Sadly we are still waiting for Tyson Fury vs Anthony and there is a chance it never happens, but there is still plenty to look forward to when it comes to boxing’s marquee heavyweight division.
The British world champions had been due to meet in Saudi Arabia in August 2021, with potentially an immediate rematch in November or December. But then Deontay Wilder won an arbitration ruling to force Fury to accept their trilogy match after all.
The dream then was that Fury instead would fight Oleksandr Usyk for all the marbles either in February or March 2023. That of course never happened either.
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There are plenty of other great upcoming fights to look forward on a Friday or Saturday night – but here is the heavyweight schedule as it stands.
Upcoming boxing fights: Heavyweights
Here is how the heavyweight division currently looks from a scheduling perspective – including every major heavyweight fight. As you can see none of the top names have bouts scheduled now – we’ll update this page as soon as they do:
Anthony Joshua (25-3) vs Robert Helenius (32-4)
Date: Saturday August 12, 2023
Venue: O2 Arena, London, England
TV: DAZN (UK and US)
Odds: 1/14 Joshua, 11/1 Helenius, 33/1 Draw
Result: –
AJ had been set to face Dillian Whyte in a blockbusting rematch, eight years on from their fabulous first scrap. But after Dillian failed a drugs test it is the ‘Nordic Nightmare’ Robert Helenius who steps in at short notice for the big gig under the bright lights at the O2. AJ will need to be impressive with a potential superfight vs Deontay Wilder looming in early 2024.
Filip Hrgovic (15-0) vs Demsey McKean (22-0)
Date: Saturday August 12, 2023
Venue: O2 Arena, London, England
TV: DAZN (UK and US)
Odds: 1/7 Hrgovic, 13/2 McKean, 25/1 Draw
Result: –
The AJ/Helenius undercard is pretty sweet from a heavyweight perspective, and it’s topped by IBF mandatory challenger Hrgovic facing off against another unbeaten prospect in Aussie star McKean. Filip was considered fortunate by many last time out when he outpointed the massive Chinese star Zhilei Zhang, so he will need to be impressive here as he continues to mark time ahead of a possible title shot.
Dereck Chisora (33-13) vs Gerald Washington (20-5-1)
Date: Saturday August 12, 2023
Venue: O2 Arena, London, England
TV: DAZN (UK and US)
Odds: 1/5 Chisora, 5/1 Washington, 25/1 Draw
Result: –
The ageing Chisora is out yet again as he faces off against American Washington, and the fear is that Old Father Time is really starting to catch up with Dereck now. ‘Del Boy’ was utterly outclassed when stepped up to face Tyson Fury in that trilogy match in late 2022. After that many of us had little appetite to see him in action again. Great warrior he is, the end appears to be in sight for one of the most entertaining heavies around. In and out of the ring.
Oleksandr Usyk (20-0) vs Daniel Dubois (19-1)
Date: Saturday August 26, 2023
Venue: Stadion Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland
TV: TNT Sports (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Odds: 1/9 Usyk, 8/1 Dubois, 25/1 Draw
Result: –
With no chance of that eagerly-awaited unification vs Fury happening, Usyk moves on to defend his IBF, WBA and WBO baubles (plus that hallowed Ring magazine strap) against the dangerous British banger Daniel Dubois in Poland. Usyk will start a hot favourite against a young man who has unquestioned power and finishing ability, but who is still untested at the very highest level.
Jared Anderson (15-0) vs Andriy Rudenko (35-6)
Date: Saturday August 26, 2023
Venue: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa, Oklahoma
TV: Sky Sports (UK), ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes (US)
Odds: 1/33 Anderson, 12/1 Rudenko, 33/1 Draw
Result: –
The talented Anderson might be the most exciting thing in the heavyweight division right now, and the American youngster gets another chance to impress against Rudenko in Tulsa. ‘Big Baby’ has great athletic ability and raw power, and he’s being moved at relative pace by Top Rank as they look to keep their hot prospect busy. We cannot wait to see him in against somebody from a higher level.
Zhilei Zhang (25-1-1) vs Joe Joyce (15-1) 2
Date: Saturday September 23, 2023
Venue: OVO Arena, London, England
TV: TNT Sports (UK), ESPN+ (US)
Odds: 11/13 Zhang, 6/5 Joyce, 25/1 Draw
Result: –
Joyce suffered his first defeat last time out in a shock loss to the huge Zhang, and here he gets a swift chance to get his career back on track. Prior to that Joe had been lined up for a shot at Usyk for the world titles, but now he faces a long road back. Not easy when you are in your late 30s. Zhang of course is in a similar boat – talented but with the passage of time against him. It should be a(nother) cracking scrap.
NB: You can get the latest boxing TV schedules for the major broadcasters by checking out our guides for:
Boxing Schedule: Heavyweight fighters without a confirmed next fight date
Deontay Wilder (43-2-1): ‘Bronze Bomber’ is back after that first-round KO win over Robert Helenius in Brooklyn. Coming in 24lbs lighter than for the Fury trilogy match, Wilder showcased the power that he has always possessed and will be a massive attraction whoever he fights next. Usyk, Joshua or Ruiz are all fights we would love to see.
Andy Ruiz Jr (35-2): Outpointed Luis Ortiz in Los Angeles in their big WBC eliminator in September, and in theory will now face Wilder in a final eliminator. Despite the result, wasn’t overly impressive vs Ortiz and allowed the veteran Cuban to dictate the pace for much of the way.
Joseph Parker (30-3): Lost little in defeat by Joyce after a cracking scrap with the Londoner in September. Hit Joyce with everything he could throw at ‘The Juggernaut’ and also displayed a pretty good chin himself, but in the end could not live with his unbeaten opponent.
Frank Sanchez (21-0): ‘The Cuban Flash’ maintained his unbeaten record with a ninth-round stoppage of Carlos Negron on the Wilder vs Helenius undercard in Brooklyn. He continues his march to bigger and better things.
Michael Hunter (20-1-2): ‘The Bounty’ is still waiting for that WBA eliminator vs Hughie Fury, but it is off again with Fury suffering from long COVID symptoms. The bout is now likely to take place in early 2023.
Otto Wallin (22-1): The Swede is now waiting to find out what comes next after his showdown with Whyte was cancelled at the 11th hour. He’s a dangerous man just outside the very top level of the division – having given Fury all he could handle in their Vegas showdown in 2019.
Agit Kabayel (21-0): The unbeaten German stayed perfect with a comfortable unanimous decision against the tough Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson in Magdeburg in June. He was always on top and showed a good engine and lovely combinations, but didn’t have the artillery to really test the granite chin of Johnson.
