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It’s been a long time since the United States has had the greatest weight in the world, more than a century now. Even if he’s not at his best, there’s no denying that Deontay Wilder was a highlight in his prime, making it interesting to wonder what happens when his right hand lands.
The world will ask that question again for the first time since Wilder’s dramatic third-round fight against Tyson Fury as the former WBC champion returns.
10/15: Hvy – TBRB #3 Deontay Wilder (42-2-1, 41 KO) vs. Robert Helenius (31-3, 20 KO)
Helenius has been stopped twice but is on a roll with three straight wins. Can Helenius do something amazing before Wilder releases? It’s a pay-per-view show and fans will decide how much they want to find out. It’s one of a series of quality untitled (or temporary title… one thing really) matches dotted throughout the month that include the Wilder-Helenius partnership and a family feud between daughters. Nigel Benn and Chris Eubank:
10/8: 154 – #6 (160) Chris Eubank Jr. (32-2, 23 OR) vs. #10 (147) Conor Benn (21-0, 14 KO)
10/15: 168 – #2 Kaleb Shuka (21-1, 12 KO) vs. Anthony Dirrell (34-2-2, 25 KOs)
Grudge Matches in Greenwich (Redux)
The death of Queen Elizabeth supported this great card to October. My thoughts on it haven’t changed so here is (with minor edits) what was written in the September preview:
In the year that already gave us Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano, no women’s card this month is better than the one happening in the UK at the O2 Arena:
10/15: 160 – Claressa Shields (12-0, 2 KO, Lineal/WBA/WBC/IBF) vs. Savannah Marshall (12-0, 10 KOs, WBO)
10/15: 130 – Mikaela Mayer (17-0, 5 KO, IBF/WBO) vs. Alycia Baumgardner (12-1, 7 KOs, WBC)
The Shields lost just one bout as a favorite en route to two more Olympic gold medals. This is Marshall’s wife and the trash talk is pretty good. Talent rosters may be thin and overmatched but the Shields are not far behind and the Marshall League has been very successful in its last outing. Will the Marshall Outbox Shield or the big hitter, with home advantage, win?
Don’t be surprised if another fight on the card steals the show. The negotiations were fatal to the Mayer-Baumgardner merger crisis. This is the biggest fight to date for either rival and the style can put together a truly friendly affair.
Heavy Duty Table Set
Top Rank moved the chip to a spot for the big 2023 at heavyweight if they can make big fights. Shakur Stevenson will be a thing soon. Soon, don’t be surprised if we have a long competition. Vasyl Lomachenko has been appointed as the ‘french’ of the WBC instead of taking the duty with Devin Haney. Haney is now reigning as the heavyweight king and Lomachenko is ready to challenge. Each has business to take care of now, with Haney again playing a mandatory match and Lomachenko starting the year since returning from the crisis in Ukraine:
10/15: 135 – World Champion Devin Haney (28-0, 15 KO, WBA/WBC/IBF/WBO) vs. #1 George Kambosos (20-1, 10 KO)
10/29: 135 – #2 Vasyl Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KO) vs. #9 Jamaine Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs)
More of the theme in September
Men
10/08: 115 – #4 Fernando Martinez (14-0, 8 KO, IBF) vs. #8 Jerwin Ancajas (33-2-2, 22 KO)
Women
10/01: 115 – Lourdes Juarez (34-2, 4 KO, WBC) vs. Ashley Macias (14-2, 7 KOs, WBC)
10/15: 122 – Cherneka Johnson (14-1, 6 KO, IBF) vs. Susie Ramadan (29-3, 12 KO)
10/15: 122 – Yamileth Mercado (19-3, 5 KO, WBC) vs. Mariana Juarez (55-11-4, 19 KO)
10/29: 135 – World Champion Katie Taylor (21-0, 6 KO, WBA/WBC/IBF/WBO) vs. Karen Carbajal (19-0, 2 KO)
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the World Boxing Organization, a member of the World Boxing Research Association, and a member of the Writers Guild of America.
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