The Heavyweight Stock Exchange: Analysing the Market Heading into 2017
The heavyweight division is full of intrigue right now.
Debate the level of quality all you like, but there is at least depth in the division these days, something that wasn't the case when the Klitschko brothers held all the belts simultaneously.
As we get set to close business for 2016 (although Alexander Povetkin and Bermane Stiverne fight for the interim WBC title on Saturday), it is time to take a look at the current landscape.
Just like real share prices, the heavyweight stock exchange can fluctuate quickly.
Go back 15 months and Wladimir Klitschko was the undisputed champion of the world. Now he's agreed to head out on the road to face Anthony Joshua in an attempt to get two of his belts back.
Joshua is one of three unbeaten world champions right now, while the WBA's full title remains free following former champion Tyson Fury's (hopefully temporary) exit from the sport.
Bleacher Report has attempted to assess the current market, picking out buy-low and sell-high candidates, as well as future fighters who could be worth an investment.
As ever, your feedback is welcome. Feel free to share (pun intended) your thoughts via the comments section.
Blue-Chip Stock: Wladimir Klitschko
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According to Investopedia, blue-chip companies are "known to weather downturns and operate profitably in the face of adverse economic conditions, which helps to contribute to their long record of stable and reliable growth."
Wladimir Klitschko had a long record of stable and reliable growth before running into Tyson Fury. Then, after one surprise loss, he had to weather a downturn.
Dr. Steelhammer was the undisputed champion until November 28, 2015. Yet, despite being unbeaten in 11 years, he barely threw a punch while meekly surrendering his grip on the IBF, WBA and WBO belts.
Losing for the first time in 11 years was one thing, but Klitschko didn't turn up in the ring that night in Dusseldorf, Germany. Here was a blue-chip stock that suddenly crashed.
So, was that just a temporary blip in a hugely successful career, or a sign to hang up the gloves?
After never getting the opportunity to exact revenge on his conqueror, Klitschko has now agreed to fight Anthony Joshua at Wembley Stadium in London on April 29, 2017.
He will be 41 by the time the fight comes around. Father Time is the one opponent boxers cannot hope to beat, so Klitschko is taking a huge risk choosing to carry on.
"I hadn't had such a long break as over a year in my 26-year career. So I've had time to recoup, time to cut my guns, and now I just want to shoot and let them go," Klitschko told Sky Sports News HQ.
The problem is, Wlad, you were reticent to pull the trigger last time out when everything was in your favour.
Next April, he has to go on the road to face a young, hungry champion. Defeat will surely signal the end of the road. For a blue-chipper like Klitschko, it is win or bust.
Price Is Rising: Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker
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Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker are the hottest fighters in the division right now.
Both twentysomethings hold world titles; both have gained a reputation for knocking opponents out; and both should still have room to improve, despite already being champions.
Joshua has stopped all 18 foes he has faced in the paid ranks. Eric Molina became the latest name added to the list, as Drummer Boy was drummed out inside three rounds on Saturday.
The Englishman was always predicted to do well after winning a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, but few expected it to go this well this quickly.
At 27, Joshua has the world at his feet. He is already headlining pay-per-view cards in Britain and next year will take on Wladimir Klitschko at Wembley Stadium.
As for Parker, he opted against challenging IBF champion Joshua to instead fight for the vacant WBO title.
The move proved a wise one, as the 24-year-old defeated Andy Ruiz Jr. by a majority decision on Saturday to become the first heavyweight born in New Zealand to win a major belt.
"This is just the start. Now that we have won this, we are going to dominate the heavyweight division. That's our goal," Parker said in the aftermath, per Stuff.co.nz.
Despite their successes, it still feels like there is much more to come from Joshua and Parker. While neither has faced a big name in the division yet, things will only get tougher from now on.
Their stock price is already high—but don't believe they've peaked yet.
Price Is Falling: Luis Ortiz
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When Luis Ortiz joined the Matchroom stable, his new promoter Eddie Hearn said: "Luis Ortiz is one of the most exciting heavyweights in the world and I am delighted to be working with him."
However, King Kong has failed to take Europe by storm so far. The Cuban has had two outings since the switch—and neither saw him live up to Hearn's big billing.
He was disappointing when going 12 rounds with Malik Scott in Monte Carlo, Monaco, in October, and that's putting it mildly. The fight was a stinker.
While turning in a better performance in beating David Allen by TKO in Manchester, England, on Saturday, Ortiz still had to go into Round 7 against an inexperienced domestic fighter.
Allen revealed on Twitter how it was a painful experience sharing a ring with the heavy-handed southpaw: "Ortiz hits harder than anyone I've been in with made my blood run cold a few times."
It should be remembered that the 37-year-old—who is based in Miami—is still unbeaten in 27 fights, with 23 of his victories coming inside the distance.
