Who will rule the heavyweight division?

[jezzamundo]

Wlad is likely to retire if he beats Fury.

Fury is the man for now and cements this further if he beats Wlad again.

Povetkin isn't young but could pick up a slice of the title against Wilder.

Wilder has great potential but is still a raw, flawed fighter at age 30.

Ortiz is 36, but he's a young 36. Great amateur background and potential, but PED issues and age are against him.

Martin will make a big statement if he beats Joshua.

Joshua is seen by many as the heir apparent, but looked in trouble against Whyte and if he keeps adding muscle to his body, stamina could become a problem. He has also been blowing guys out quickly and arguably needs to go some rounds before stepping up to the Fury/Povetkin/Wlad/Wilder level.

Parker has great handspeed, good power and is a good size for a heavyweight, but his defense is largely untested and he may well come unstuck against Takam, who is levels better than anyone he has faced to date. I also have doubts about his ability to throw a short, straight right hand.

Browne is undefeated and big and strong enough, but for me, too slow and not skilled enough. He's got a good chance against Chagaev though and a fight between him and Martin could be good.

[fightfan95]

It's all going to be about Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker 2018+ I think, I don't think they will fight till both of them have a world title to their name. I think Tyson will still be up there as well (possibly still with the titles) as he is still got plenty years left in the tank. By 2018/2019 I don't think we will still have Wlad, Povetkin or Ortiz in the top 5 - if Ortiz was around 30 he would be my number 1 pick but age is very much against him.

An interesting one for me is Hughie Fury, he has a decent record, needs to start getting in there with bigger names now though. I doubt he will do what Tyson has done, but a very interesting prospect.

[Reece_D]

If Tyson Fury stays around and has the dedication to stay number 1 then he rules the division comftably in my opinion.

[Bard of Boxrec]

I voted Joshua but it depends on the opportunities Ortiz gets and how his age affects him. If Luis doesn't get frozen out and can stay at that level till he's 42 or 43 (a tall order, but he started late etc) he has all the tools to dominate the division and that includes beating Joshua IMO.

Fury and Wilder are accidents waiting to happen. Haye has a better chance of getting to the top and staying there than those two.

[tigermoth87]

I'm surprised Joshua has so many votes. I haven't been impressed with him at all. He's got lots of power but not much else. Although he is more skilled than Wilder and won't end up looking shit against the likes of Duhaupas, Molina and Szpilka I can't see him ever been good enough to outbox Wlad, Ortiz, Fury or Povetkin.

Fury gets my vote. I actually think he'll retire undefeated and with a nice resume to boot. Wlad twice, I can see him definitely adding Joshua, Wilder's and Ortiz's feather to his cap as well as possible future fights against upcoming prospects such as Parker and Helenius.

[Oiky]

noone is beating big fury for a while

[jamesmcdonnell]

I think Fury is beatable - I'd Pick Haye to beat him, because I don't think Fury has the punch power to keep Haye in his shell.

[Bard of Boxrec]

Martin, Wlad and Browne are the only ones I would pick Fury to beat from this list.

[Undefeated49-0]

Ortiz by far has the best all around skills, very good punching power and his defense isn't leaky like Joshua, I laugh when I saw that the majority here picked a severely flawed Joshua as the man who will rule.

He probably could if he corrects all the mistakes he make but he may not if he doesn't fix his issues because he will get exposed.

[Tanzio]

No one will rule like WKlit has for the last decade. I believe that the next fully dominant HW is not on the scene yet.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Martin, Wlad and Browne are the only ones I would pick Fury to beat from this list.

I think he'd have a good shot against Wilder, I'd make that a pick'em fight, Wilder's raw, but he's tall, quick and aggressive with a good reach, which could spell serious trouble for Fury. He's not faced off against an aggressive fighter of that kind of stature before.

I agree that it's unlikely anyone on that list or elsewhere right now who will dominate anything like Wlad did.

[Lackeos]

(Slightly longer time frame than the OP described, but just barely)
1) Tyson Fury
2) Anthony Joshua
3) Joshua Parker
4) Hughie Fury
5) Adrian Granat