Is American Mike Hunter the dark horse of the heavyweight division?

Boxing is alive and well all over the world.

All you have to do is look at some current trends to get a sense of how things are moving. In Dallas, Texas, over 47,000 people were present when hometown hero Errol Spence defended his IBF welterweight title inside of the AT&T Stadium vs. Mikey Garcia on FOX pay per view. There are also constantly huge shows with large audiences taking place overseas as well.

And the money that fighters are making is almost at a record high for standard prizefighting, largely in part to the emergence of the DAZN streaming app.

It’s a good time to be a fighter and you can almost throw it back to the old days, as now we are witnessing a new era in the heavyweight division. The division was once ruled tediously by brother Vitali and Wladimir Klitschko, but things have since changed dramatically.

On the forefront are three big names who fans seem split upon as to who to favor. Anthony Joshua is the darling of the UK scene and lays claim to the IBF, WBA, and WBO titles. Deontay Wilder is charismatic as they come and is also the WBC heavyweight champion. And Tyson Fury, who last year completed a remarkable comeback to the sport, is the former lineal champion who has once again thrust his name towards the top of the division.

Fury and Wilder engaged in a memorable fight this past December that ended up as a split-draw. Fury seemed to be the better boxer, but a pair of knockdowns from Wilder evened things up a bit.

But instead of seeing an immediate rematch, or either man facing Joshua next, the heavyweights are moving in different directions. Joshua faces unbeaten American Jarrell Miller on DAZN in his next fight in New York this coming June. Fury signed an exclusive pact with Top Rank and will be fighting in Vegas, also in June, on ESPN or ESPN +. And on May 18, Wilder looks set for a meeting with his rival Dominc Breazeale, possibly on SHOWTIME pay per view.

If all three men continues to fight on different platforms, other suitable opponents will have to emerge. There are plenty of talented heavyweights out there, and when looking at the division, one dark horse comes to mind; former American Olympian Mike Hunter.

Hunter has a 16-1 record with 11 knockouts, but it’s a bit deceiving. For one, his only loss was a tough decision to Oleksandr Usyk, the man who went on to unify the cruiserweight division and claim the World Boxing Super Series trophy as well. Hunter gave Usyk one of his toughest fights and stood tall for 12 rounds.

After that loss, a move to heavyweight followed, where Hunter has put in some great work, reeling off victories over Iago Kiladze, previously unbeaten Martin Bakole Ilunga, and most recently veteran Alexander Ustinov. Hunter is tough, has top amateur experience, as well as great boxing IQ and ability.

There were recent rumors of Hunter possibly facing former champion Alexander Povetkin in his next fight, but nothing official as of yet. But be sure to stay tuned for any news on Hunter, as he is one to watch in the heavyweight class.

Size.

Size is what will keep Hunter below the Top 3. He gives up too much in height, reach, and with the exception of Wilder... weight.

Mike Hunter was impressive against Alexander Ustinov and was glad watching him cause that upset. Yes Hunter was the smaller fighter but he showed good heart and condition to get the win. Whilst he is no Evander Holyfield he did well.

I am sure his dad Michael was bigger physically than his son.

I hope so and look forward to his next fight. He's been a heavy and actually went down for Usyk. Why the inactivity of a year afterwards no clue. Only alphabet soup body that he is ranked in is the IBF at #10 right behind one Tom Swartz :p. Hunter is pretty cagey and can fight smart. At a solid 215'ish I'd love to see him get an opportunity and rule nothing save for holding ground with the premier punchers. Putting the weight on is one thing but wearing and learning the weight v decent hvys is another. Turns 31 in few months he needs to get on it.

Hunter is going to make some great fights!

Usyk make heavy fear

He have big strong chest.

Beatin like boy. Why top hide

Join little girl at bottom, not like Ukraine men.

Cool! I might type like this from now on. I still Hunter's too small.

Was too small when fight Usyk? Takam take fight. Usyk is coming for top guy

usyk heart too big for all men. He beat tall boys since baby. Next he fight gorilla with teeth. He eat grizzly bears not plants, ape get broken too.

Takam no gorilla teeth. Cauz black? aha aha aha. Should no eat meat

Bakole smash Poland china. Hunter record good more

What in the fuck is happening here?!?!

