“It’s Been Flying”: Former Pro Boxer Urges Fans Not to Judge Boxing Based on the “Lagging” Heavyweight Division, Revisiting and Detailing How Last Year Unfolded for the Sport

The last year has been nothing short of eventful for boxing fanatics. From multiple debuts, controversies, and the usual wins and losses, 2023 had it all packed together. Fans saw family feuds, first-round knockouts, MMA stars making a mark through their debuts, lawsuits, and much more.

However, according to David Coldwell, once an active player inside the ring, the heavyweight division seemed dull in comparison to the other divisions, which made sure the fans stayed engaged. Anthony Joshua earned three victories while Oleksandr Usyk knocked out Daniel Dubois. Tyson Fury, on the other hand, earned a controversial victory over Francis Ngannou. Coldwell explains why the sport should not be judged solely on the basis of the heavyweight division.

Why does David Coldwell consider 2023 a ‘brilliant’ year for boxing?

Coldwell amusingly notes how people persistently focus on the Heavyweight division, which appears to have lost some luster. Despite being considered the flagship, many seem to have overlooked the dynamic and exciting developments in other divisions. “People still go on about boxing this boxing that. The only thing is, the Heavyweight division has been lagging behind. Because it’s a flagship, people have kind of like forgotten, not fans that know the sports inside out, but event fans. They’re kind of like ‘boxing’s sh*t, none of the big fights are happening’. Maybe not in the Heavyweight division, but in the other divisions, ya they have. It’s been flying,” said Coldwell.

The truth, according to Coldwell is, in other weight classes, the sport has been thriving. Numerous impactful and thrilling fights featuring well-known fighters have taken place, making it a fantastic year for boxing overall. “There have been absolute like game-changers, been brilliant, amazing fights, names versus names, fights that you wanna see they’ve all been happening and they’ve been delivering and it’s been a great year for sports,” noted Coldwell.

Coldwell is of the opinion that boxing is thriving and the naysayers are only looking at one side of the spectrum. Based on what Coldwell thinks it seems, 2024 might be an even better year for boxing, especially considering the number of prospective fights that are already in the pipeline for the year.

Fights to look forward to in 2024

Diving into the heavyweight domain, a seismic event is on the horizon as Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk prepare to etch their names into boxing history. Slated for February 17 in Riyadh, this bout transcends mere competition; it’s a pivotal chapter in heavyweight lore. The towering WBC champion, Fury, squares off against Usyk, holding the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles, both undefeated. Beyond the belts, this clash embodies a quest for legacy and undisputed heavyweight supremacy. Joshua is also on the lookout for his next opponent.

Read More: “I’m Coming for Them”: After TKO Victory Against Jarrell Miller, Daniel Dubois Lays Out His Plan for 2024

Simultaneously, the welterweight division sees Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr. reignite their intense rivalry. Following their initial encounter, the highly anticipated rematch is confirmed. Crawford, the pound-for-pound king, and Spence Jr., a formidable force, collide in a bout poised to redefine welterweight dominance. The stakes are monumental, and the global boxing community eagerly anticipates this sequel.

With so many exciting fights lined up, which one are you looking forward to the most?

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