The heavyweight division can be the toughest, especially with the added pressure of being labeled a ‘future world champion’ at the weight.
However, five fighters got such a tag heading into late 2023. They found out the hard way that those kinds of predictions from promoters and fans can be as cruel as they come. In the last nine months, a quintet of talented 200-pound-plus punchers hit the canvas with a bump rather than lifting a version of the world title above their heads.
For all five, the rebuilding process is ongoing; for some, it hasn’t even begun.
World Boxing News looks at five heavyweights who were branded as world champions only to be flattened when heading into fights as the favorite on the brink of a title shot.
Joe Joyce
British slugger and Olympic silver medalist Joyce had been treading water for eighteen months waiting for his WBO title shot when Chinese juggernaut Zhilei Zhang blew the Londoner away in three painful rounds. Joyce looked a shadow of the contender who had positioned himself as the number one ranked challenge before Zhang ended that dream in style a year ago.
Joyce managed to get back to winning ways in March 2024 but was then defeated by wily dog Derek Chisora over the summer. At this point, Joyce may never get his shot at 38 as a fight with Olympic rival Tony Yoka looms on the horizon.
A win against Yoka, who himself was blasted out of world title contention, won’t be enough to push Joyce back into the fold.
Filip Hrgovic
The Croatian was interim champion and being guided to a certain title shot in 2024 until running into Daniel Dubois. Dubois took Hrgovic out in eight rounds, crushing the chances of Hrgovic facing Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium this weekend.
Hrgovic is yet to announce his return.
Frank Sanchez
The Cuban bulldozed his way through the competition and seemed to be the next big thing in his native country. Sadly for Sanchez and his boxing followers, Agit Kabayel had other ideas.
Kabayel took it to Sanchez from the off in Saudi Arabia on the Usyk vs Fury undercard and wouldn’t relent until the fight ended in the seventh following two knockdowns.
At 32, Sanchez has the opportunity to rebuild and come again. Premier Boxing Champions will work on a plan to push Sanchez back into contention, including a future rematch with Kabayel.
Arslanbek Makhmudov
Holding all the stature to be a force in the heavyweight division, the Russian giant was on the warpath, having knocked out every one of his opponents, barring the stubborn Carlos Takam.
Pitted against Kabayel in Saudi Arabia on the ‘Day of Reckoning’ bill, Makhmudov came up against, you’ve guessed it, Agit Kabayel. Makhmudov lasted only four rounds, blaming a broken hand for the defeat.
After returning to winning ways in May when blasting Miljan Rovcanin through the ropes in his native Canada, it seemed ‘The Lion’ had returned to the mix. It wasn’t to be as Italian stallion Guido Vianello took him out in eight rounds, all but closing out any world championship hopes.
Jared Anderson
The most stunning upset came in August on the Riyadh Season debut card in the United States. After going through a turbulent year, Anderson got hammered by Martin Bakole in five rounds.
Anderson was out of sorts, to say the least, as he dropped a first defeat in 18 bouts. Bob Arum and Tyson Fury had labeled Anderson the heavyweight division’s future, only to watch ‘The Real Big Baby’ crumble at the first sign of a fringe world-class opponent.
At 24, Anderson can undoubtedly re-fire and go again, but he needs to sort out his personal life to focus on his ultimate goal.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
