Five Americans to potentially next become heavyweight titlists.
Deontay Wilder was the last American boxer to hold a major heavyweight title. Having lost his belt in February of 2020, it has been over six years since the United States had a beltholder in the 200+-pound division to call their own.
Wilder himself was the first American to hold a championship at heavyweight since 2007 when he won the WBC strap in 2015. That was the longest time in boxing history where there wasn’t a big man from America to be a titlist.
Unless things change soon, that record might very well be broken. Since Wilder’s defeat, Jared Anderson has fallen to Martin Bakole, and Richard Torrez Jr. was knocked out by Frank Sanchez two weeks ago.
So, who can American fans place their faith in as their next heavyweight world champion? Let’s take a look at five potential candidates.
5. Damazion Vanhouter.
This is certainly a very early judgement to make, but in the absence of another fighter to fill the first spot on the list, Damazion ‘Mazi’ Vanhouter (12-0, 9 KOs) is as good an opening as any.
The 21-year-old based in Florida captured the attention of U.S. fans when he took out Raphael Murphy in the first round on the undercard of Shane Mosley Jr. vs. Serhii Bohachuk last month.
Standing at 6’6″, Vanhouter’s last two fights have been on Zuffa Boxing shows. And with such a connection so early on in his career, the young puncher is in a very good position.
It’s far too soon to be calling him championship material, but it can’t be denied that he has already gotten plenty of people talking.
4. Brandon Moore.
Ranked #15 by both the WBO and IBF, Brandon ‘OJ Bam’ Moore (19-1 (1), 10 KOs) also stands at 6’6″ and is based in Florida. Having suffered a stoppage loss to Richard Torrez Jr. two years ago, Moore has since rebounded with five straight wins, three of which were over undefeated fighters.
While it may seem far-fetched to be calling Moore a potential champion, he is currently in a good run of form and has been featured in talks for big opportunities.
Before his fight with Arslanbek Makhmudov was announced, it was rumoured that Tyson Fury could be fighting Moore instead. That, of course, didn’t happen, but it’s definitely a positive sign as to where the 32-year-old’s career could be going.
3. Joseph Awinongya Jr.
Definitely an interesting prospect for the future, Joseph Awinongya Jr. has not even turned professional yet. So, it says a lot that he has already been spoken of as possibly the next American to reach the top of the heavyweight mountain.
Having only recently turned 19 years old, Awinongya is nothing if not ambitious. Currently waiting for the 2028 Summer Olympics, he has stated that he would like to fight Moses Itauma in his professional debut.
That type of introduction to the paid ranks would be a very dangerous one indeed. However, it must be said that the promising teen has already convinced many that he is the fighter they’ve been crying out for.
It is very early to be able to tell. Good thing Awinongya has time on his side.
2. Jarrell Miller.
One of boxing’s most controversial characters, Jarrell ‘Big Baby’ Miller (28-1-2, 22 KOs) has already come close to his chance at the big time, famously scuppering a unified title shot against Anthony Joshua because of a failed drug test in 2019.
Much has been said of his PED offences, but the loud-mouthed Brooklyn fighter remains popular. Regularly weighing in at over 300 pounds, he is also considered to have one of the toughest chins in the division.
A stoppage loss to Daniel Dubois and a contentious draw with Andy Ruiz Jr. previously served as his most meaningful fights, yet in his last two appearances, Miller has gone viral by having his hairpiece punched off in a win over Kingsley Ibeh and become one of only ten heavyweights in history to throw over a thousand punches in a WBA title eliminator victory against the unbeaten Lenier Pero.
At 37 years old, he doesn’t have much time to waste, but he is certainly in a pretty good stage of his career at the moment.
1. David Benavidez.
Perhaps the next American heavyweight champion is someone who isn’t even currently a heavyweight. That sounds strange on the surface, but that may turn out to be a legitimate possibility.
David ‘The Mexican Monster’ Benavidez (32-0, 26 KOs) has already been a world champion at super-middleweight, light-heavyweight, and cruiserweight. Having destroyed Gilberto Ramirez to become unified cruiserweight champion last month, he is now considered by many to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.
It is also that win that has had many discussing him as a potential future heavyweight, such was his dominance in the division just below.
Benavidez is listed as being between 6’0½” and 6’2″. Either way, he would be considered very small in this era of big men. However, his sheer ability has had many people believing he could make history by lifting a heavyweight belt, as well.
At the moment, the 29-year-old still has business to take care of at 175 and 200 pounds. But if he is to emerge unbeaten at those weights, those in the heaviest division had better start making preparations, for Benavidez is sure to come calling.
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