The eight-man competitions, where the winner walks away with not only the glory – but a stack of cash and the Muhammad Ali Trophy, has been gaining headway in the column inches since formation one year ago.
Both the 168 and 200 pound offerings in Season 1 have been packed full of the best talent in both weight classes, something which could clean up the mess behind the two current top division world champions.
Four-belt title holder Anthony Joshua has mandatory challengers lining up, whilst WBC ruler Deontay Wilder has one in former ‘AJ’ opponent Dominic Breazeale and a second mandatory fight ordered between Luis Ortiz and Dillian Whyte.
Joshua and Wilder have held talks regarding a massive undisputed unification, and if agreed, a Super Series featuring their clutch of would-be challengers could be the order of the day.
Promoter Kalle Sauerland revealed to WBN last year that the heavyweight division was one he has considered.
“I love the middleweights and of course the heavyweights. That’s the ultimate aim with the Muhammed Ali trophy to get the heavyweights involved in the next couple of years,” Sauerland told WBN.
Bantamweight has already been confirmed, although TWO MORE weight-classes will follow and hopefully heavyweight could be one of those.
It’s not rocket science who should be included as Breazeale, Ortiz and Whyte would join IBF number one Kubrat Pulev, former WBO champion Joseph Parker and Alexander Povetkin – a number one with two organizations.
It’s way too early for Tyson Fury to be considered, so the likes of Tony Bellew, Jarrell Miller, Andy Ruiz and Carlos Takam would join plenty of others vying to be included.
Possible heavyweight WBSS:
Seeds: Luis Ortiz, Kubrat Pulev, Joseph Parker, Alexander Povetkin
Quarter-Finalists: Dillian Whyte, Dominic Breazeale and two others
A tournament format gives Joshua and Wilder time to follow through with two contests in the UK and USA, with the winner of the Ali Trophy becoming the first challenger to the new undisputed king.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
