What might a WBSS Heavyweight tournament look like?

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By Gav Duthie: The World boxing super series has been a great success far. Oleksandr Usyk landed on top in the first battle at cruiserweight, George Groves and Callum Smith will contest 168lb final and another two divisions, lightweight and bantamweight have been confirmed with a host of stars in each to commence later in the year. What would a heavyweight tournament look like though. Boxing’s flagship division is having a bit of trouble getting the stars together namely Joshua and Wilder and the idea of the WBSS is that it brings the best together with one ultimate goal to find the best fighter in the division. In reality I think there is to much conflict and money at heavyweight for the best to agree but lets live in a fantasy world and see how this might turn out if it ever happened.

WBSS Format

The first 4 are seeded and are allowed the luxury of choosing their opponents from the other side of the list. In this case Anthony Joshua would choose first. Its hard to predict which way he would go. Previously Groves picked Jamie Cox and was quite happy to admit that this was because he felt he was the easiest choice. Usyk picked Marco Huck because he was the biggest name but lets be honest he was also a softer touch at this stage of his career. Joshua could go with the easiest but I am not sure he would.

Seedings and Choices

1. Anthony Joshua
2. Deontay Wilder
3. Tyson Fury
4. Luis Ortiz

Second four are unseeded

5. Dillian Whyte
6. Alexander Povetkin
7. Jarrell Miller
8. Kubrat Pulev

I think Joshua would pick Jarrell Miller. Forgetting the fact that he is fighting Povetkin in reality I think he would have chose the trash talking American as he has had a bit of beef with him in the past. Pulev would probably be the most comfortable given he lacks power but Joshua v Miller would be a great fight. Given this circumstance Wilder would likely pick Pulev with Tyson Fury choosing the older Povetkin to avoid the awkward Whyte. This would leave us with Ortiz v Whyte.

Anthony Joshua (WTKO 8)
V
Jarrell Miller

Luis Ortiz (WKO 7)
V
Dillian Whyte

Deontay Wilder (WKO 4)
V
Kubrat Pulev

Tyson Fury (WUD 12)
V
Alexander Povetkin

It’s very hard to predict these things. I don’t feel that Miller can beat Joshua with his height, body shape and not being difficult to hit. Whyte could beat Ortiz if he can slug it out until the later rounds but King Kong wouldn’t let Whyte bully him like Parker did. Pulev has a good jab but keeps his hands low so Wilder will catch him like Klitschko did where as I don’t think Povetkin has the energy to keep at Fury at a high tempo to win.

Semi Final

Anthony Joshua (WUD 12)
V
Luis Ortiz

Deontay Wilder (WTKO 11)
V
Tyson Fury

I could make a case for any fighter to go through in this scenario. Ortiz has the power to knock anyone out as he almost did against Wilder. I think the game plan for this given Ortiz age would be similar to Lennox Lewis versus the dangerous David Tua. Joshua would use his jab and stay long keeping away from the southpaw left. For the fans who feel Fury could box Joshua or Wilder the way he did Klitschko I think are mistaken. These guys are younger and fresher and will not let the bout be fought at such a slow pace. Wilder will catch up to him eventually and Fury has been down a few times before.

Final

Anthony Joshua (WTKO 10)
V
Deontay Wilder

I actually have no idea how this could go. Klitschko landed so many right hands on Joshua that its hard to see Wilder not achieving the same. Joshua has a much better jab though and could frustrate Wilder with it. If Wilder is open I feel Joshua will break him down but it would be no surprise to me to see Wilder knock him out with one punch.

Conclusion

Lets be honest this was a bit of fun for me. I don’t think it will happen but even to see so,e of these fights over the next couple of years would be great.