There have already been some fantastic boxing matches this year and 2018 is set to go out with one of the biggest heavyweight fights of all-time.

American superstar Deontay Wilder has risen to the top by knocking out all but one person who has been put in front of him, seemingly scaring off a lot of the other top heavyweights around, but not a certain self-proclaimed heavyweight legend.

After taking a lengthy layoff from the boxing scene, Gypsy King Tyson Fury is back and ready to make yet another huge statement in his boxing career. Few ever thought that Tyson would be ready for such a big fight as this, so soon after coming back to boxing, but he is all about proving people wrong and taking that WBC belt from Wilder.

While these two giants are putting their unbeaten records on the line, there is another name who many people still see as being the best heavyweight on the planet, and that is British talent Anthony Joshua, who holds the other three belts in the division.

While AJ is so highly regarded by so many in the boxing business, Deontay thinks that he is all hype, even going as far as to suggest that himself, Tyson Fury and Luis Ortiz are all better than the 2012 Olympic Gold medalist.

Wilder bragged: "Anthony Joshua had his opportunity and his chance to prove and see if he was the goods, or was he spoiled milk," per The Mirror.

"They didn’t want to accept the challenge because they already know what I possess. They know my mindset and what I’m able to do. They know that he’s not on my level.

"I don't think [Joshua] has the heart and the mentality to show that he's the best, and even if he does, then his people don't.

"But that's enough of him. It ain't about him. It's about Tyson Fury. We are the best. And after this fight, you'll see who is the best. One champion, one face, one name.

“Of course, [Joshua] beat the guys that they’ve put in front of him and tried to hype the media up like they were bigger than what they really were.

“So he’s had his opportunities, and as far as I’m concerned, this [fight] right here will tell the world who is the best of the best because I don’t feel that Joshua can beat me, nor can he beat Fury nor the second-best heavyweight in the world, [Luis] Ortiz. I strong personal opinion and strong feeling about that."

It remains to be seen who is actually the best of the best in the heavyweight division but one thing is for certain, we will know who is not at the top of the tree come fight night on December 1 in Los Angeles.

Who do you think is the best heavyweight boxer on the planet? Leave a comment below!