Heavyweight

The undefeated Anthony Joshua will look to add another heavyweight title to his collection on Saturday, when he takes on New Zealand's Joseph Parker—a fellow fighter yet to taste the sting of defeat—at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

With good looks, Herculean muscles and a perfect 20 knockouts in 20 professional bouts, Joshua has quickly become one of the sport's biggest global stars. 

Parker is 24-0 in his career with 18 knockouts. He has made two successful defenses of his world title since winning it in a bout with Andy Ruiz Jr. in December 2016. As Ring's third-ranked heavyweight, he figures to be one of the biggest challenges yet for Joshua.

Joshua holds the IBF, IBO and WBA world heavyweight titles, while Parker carries the WBO world heavyweight strap.

Here's how to watch the bout.

      

Joshua vs. Parker Fight Info

When: Saturday, March 31 at 10 p.m. local, 5 p.m. ET

Where: Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales

TV: Sky Sports Box Office (PPV, UK only), Showtime (U.S.)

Live Stream: Sky Sports Box Office (PPV, UK only), Showtime Anytime (U.S.)

Joshua is just one fight removed from his signature win, a back-and-forth thriller with Wladimir Klitschko that ended with the Englishman forcing a stoppage in the 11th round, but not before he suffered a knockdown of his own earlier in the fight. 

He followed that up with a 10th-round TKO win over Carlos Takam, a match that saw Joshua's nose damage and Takam's face carved up by several rounds of punishment. 

With his last two bouts lasting significantly longer than just about any of his first 18, the 28-year-old Joshua has gained valuable experience, even if it's raised some questions.

He took significant punishment from Klitschko, and at one point in the bout looked like he might collapse from exhaustion. Takam was able to rough him up a bit early, but Joshua kept the ship righted and looked better off in the late rounds. 

Joshua knows Parker is a dangerous opponent, but he believes he's already got a strategy worked out to beat him.

"The difference is I know how to counter-punch," Joshua said, per Stuff.co.nz's Duncan Johnstone.

"I haven't seen Parker counter-punching anyone. I'll punish him when he's throwing at me, and I'll punish him when he's thinking of throwing at me. I'll break him down."

Joshua has the power to make opponents think twice about going on the offensive, but Parker is capable of fighting in myriad ways and may yet be an improved fighter.

Parker had surgery on his elbows late in 2017, something his team is spinning as a plus. Parker's promoter, David Higgins, said his fighter has "got his snap in his jab back," per ESPN.com's Will Kent.

Stamina could be another solved issue for the 26-year-old New Zealander, as he looks to prove he's not just a stepping stone to a potential Joshua-Deontay Wilder superfight. Per CBS Sports' Brian Campbell, many saw a diminished Parker in 2017:

"However, many boxing fans and critics -- particularly those in the United States -- haven't remained as sober while taking stock of Parker's strengths. A lot of that has to do with how pedestrian he appeared in 2017, particularly in a close majority decision win over England's Hughie Fury last September in his opponent's backyard of Manchester.

For many, the fight was a continuation in what has appeared to be a downward trend for Parker since winning the vacant title by majority decision over Andy Ruiz Jr. in 2016. On his way up the ladder, Parker looked fit and dominant while blowing through opposition. Yet his three title bouts have featured a more sluggish, heavier Parker laboring to decision wins in less-than-impressive fashion."

Parker appears to be cutting a trimmer figure these days. Taking Joshua deep into the bout would be a good strategy, as it's still relatively uncharted territory for the knockout artist.

Though Joshua is a heavy favorite—he is at -700 (bet $700 to win $100) as of Thursday, per OddsShark—Parker can redeem himself a bit with a good showing, and launch himself into the stratosphere if he pulls off the upset. 

"I'm young, hungry, fit and strong. I've got my speed back, and I'll show you on Saturday," said Parker, per BBC Sport's Luke Reddy.

With better stamina and a crisper jab, Parker could give Joshua quite a bit of trouble on Saturday. But Joshua has proved he's committed to tearing down each and every fighter he's faced so far, and his power and improving skill will make him hard to bet against. Look for Joshua to get a mid-to-late-round stoppage and keep the drumbeat going for an eventual bout with Wilder.

For an undefeated fighter who has a world title and knocked out nearly everyone he has faced in his career, Deontay Wilder still has something to prove.

