’t just a billionaire spending his family’s money. He’s essentially a sports minister driving Saudi Arabia’s global sports strategy. The country is using sports like boxing, football, and golf to promote itself and diversify its economy.

Boxing is already seeing long-term benefits. With Saudi involvement, platforms like DAZN are gaining more control, edging out traditional TV networks. They’re also bringing promotional companies under one banner.

For boxing fans, this is great. A single subscription can give access to all fighters, making big fights easier to arrange across the sport. It’s a step forward for everyone who loves boxing.

Conclusion

I don’t think any of the new fighters will match Joshua or Fury in hype or market value. However, the new Heavyweight division might be more exciting. We’re seeing top fighters face each other instead of protecting unbeaten records against weaker opponents.

Sometimes, too much hype hurts boxing. Fighters like Tyson Fury price themselves out of big fights, using fame to demand a bigger share of the purse. Meanwhile, they don’t have the same achievements as fighters like Usyk or Joshua. It’s easy to assume the new generation won’t be as engaging, but they just need time and exposure as the spotlight shifts.

We also need more fights between the old and new generations. AJ vs. Dubois was great—a real “Passing of the Torch” moment. Anderson vs. Wilder could be similar, though unlikely. Bakole vs. Whyte would also be an interesting matchup.