In the latest twist of heavyweight boxing, promoter Eddie Hearn has devised a bold and ambitious plan that could reshape the landscape of the division. Hearn is pushing for undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to acknowledge that he will not be fighting interim IBF champion Daniel Dubois. This move would lead to the IBF title being stripped from Usyk, thereby freeing it up for a new contender.
Hearn’s fighter, Anthony Joshua, is poised to step into the spotlight. Under Hearn’s plan, Joshua will face interim champion Dubois for the vacant IBF title on September 21st at Wembley Stadium. This match-up is set to be a massive event, drawing attention from boxing fans around the world.
While Joshua and Dubois prepare for their showdown, Usyk will focus on his own path. Retaining his three other titles – WBA, WBC, and WBO – Usyk will gear up for a highly anticipated rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21st. The first bout between Usyk and Fury was a thrilling encounter, and fans are eager to see them clash again.
The stakes are incredibly high in Hearn’s proposed schedule. The winners of the Joshua-Dubois and Fury-Usyk 2 fights will then meet in April or May to determine the undisputed heavyweight champion. Hearn is particularly hopeful that this final bout will feature an all-British showdown between Joshua and Fury, which would be a monumental event in the world of boxing.
However, the plan is not without its risks and potential pitfalls. The “nightmare scenario” for Hearn would see Dubois defeating Joshua on September 21st, followed by Usyk knocking out Fury on December 21st. Such outcomes would disrupt Hearn’s vision of a Joshua vs. Fury mega-fight and force him to once again rebuild Joshua’s career, a task he has recently completed.
Even if Fury does not retire after a potential second loss to Usyk, a fight between him and Joshua could still take place. Although both fighters would be coming off defeats, Hearn could market the match as a “losers consolation bracket” bout, which might still draw significant interest from fans.
Adding further intrigue to the mix is the potential involvement of Deontay Wilder. If Wilder chooses not to retire, Hearn could include him in the heavyweight championship picture, creating even more excitement and possibilities for future match-ups.
Hearn’s plan, while ambitious, reflects his knack for orchestrating high-stakes and high-drama scenarios in boxing. His vision for the heavyweight division, featuring multiple top-tier fighters vying for supremacy, ensures that fans will be treated to a series of thrilling and unpredictable bouts in the coming months.
As the boxing world waits to see how these events unfold, one thing is certain: Eddie Hearn’s strategy, if successful, will leave an indelible mark on the history of the heavyweight division. Whether it leads to a grand showdown between Joshua and Fury or a series of unexpected twists and turns, fans can look forward to an exciting and action-packed period in heavyweight boxing.