Wilder (39-0, 38 KOs) has made a litany of boxers in the heavyweight division look helpless against his ferocious power, but his critics will note that even with nearly 40 fights under his belt, he hasn't truly been challenged.

To his credit, the 32-year-old has stayed committed to seeking out an opponent with proven skill, and he will likely get a chance to show he's more than just a walloping right hand when he takes on Luis Ortiz on Saturday night.

Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) was supposed to challenge Wilder for his WBC world heavyweight title in November, but the WBC dropped him after a positive drug test.

That led to Wilder demolishing Bermane Stiverne with a first-round knockout instead, a spectacle that was more of an opportunity for the former to let out his frustrations than an actual competitive boxing match.

Now, the two dangerous punchers are set to clash in what is one of the better fights that can be made in a largely depleted heavyweight division.

Here's how you can check out the action. 

             

Wilder vs. Ortiz Fight Info

When: Saturday, March 3 at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn

TV: Showtime (U.S.), Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action (UK)

Live Stream: ShowtimeAnytime, Sky Go (UK)

Tickets: StubHub

             

When we last saw Wilder, he was busy turning Stiverne into a personal punching bag. He knocked the 39-year-old down three times in the first round and barely had time to work up a sweat before delivering a final punishing blow. 

Here is it, per Showtime: 

Just like that. @BronzeBomber KOs Stiverne in the 1st. #WilderStiverne2 pic.twitter.com/r6PY4Mxx47

— All the Smoke Boxing (@atsboxing) November 5, 2017

The bout looked like it never should have happened, even though Stiverne is the only fighter to go the distance with Wilder. That bout was in January 2015, but the Haiti-born boxer looked a shell of his former self four months ago.

Wilder was in the same kind of form that helped him shred the likes of Gerald Washington, Chris Arreola and Artur Szpilka in recent bouts. 

The Alabamian isn't lacking for confidence going into this one. He's expecting to do to Ortiz what he has done to so many other fighters who have stepped into the ring with him. 

"When I think about Luis Ortiz, I see threes. It's a magical number. I see a third-round knockout," Wilder said, per BoxingNews24.com's Allan Fox. "I've done what I've said so far, and I haven't let anybody down. I will knock him out and then I will unify the division."

Ortiz has a better reputation than many of the other boxers Wilder has swiftly cut down, but as Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ noted, he hasn't exactly faced a murderer's row of opponents: 

"Who has he beaten? Bryant Jennings was probably his best win, back in December 2015. He finished Jennings in seven, and looked good doing it. He beat a faded Tony Thompson after that, then labored through 12 rounds against Malik Scott, who can ugly up a fight when he wants to, and he wanted to do it that night. In his last two, Ortiz has beaten David Allen and Daniel Martz, non-contenders, in the past two Decembers.

"Is he a threat to Wilder? Sure. He's a big, strong guy who's a threat to anyone he faces. But how long is he a threat to Wilder? How good is his stamina? How long is his power truly dangerous? That's the real question, at least to me."

Ortiz is something of a cypher to some because he hasn't had many high-profile bouts, but keen observers note he is very skilled. 

Writing for Deadspin in late 2016, former boxing manager Charles Farrell called the 38-year-old Cuban "the best heavyweight in the world," although the passing of time may sap Ortiz of some of his skills. Ring has him as the No. 5 heavyweight, three spots behind Wilder. 

Heavyweight fighter Nathan Gorman is picking Ortiz to win:

Some big old heavyweights fights being announced. Here’s my early betting predictions . Wilder - Ortiz > Ortiz KO, Joshua v Parker > Joshua KO , Whyte vs Browne > Whyte points.

— Nathan Gorman (@GormanBoxing) January 12, 2018

However, ESPN's panel of experts all think Wilder is going to take the bout, although a few have it going the distance. 

Ortiz has plenty to fight for, as he looks to become the first-ever Cuban world heavyweight champion.

"This fight is not only important for my family, but for Cuban boxing history," Ortiz said, per RingTV.com's Mike Coppinger. "My only focus right now is on the strategy I will need to defeat Wilder, but I know this fight has a lot of significance. I'm going to make history for myself and my country when I knock out Wilder on March 3."

These two might start out cagey in respecting each other's skill and power, but as soon as one starts to let the fists fly, this match could be over within a few rounds. Wilder has his thermonuclear right hand, while Ortiz is a slick, powerful southpaw and can really beat up fighters if he gets inside on them. 