A year ago, though, he produced a career-best performance in stopping Bryant Jennings in New York.
Since then, Ortiz has beaten American veterans Tony Thompson and Scott (who barely threw a punch and had to be persuaded by his corner to carry on between some rounds), as well as the overmatched Allen.
There is still every reason to believe Ortiz will become a world champion. It is also tough to deny, however, that his stock has slipped in the past 12 months.
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Sell High: Deontay Wilder
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Deontay Wilder is the WBC champion with a 37-0 (36 KOs) record.
His selection as a sell-high candidate may seem extremely harsh, but The Bronze Bomber has a few questions to answer.
First, there are concerns over his health.
He managed to stop Chris Arreola in July despite only having the use of one arm. A torn right bicep, along with a broken right hand, put paid to his plans to fight again in 2016.
"I sent a message to other heavyweights that I can bring it even with one arm. It’s my duty to bring the division back to the glory days," he said, per Premier Boxing Champions.
The bicep tear is not a worry, but the broken hand is a concern for the future. Not all opponents will be as easy as Arreola to hit with one hand.
Still, Wilder revealed on Twitter he is fully fit and back in training. It is yet to be announced who his opponent will be in his comeback fight in 2017.
And that brings us to the second issue: The 31-year-old needs to face another leading big man to prove he is the real deal. The same can be said of Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker, but they're still wet behind the ears in comparison to Wilder.
It is telling that The Ring magazine has Wilder behind Tyson Fury (currently out of action) and Wladimir Klitschko (lost his most recent fight) in their rankings.
The leader of a fairly dismal pack of American heavyweights, Wilder requires a career-defining victory.
Boxers talk a lot about legacies these days, but you cannot hope to leave a lasting impression on the sport if Bermane Stiverne is the best name on your CV.
Buy Low: David Haye
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David Haye's comeback has so far included two walkover wins in the ring and a punch-up at a press conference.
The Hayemaker put away Mark de Mori and Arnold Gjergjaj with a minimum of fuss this year, albeit neither were suitable as sparring partners, let alone opponents for top-of-the-bill fights.
It was impossible to draw conclusions from those two performances, meaning the Londoner's last display of note came over four years ago (against Dereck Chisora).
So why buy low on a 36-year-old who's had major shoulder surgery and failed to turn up against Wladimir Klitschko in July 2011? Well, because Haye is a two-weight world champion who hits hard enough to trouble any heavyweight.
His next challenge isn't against a natural heavyweight, though. Haye has taken the bait and agreed to face domestic rival Tony Bellew—a world champion at cruiserweight—next year.
They are the best of enemies, as shown by the pair coming to blows at a media event to confirm their March 4 showdown at the O2 Arena in London.
"I’ll end the fight when I want to. If I want to punish you for three rounds, I will, if I want to take you out in 30 seconds, I will. You have no say, you're a chump," Haye said, per James Whaling of the Mirror.
He will be expected to deal with Bellew, because if he cannot cope against a natural cruiserweight his professional career is surely at an end.
But, while on the periphery of things right now, Haye remains an intriguing character in the top division. He has the calibre and confidence to be pitted against any of the champions.
Ready for Flotation: Hughie Fury and Dillian Whyte
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There are two British heavyweights who could make an impact at world level in 2017.
While Tyson Fury's stock in the division had to be liquidated, cousin Hughie is waiting in the wings for an opportunity to show what he can do.
Health issues, including a food allergy that sapped him of his strength, have held up the 22-year-old’s career to date.
"I’m allergic to all dairy products, chicken, so much stuff you eat every day I’m allergic to," Fury told George Gigney of Boxing News. "There’s about 10 pages of it. Wheat, everything. Now it’s just hard to eat the right food every day, I can’t have any breaks from it otherwise my body will just break down."
However, Fury now has the issue under control and is ready to make a comeback.
He is the No. 1 contender to the newly crowned WBO champion Joseph Parker, although father and trainer Peter Fury told Phil D Jay of World Boxing News how talks are also ongoing to fight Deontay Wilder.
Dillian Whyte may not be quite as close as Fury to a world-title shot just yet, but he's shown enough to suggest he can move on beyond domestic level.
The reigning British champion is the only man to so much as bother Anthony Joshua to date, even stunning his rival in Round 2 of their domestic grudge match in December 2015.
On Saturday, Whyte was involved in a ridiculously entertaining battle with Dereck Chisora. The pair left it all in the ring during a 12-round brawl that saw the former win via a split-decision verdict.
Whyte will need to be a little tighter defensively if he wants to mix it in higher circles, but you cannot question his chin.
Considering he had little amateur experience before turning pro, The Body Snatcher has the potential to bother any heavyweight in the world.
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