Explain me you want? I help if can

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Originally Posted by ykdadamaja

What in the fuck is happening here?!?!

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Poster new, funny trying to be.

I try type rite. English not my. Only start learn recent. Sorry no good. I type Japanese? 正しく入力しようとしています。私� �つい最近英語を学び始めました。す� ��ません、それは良くありません

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Originally Posted by Baal

I try type rite. English not my. Only start learn recent. Sorry no good. I type Japanese? 正しく入力しようとしています。私� �つい最近英語を学び始めました。す� ��ません、それは良くありません

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Looks like we have a new poster. Welcome Baal, good to see new blood. New people is good

Kon'nichiwa Walrus. Arigatōgozaimashita - thank you. Hi to every

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Originally Posted by Baal

Kon'nichiwa Walrus. Arigatōgozaimashita - thank you. Hi to every

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@Baal no problem my friend. I saw my buddy beanz accused you of being someone else. Don’t worry he thought I was some guy bilbo when I joined. You seem very knowledgeable about boxing. I like to hear new viewpoints, just be careful the mods here are very heavy handed and ban people like crazy. Stick to the boxing section and if you want to talk about other stuff go to the off topic section.

Thank advice. Master not like for me? I try. I like box. He no like Japan? I can visit for fight? We settle like man? Where I find? He accept?

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Originally Posted by Baal

Thank advice. Master not like for me? I try. I like box. He no like Japan? I can visit for fight? We settle like man? Where I find? He accept?

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Welcome in Baal. Don't pay attention to the girly gossip fiends who don't have much else to do with their time. Many different walks of life here, all like box too. You do what you do and enjoy your time. Cheers

Arigatōgozaimashita Spicoli. I no like girly mens. Trouble I try not make. We all love box or not be here. Chairs

Baal by KO in 1.

We no fight. Unfair. I break he like glass. He no like may be race? Better we friends. Talk box an laugh

Arigatōgozaimashita @p4pking for likes many. How I do? Just click? I try

It work. I learn aha

Sorry but it seems out new member Baal is being mocked here a bit. A certain member here ran off slimtrae. I hope all this teasing would stop. Let’s try to work with @Baal... so ballsy who is your favorite Japanese boxer.

It fine Walrus. You good care. I know my speak no good yet. I still learn. Get better. Like when train. Get skill. I hope try The Strongest in future if can honor class A license

Super is 井上尚弥 Naoya Inoue KAIBUTSU

Masahiko Harada best of time

Lmao the OP calls Fury the "former" lineal champion

Funniest misspelling of "current" that I've ever seen.

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Originally Posted by Baal

It fine Walrus. You good care. I know my speak no good yet. I still learn. Get better. Like when train. Get skill. I hope try The Strongest in future if can honor class A license

Super is 井上尚弥 Naoya Inoue KAIBUTSU

Masahiko Harada best of time

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Good pick. Inoue is monster. He smash everybody.

Learning new language is hard. I dropped out of Spanish class on second day. Keep working at it! Welcome to the forum.

Arigatōgozaimashita for welcome forum

Japan an world many top boxer. Many choice. Kaibutsu amaze. My top. So super

Fight next Rodriguez top near. Very speed hand. Trouble no much power. Kaibutsu Inoue break

Yeh, that's gonna be a tough fight, Baal. I'm hoping Rodriguez doesn't go the route of Payano... ;D

But hopefully it'll be a much better fight, 'cause Rodriguez is no slouch himself.

This is good, looks like he has a big contract now and will be on the Usyk v Takam undercard. Wonder if they're possibly thinking of a rematch???. Hope not.

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Originally Posted by Spicoli

This is good, looks like he has a big contract now and will be on the Usyk v Takam undercard. Wonder if they're possibly thinking of a rematch???. Hope not.

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No reason for a rematch unless both prove to be legit contenders at HW.

Usyk knock cold if again. Hunter need take other path. If future meet with belt it fine

Baal reminds me... ;D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haGlfjjnAQQ

Usyk was probably distracted by the interviewer's impressive rack credentials. Surprised he didn't drool while saying that.

Very good counter puncher. Small guy but so was David Haye. I want to wait and see. BTW Tyson Fury is still the Champ.