Whoever wins the bout will have their pick of opponents after that, with the best path to a monumental payday coming in the form of a challenge to the current star of the division, Anthony Joshua. 

If Ortiz does pull off the win, he will likely face further scrutiny and criticism fighting so shortly after his failed drug test. He had also previously failed a test in 2014, per ESPN's Dan Rafael, so an upset could lead to plenty of cries of foul play from Wilder's camp.

Boxer Deontay Wilder turned heads in January when he told TMZ Sports he would beat the 1986 version of Mike Tyson, but Iron Mike disagreed.

"I don't think so," Tyson said Wednesday when asked if Wilder would beat him in his prime.

Lennox Lewis knows what it's like to fight Tyson—and past his prime, no less. He said: "I like Wilder, but he's never been in there with someone that ferocious who truly wants to break his ribs with every punch. I don't see it!"

Lewis weighed in further on social media:

My best advice to the entire crop of young heavyweight champs is to focus on being the best of YOUR era! Out of respect and reality. It’s unprovable. Of course ppl asked, but I found no need to speculate or compare myself to my idol Ali or any other of the past greats.

— Lennox Lewis, CBE, CM (@LennoxLewis) January 27, 2018

Wilder suggested the older boxers should be more supportive of the new generation instead of focusing on comparisons when he appeared on CBS Sports' In This Corner podcast with Brian Campbell:

"These past champions, what they should be doing is motivating the up-and-coming guys," Wilder said. "They don't need to motivate me because I'm self-motivated. They don't need to give me convincing. But these other guys coming up, they should start a trend. Instead of hating on these guys coming for the top or worry about their legacy getting run over for what they did in their era, that era is gone! This is the new era over here!"

Wilder (39-0, 38KOs) has more than just hypothetical showdowns with prime Tyson to worry about considering the undefeated clash scheduled for March 3.

He will face Luis Ortiz (28-0, 24 KOs) in Brooklyn, New York, after their first matchup never came to fruition because Ortiz tested positive for a banned substance. Wilder previously handled replacement Bermane Stiverne with ease.

Former boxer Mike Tyson is ready to cash in on marijuana, which was recently legalized for recreational use in California. 

According to Gary Trock of The Blast, Tyson broke ground on a 40-acre plot of land in California City, which he intends to use to grow marijuana as well as fund research into the medical effects of the drug.

The resort, which is named Tyson Ranch, is in Southern California, about 60 miles southwest of Death Valley National Park.

While 20 acres of the area will be used to create "high-quality strains of THC and CBD," the ranch will also feature a hydro-feed plant and supply store, extraction facility, edible factory, premium "glamping" campgrounds and cabins, an amphitheater and the Tyson Cultivation School to teach new growers.

The former heavyweight champion was fined in 2000 for testing positive for marijuana, and he said in his memoir that he got high before major fights. He also said he used marijuana when he was sentenced for cocaine possession in 2007.

California became the sixth state to allow recreational use of the drug as of Jan. 1, providing Tyson and others the opportunity to sell it legally with a license.

California City mayor Jennifer Wood was present at the groundbreaking and called the new ranch a "rebirth" for the city, per Trock, as it hopes to provide many jobs for the area.

Heavyweight titleholder Deontay Wilder is back in the ring for only the second time in 2017, putting his belt on the line Saturday night against the only man he has failed to stop to this point in his nine-year professional career.

Bermane Stiverne (25-2-1, 21 KOs) is the mandatory challenger taking on Wilder (38-0, 37 KOs), looking to win back the WBC world heavyweight title he lost to the Bronze Bomber in a 12-round slugfest nearly three years ago.

Wilder won that bout by a wide margin on the cards and has successfully defended the title five times since. Stiverne has fought just once since that bout, and is back in the ring after a two-year absence.

Wilder was originally set to fight Luis Ortiz, but the Cuban boxer was removed from the card after testing positive for two banned substances found in blood pressure medication, per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael. 

The Showtime card also features two other bouts. Adrian Granados will challenge Shawn Porter in a 10-round welterweight fight, and Akihiro Kondo will take on Sergey Lipinets for the vacant IBF world super lightweight title.

