Leading boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has recently revealed while talking on the latest True Geordie Pain Game podcast who he rates as the top five heavyweights in the world right now.
Hearn, who manages both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, unsurprisingly had space for both fighters on his list, but you may be surprised by who he ranked as the numero uno in the division.
While most experts and fanatics would regard Tyson Fury as the leading heavyweight after finishing the clear top dog in his epic trilogy with Deontay Wilder, Hearn doesn’t consider it such a clear-cut call.
Hearn said: “I thought Fury’s last fight was brilliant, but if I’m critical, he’s beaten one guy [Deontay Wilder] in the last three years. That’s not his fault, but I don’t see how you can keep moving up the pound for pound lists by just beating the same guy, regardless of how thrilling it was.”
Previously considering AJ as the king of the heavyweights, he was quick to fight the case for Oleksandr Usyk, who clearly out-classed and out-boxed Joshua in the recent bout.
“For me, I believed that AJ was the best heavyweight in the world. Now, is he still the best heavyweight in the world? He’s got a point to prove. But if Usyk’s beaten him and Usyk’s pound-for-pound number two in the sport, how is he not number one heavyweight in the world? See what I mean? I don’t know. It’s hard to split those guys right now.”
Hearn named his top 5 as follows.
5. Deontay Wilder
4. Dillian Whyte
3. Anthony Joshua
Joint 1. Oleksandr Usyk / Tyson Fury
Unsurprisingly, fans have been quick to react to Hearn's top five, and it's safe to say they aren't in total agreement.
Below are just a handful of fan responses...
No matter what Hearn said, he was always going to ruffle feathers, that's what happens when anyone names their top five in anything.
While giving Usyk and Fury a split decision as the leading heavyweights is a decent call, it could be argued that he’s playing favouritism by ranking his own fighters at three and four. Many feel that neither Joshua nor Whyte would be able to hold their own against heavy-hitting Wilder.
There are definitely some exciting fights to be had if Wilder gets to face off against either Whyte or Joshua, and a top-of-the-division showdown between Usyk and Fury would be mouthwatering!