The last time all of the Heavyweight belts were in America was in 1993, just a short time following former 2-time Heavyweight Champion of the World, Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe’s (43-1, 33 KOs) amazing win over former 4-time Heavyweight Champion of the World, Evander “Real Deal” Holyfield (44-10-2, 29 KOs). It would be the first fight of three between the two warriors, but it would be the last time all of the Heavyweight belts would be in the U.S….. until now! Andy “Destroyer” Ruiz’s (33-1, 22 KOs) enormous upset over previously unbeaten Anthony Joshua is an instant classic. Ruiz joins Deontay “The Bronze Bomber” Wilder (41-0-1, 40 KOs) as the “other” American Heavyweight Champion, and the two men now hold all of the belts here in America.
What’s more important to understand is that this is the first time ever in boxing history that all four major sanctioning body belts have been in the states. Back when Bowe held the undisputed championship, the WBO was not recognized as a major body. It is important to note, however, that Bowe did eventually earn that WBO belt years later to become – and still to this day – the only man to ever win all four major sanctioning body belts.
So, what’s in store for the Heavyweight Division? Well, this reporter has a list of at least nine fighters who should be included in the mix of the best current heavyweights. What needs to happen – should they all keep winning – is that someone (ahem, Wilder) needs to step up and fight them all, one by one. Yes, there are so many that they’ll all probably fight each other and the cream will rise to the top. However, to prove worthiness, one should be willing to fight them all, starting at the top (not the other way around). So, I suppose we will all see what happens.
In the interim, word on the street has it that Wilder will be giving Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (31-1, 26 KOs) a rematch within the next few months and then Tyson Fury (27-0-1, 19 KOs) a rematch in early 2020. Chances are that Wilder-Fury may only happen should each of the fighters get past their next opponents, respectively. So, ok. Say that Wilder does get past both Ortiz and Fury within the next seven or eight months. Will he continue to fight the best from that “list”? Will the WBC allow him to peel off these opponents one by one or will it toss in an undeserving mandatory challenger or two? And, what if he – or anyone else for that matter – is successful at unifying all of the belts? Will all four major sanctioning bodies be in agreement with who’s up next? Doubtful. And, that’s just unfortunate.
Meanwhile, let all American boxing fans rejoice, as the Heavyweight Division finally comes full circle, and all of the cards now come through the red, white, and blue! American Boxing has come out of the shadows and become great once again! And, contrary to what he may say, Trump had absolutely nothing to do with it… (smile). Congrats to our newest champion, Andy Ruiz, Jr. Now, go ahead and enjoy your victory with an All-American king-sized Snickers bar, my friend. You’ve earned it!
-Mike Feinberg
The Fighting News Reporter
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