        

Wilder vs. Stiverne Fight Info

When: Saturday, Nov. 4 at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center in New York City

TV: Showtime (U.S.), Sky Sports Main Event (UK)

Live Stream: ShowtimeAnytime 

Tickets: StubHub

Considering Stiverne's myriad disadvantages in this bout and Wilder's big win in their first contest, it should come as little surprise that the latter is the heavy favorite. According to OddsShark (as of Thursday, Nov. 1), Wilder is a massive -2500 favorite (bet $2,500 to win $100), Stiverne a +1000 underdog. 

At 39 years old and likely with plenty of ring rust accumulated in the two years between appearances, one has to wonder what, if anything, Stiverne has left in the tank. The Canadian's last fight was a decision win over the journeyman Derric Rossy in November 2015. 

Wilder is just 32 years old and has fought consistently since winning the WBC world title. He's knocked out the likes of Eric Molina and Artur Szpilka in late rounds, while forcing Chris Arreola to retire. His last time out was a fifth-round TKO of the overmatched Gerald Washington in February of this year. 

Stiverne's status as a late replacement would also seem to tip the bout in Wilder's favor, though he has been in the mix since February due to his status as mandatory challenger. He also has in-ring experience and plenty of tape on his foe, plus the confidence that he can take whatever Wilder is dishing. Per the Boston Herald's Ron Borges, Stiverne claims he was sick during that bout, and yet was still on his feet after 12 rounds:

“Everything he gave me I ate it like breakfast, as a sick man in the ring. The man couldn’t knock me out. Nobody can knock me out. Nobody. You see what I’m saying?”

Perhaps Stiverne does have the chin to withstand Wilder's best punches a second time out, but it's not like the champion will be forced to pursue a knockout to win this time around.

Wilder has a five-inch height advantage, and his reach is 83 inches compared to Stiverne's 77, per BoxRec. He can bank rounds with movement and a strong jab, a strategy that proved effective in their first meeting. The Alabama native feels so confident in his abilities to beat Stiverne a second time around, he's promised to walk away from the sport if he loses.

“The way I’m feeling about boxing right now,” he said, per BoxingInsider.com's Sean Crose, “if Bermane Stiverne beats me, I will retire. You can put that down. I will be out of the way.”

Part of Wilder's frustrations with the sport may stem from criticisms that he hasn't taken on his division's best, but as Bad Left Hook's Scott Christ notes, that isn't entirely his fault:

"He tried to go to Russia to fight Alexander Povetkin. Povetkin failed a drug test. He tried to fight Luis Ortiz. Ortiz failed a drug test. Unless you believe there is a vast conspiracy keeping Wilder’s potentially dangerous opponents sidelined via bogus testing, you can’t blame Wilder or his team, at least not for all of it.

Personally, I think Wilder is a pretty good fighter — better than some of his harsher critics believe, but not as good as his biggest fans probably believe. The one thing all of us can agree on is this: he’s got an eraser right hand, and that makes him more than just “dangerous” against anyone. Anyone."

If all goes well for Wilder on Saturday, he'll have another win under his belt, but the win won't do much to burnish his credentials. He should be able to beat Stiverne handily considering his power and advantages. 

Beyond this bout, Wilder will be looking to take the next step, perhaps rescheduling Ortiz before a potential blockbuster against Britain's emerging superstar Anthony Joshua.

Anthony Joshua is back in the ring on Saturday, ready to defend his three titles for the first time since defeating the great Wladimir Klitschko in a thrilling, back-and-forth bout in April. 

The fight against Klitschko was far and away the toughest of Joshua's career. He was knocked down for the first time in his career in the sixth round, only to storm back and get two knockdowns in the 11th before forcing the referee to stop the contest for a TKO win.

For an encore, Joshua—who holds the IBF, IBO and WBA world heavyweight titles—will take on Carlos Takam, a veteran boxer who has won his last two bouts by knockout. Takam stepped in with about two weeks' notice as a late replacement for the injured Kubrat Pulev, who hurt his shoulder in training, per the Press Association (via the Guardian).

Having established himself as the man to beat in the heavyweight ranks, Joshua is all set to capitalize on his abilities and grow into a superstar known the world over. To get there, though, he will have to impress against opponents like Takam.

Here's the viewing info for the bout. 

                    

Anthony Joshua vs. Carlos Takam Fight Info

When: Saturday, Oct. 28 at 5 p.m. ET

Where: Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales

TV: Showtime (US), Sky Sports Box Office (UK, pay-per-view)

Live Stream: SHO.com (US)

While the bout against Klitschko did nothing to end Joshua's perfect start to his career—19 wins by knockout in 19 matches—it did prove he is not invincible. 

