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I don't think Cruiserweight will ever happen, and if it did, he'd be far too small for it and making a mistake. Only way he can get in the weight range for cruiser-weight is steroids, unless he starts bulking now for a year or two (which wouldn't happen) and gets fat.
Right now the belt holders are:
Usyk
Mairis Briedis
Murat Gassiev
Denis Lebedev
Lebedev is the weakest out of the bunch, also old, while Gassiev the youngest (didn't realize he was 23, wow). Maybe he could beat Lebedev, but the other three have a significant size and power advantage. No way do I see him getting in a ring with those other three. No guarantee he gets a Lebedev fight before the others/some other prospect does.
So what does that leave Ward? Well, either he stays and fights one or two more fights at 175, or he retires. I don't really expect him to boxing too much longer. If Joe Smith Jr beats Barrera, I can see Ward going for him, although Ward would comfortably outbox him. Same thing for Alvarez.
Stevenson is probably the last obvious choice, as dangerous of a puncher Stevenson is, he's also old and hasn't fought anyone worthwhile in a while.
Beterbiev and Gvozdyk are not worth the risk right now, and don't bring the big $ Ward would be looking for. These two might be the biggest challenges left in the division, but Beterbiev is still technically a prospect, while Gvozdyk needs to build his name up more for the fight.
Right now the belt holders are:
Usyk
Mairis Briedis
Murat Gassiev
Denis Lebedev
Lebedev is the weakest out of the bunch, also old, while Gassiev the youngest (didn't realize he was 23, wow). Maybe he could beat Lebedev, but the other three have a significant size and power advantage. No way do I see him getting in a ring with those other three. No guarantee he gets a Lebedev fight before the others/some other prospect does.
So what does that leave Ward? Well, either he stays and fights one or two more fights at 175, or he retires. I don't really expect him to boxing too much longer. If Joe Smith Jr beats Barrera, I can see Ward going for him, although Ward would comfortably outbox him. Same thing for Alvarez.
Stevenson is probably the last obvious choice, as dangerous of a puncher Stevenson is, he's also old and hasn't fought anyone worthwhile in a while.
Beterbiev and Gvozdyk are not worth the risk right now, and don't bring the big $ Ward would be looking for. These two might be the biggest challenges left in the division, but Beterbiev is still technically a prospect, while Gvozdyk needs to build his name up more for the fight.