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How Anthony Joshua Surpasses Fury in Latest WBC Rankings

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 17th, 2024.

How Anthony Joshua Surpasses Fury in Latest WBC Rankings

By Peter Akinbo

Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has moved ahead of Tyson Fury to claim the top spot in the latest WBC heavyweight rankings, FIRST CLASS GISTS reports. The ‘Gypsy King’ is now ranked second.

Fury lost his WBC heavyweight title to Oleksandr Usyk in their undisputed clash in Saudi Arabia this past May. Previously ranked as the champion, Fury has now been placed as the second-ranked contender by the WBC.

Joshua, who has lost twice to Usyk, now sits behind the Ukrainian in the rankings. Joshua’s impressive victories over Francis Ngannou and Otto Wallin have bolstered his position, and he is expected to compete for the vacant IBF title against Daniel Dubois in September.

Agit Kabayel ranks third following his underdog win over Frank Sanchez on the Fury vs Usyk undercard in May. Zhilei Zhang holds the fourth spot after his knockout victory over Deontay Wilder, while Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba rounds out the top five with his WBC ‘silver’ belt.

Jared Anderson is ranked sixth, followed by Martin Bakole and Sanchez in seventh and eighth, respectively. Joe Joyce remains in the top ten at ninth, and rising star Bakhodir Jalolov completes the list at tenth.

This ranking shift is another setback for Fury, who had held the WBC title since defeating Wilder in 2020 and defended it against notable opponents such as Derek Chisora, Dillian Whyte, and Francis Ngannou.

Fury will have a chance at redemption on December 21, when he faces Usyk in a rematch. This fight offers him the opportunity to reclaim his WBC belt and hand Usyk his first career defeat.

Currently back in training, Fury is determined to make a comeback and rewrite his name in boxing history.