Joshua has lethal power and a superhuman physique, but in the middle rounds against Klitschko his stamina waned to the point where he appeared too gassed to continue. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Hq09rPv3hs

To his everlasting credit, he found a second wind in the bout and was able to bear down and win the fight, but the 40-year-old Klitschko didn't have enough in his own tank to take the bout to Joshua when he was vulnerable. 

Joshua has had plenty of time to sharpen his conditioning in the intervening months, and he should have little trouble dispatching Takam. OddsShark.com has Joshua as a massive 1-50 favorite and Takam a 14-1 underdog as of Thursday.

Takam has a good record and a solid 27 knockouts in his career for a 69 percent KO rate, per BoxRec, but he has never held a world title and has hardly faced anyone of note outside of his adopted country of France (he was born in Cameroon).

His most recent loss was a unanimous-decision defeat to WBO champion Joseph Parker in May 2016. When Takam faced the powerful Alexander Povetkin in 2014, he ended up losing by knockout. In between, he's beaten up some journeyman fighters, but Joshua will be the most difficult test of his career.

Takam is coming into the bout on late notice, but he knew there was a chance he could be called in to replace Pulev. 

"When the Pulev fight was announced I made a deal with Takam's team to begin [training] camp and be on standby for this fight. When I called them this evening they were overjoyed and good to go," said Joshua's promoter Eddie Hearn, per the Press Association (via the Guardian).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxFUJRB13EA

Takam should be fit and ready to give Joshua a good test. He can make the fight interesting if he is able to do what few others have done and drag Joshua past the fourth round or so, testing the champion's stamina. 

Joshua for his part will look to overwhelm Takam, stalking his opponent around the ring and putting on the kind of show he knows the thousands of fans pay good money to see. 

"I think that's why everyone is here again, we are going to have another war and wear our hearts on our sleeves on Saturday," said Joshua, per the Daily Mail's Jordan Seward.

"When people come to watch me they know they are going to see a bit of blood, a knockout and respect after and that's what people want and that's what we will give."

It may not be exactly the opponent or bout Joshua had in mind, but this is still a fine opportunity to show he is a true world champion.

A quick win over Takam would serve him well as he looks forward to putting together the kind of high-profile bouts that will turn him into a global superstar.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed boxer Luis Ortiz has failed a drugs test, and his upcoming fight with Deontay Wilder has reportedly been cancelled as a result. 

Sulaiman took to Twitter to make the announcement:

@WBCBoxing has received confirmation from @Vada_Testing that Luis Ortiz has tested positive for a banned substance under #CleanBoxingProgram

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) September 29, 2017

Per Sky Sports' James Dielhenn, Ortiz, who was due to fight champion Wilder for the WBC heavyweight title on November 4, took part in Voluntary Anti-Doping Association testing as part of the "clean boxing program."

Fight promoter Lou DiBella also confirmed the news of the test and said the bout would be cancelled, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.

Ortiz's urine sample was taken on September 22 and results on Thursday stated the sample tested positive for the "diuretics chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide, which are used to treat high blood pressure but also can be used as masking agents for performance-enhancing drug use," according to a letter from VADA president Dr. Margaret Goodman obtained by ESPN.

As Rafael noted, this is not the Cuban's first failed test nor the first time Wilder has had a fight fall through because of an opponent:

This is Luis Ortiz's second dirty drug test since 2014. 1st negated an interim title victory. This one will to cost him huge title shot.

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 29, 2017

Gotta feel bad for @BronzeBomber. He's consistently tested clean with VADA but has had 3 opponents fail tests in past 18 months. #boxing

— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) September 29, 2017

Ortiz's positive test for steroids in 2014 prompted his win against Lateef Kayode to go down as a no-contest.

At the announcement of the fight, just two days before the test was taken, Wilder told Ortiz to "Stay clean, because we'll be checking," and urged him, "Don't f--k this up for me."

Fellow boxers Tony Bellew, Nathan Gorman and trainer Shane McGuigan gave their reaction to the news, with the former calling for an indefinite suspension:

Ban Ortiz for life!

— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) September 29, 2017

Ortiz fails another drug test what a joke. I'd fight wilder tomorrow what a waste of talent he is

— Nathan Gorman (@GormanBoxing) September 29, 2017

Luis Ortiz fails a drug test again. Shocking 👎🏼

— Shane McGuigan (@McGuigans_Gym) September 29, 2017

A late replacement for Ortiz in the November 4 fight will now need to be found. Dillian Whyte has already volunteered himself:

No excuses now @Bronzebomber I will take Ortizs place lets get it made @EddieHearn @premierboxing #ALWAYSREADY

— Dillian Whyte (@DillianWhyte) September 29, 2017

Another alternative could be former heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne, who is already due to fight on the November 4 undercard against Dominic Breazeale.

After seeing him in Ray as Ray Charles and Ali as Drew "Bundini" Brown, who better to play boxing great Mike Tyson than Jamie Foxx?                      

Foxx, who won the Oscar for Best Actor for his work in Ray, will step into Tyson's shoes on the big screen in the near future, per the Sun, and the legendary fighter approves of the project.

"It's on, as of right now," Tyson said. "Jamie Foxx has signed on for it. Filming hasn't started yet, but it's going to happen. ... A lot of people aren't going to like the things I've done in my life."

The biographical film should draw worldwide attention with several notable heavyweights involved with the project. Academy Award winner Martin Scorsese will reportedly direct the biopic.           

Former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has retired from boxing on the back of his heroic defeat to Anthony Joshua in April after over two decades as a professional.

Joshua's promoter, Eddie Hearn, revealed on Thursday he heard the news from Klitschko's manager, Bernd Boente, amid talk over a potential rematch between the pair:

I heard the news this morning from Bernd Boente that Wladimir Klitschko has decided to retire from boxing. We wish him all the success 👊🏼

— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) August 3, 2017

Per Sky Sports' Richard Damerell, Hearn said on Wednesday he expected a "final decision" to be made over the mooted Nov. 11 rematch by the end of the next week.

But now Klitschko, 41, has opted to hang up his gloves after a glittering career, with his professional record at 64 wins and five defeats (53 KOs).

Per BBC Sport, Klitschko explained his decision for calling it a day: "I have achieved everything I dreamed of, and now I want to start my second career after sports. I would have never imagined that I would have such a long and incredibly successful boxing career."

Given that talks were advanced for Klitschko to fight Joshua, 27, again, the announcement comes as something of a surprise.

Joshua's 11th-round stoppage of the Ukrainian at Wembley Stadium capped one of the most dramatic and enthralling heavyweight fights in recent memory. Klitschko emerged from the clash with his reputation arguably enhanced having rocked his opponent throughout, per Sky Sports News:

WATCH: Wladimir @Klitschko announces retirement from boxing. More here: https://t.co/Gok3TH0hqe #SSN https://t.co/t5fvbvweuY

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 3, 2017

Hearn admitted he was disappointed there will not be a rematch but paid tribute to Klitschko, per MailOnline's Riath Al-Samarrai: 

"We are obviously disappointed from an event perspective because the rematch was huge, but from a personal perspective I am happy for Wladimir.

"He has had a tremendous career and leaves with a great legacy, in great health and with everything he needs in life. He could have made millions for this fight, but he already has millions."

He bows out of the sport having won more than most, including an Olympic gold medal at Atlanta 1996. 

Klitschko was a two-time world heavyweight champion, most recently holding the unified title from April 2006 to Nov. 2015, when he lost to Britain's Tyson Fury on points in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Count Mike Tyson among the people who think boxing scored a huge victory with the thrilling heavyweight championship fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko. 

Per ESPN.com's Mark Lomas, Tyson believes Joshua's 11th-round TKO of Klitschko is a game-changer for the sport of boxing:

"Whenever there's a new heavyweight champion and he's explosive like that and wins the title like that it changes the whole game. All the little guys that were making a lot of money are not going to make their money any more.

"It's all going to be about Joshua and the heavyweights now. That one fight changed boxing."

Boxing has been struggling to find a new heavyweight champion who can captivate a worldwide audience for years. Tyson was an electric fighter early in his career who maintained that must-see quality until his last fight against Kevin McBride in 2005, because it was impossible to predict what he was going to do. 

Fighters like Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis had prestige during their respective runs as heavyweight champion. Klitschko had an incredible 11-year undefeated streak from 2004-15, though he's 41 and coming off back-to-back losses. 

Joshua is just 27 years old and boasts a 19-0 record with 19 knockouts. He's got the kind of power and exciting fighting style to help bring the heavyweight division back to prominence.