DEONTAY WILDER’S shock loss to Joseph Parker has shaken boxing’s heavyweight division to the core.
Parker defeated Wilder via unanimous decision in Saudi Arabia following a stunning performance.
This fight was supposed to set up a highly-anticipated clash between the Bronze Bomber and Anthony Joshua.
That would have been the case as Joshua beat Otto Wallin via TKO in the fifth round.
AJ was successful in his unofficial semi-final bout, however the American fell short and seems to have put that dream match on hold.
But what does that also mean for other heavyweights, such as Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk and Daniel Dubois? SunSport reveal what’s next for each boxing star:
DEONTAY WILDER
Deontay Wilder was supposed to face Anthony Joshua next – provided he beat Joseph Parker first.
The winner would have gone on to fight the victor between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk.
However, Wilder came up short against Parker and those plans are now uncertain, despite rumours of a £100million two-fight contract with Joshua being agreed.
Therefore, the Bronze Bomber will have to find another way to bounce back – that is of course if he doesn’t retire like he suggested following his loss to the New Zealand star.
The 38-year-old may have to forget about facing AJ and instead learn from him as he found a way to recover after his shock loss to Andy Ruiz Jr and two miserable defeats to Usyk.
Perhaps a rematch against Parker is in order as that could be the only way Wilder could return to the title picture.
ANTHONY JOSHUA
Anthony Joshua is unlikely to lock horns with Deontay Wilder any time soon.
That is despite Joshua’s stunning and dominant victory over Otto Wallin in Saudi Arabia.
AJ’s promoter Eddie Hearn previously suggested Filip Hrgovic is next for the British star.
However, the 34-year-old also wants to face the winner of the upcoming superfight between Tyson Fury and Oleskandr Usyk.
But that pair are likely to have a rematch clause in their contract – which could mean the IBF title being vacated.
That could offer Joshua, who is ranked as No1 by the IBF, fight that organisation’s mandatory, Filip Hrgovic.
And a chance to reclaim his old world title could prove far too tasty to turn down.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
TYSON FURY
Obviously Tyson Fury is totally focused on his upcoming undisputed megamatch against Oleksandr Usyk.
Fury and Usyk lock horns on February 17 in Saudi Arabia for every title available.
And the winner could go on to face Anthony Joshua next, provided a rematch isn’t in the offing.
Fury has previously called out for a Battle of Britain against AJ – but that will all depend on how his historic scrap against Usyk plays out.
OLEKSANDR USYK
As mentioned earlier, a rematch between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury could be set up after their fight.
Usyk is also undefeated and Fury has all the tools to hand the Ukrainian superstar his first ever loss.
A trilogy fight can’t be ruled out either, while Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua have called both heavyweights out.
DANIEL DUBOIS
Daniel Dubois is determined to face either Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk next.
Dubois has also called Anthony Joshua out, but his fellow Brit is likely to compete for the IBF title next.
That paves the way for a fight against either Fury or Usyk next, provided the two undefeated stars don’t have a rematch.
However, the 26-year-old may have to wait his turn and instead have a rematch with Joe Joyce or face Joseph Parker next.