Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and David Haye will look back on this year with mixed emotions
Sunday 25 December 2016 07:16, UK
Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and David Haye will look back on 2016 with mixed emotions as we review an eventful year in the heavyweight division.
Joshua was crowned as the IBF heavyweight champion, while Haye kicked off his comeback, but Fury will be keen to put the past 12 months behind him...
January
Deontay Wilder started the year with a bang as he defended his WBC belt with an explosive knockout win over Artur Szpilka, then engaged in some heated trash talk with Tyson Fury.
Security staff struggled to restrain the rampant Fury, who climbed into the ring to issue a typically brash challenge to Wilder, although a unification clash would not materialise in the coming months.
On the undercard, Charles Martin began his brief reign as IBF champion after Vyacheslav Glazkov suffered a fight-ending knee injury.
Earlier that evening, Haye had ended his lengthy absence from the sport with a crushing knockout victory against the over-matched Mark de Mori.
February
Fury gave early indications that he needed a break from boxing, suggesting that he could retire before a planned rematch against Wladimir Klitschko.
I've done what I wanted to do in my life - become the heavyweight champion of the world.
The WBO and WBA champion had been stripped of his IBF belt before he had the chance to defend it and was looking towards the end of his career, just a few months after defeating Klitschko on points in Germany.
March
Joshua was confirmed as the first challenger for IBF champion Martin and would receive home advantage, with his first world title fight being staged at The O2 in April.
Cuban danger man Luis Ortiz sent out a warning to his rivals by flooring Tony Thompson three times in a knockout win.
Lucas Browne secured the WBA 'regular' belt after a dramatic knockout win over Ruslan Chagaev, but his joy was shortlived as the Australian tested positive for a banned substance in a post-fight drug test.
April
Joshua's fast-moving career hit new heights when he lifted the IBF heavyweight title after demolishing Martin inside two rounds.
The Olympic gold medallist had enjoyed swift success in the professional ranks, requiring just 16 fights to become a world champion, and soon announced that his first defence would be against Dominic Breazeale in June.
Hughie Fury's progress has been disrupted by health problems and he would extend his unbeaten record to 20 wins, despite suffering a nasty cut against Fred Kassi.
May
A number of contenders would return to action during these frantic four weeks, with Haye, David Price and Joseph Parker picking up wins, but Dereck Chisora would suffer a setback.
In another one-sided fight, Haye would make short work of Arnold Gjergjaj, and then became involved in a lively exchange with Shannon Briggs, who had completed a routine victory on the undercard.
Price returned after a 10-month absence with a swift victory, but fellow Brit Chisora endured a split decision defeat in a European title fight against Kubrat Pulev.
More potential opponents were lining up for IBF champion Joshua, with Parker heading the queue after winning a final eliminator against Carlos Takam.
But Wilder's planned WBC title defence with Alexander Povetkin was called off, just a week beforehand, after the Russian failed a pre-fight drug test.
June
Joshua marked the first defence of his IBF title with a dominant stoppage win over Breazeale, who was steadily broken down before being stopped in the seventh round at The O2.
On the same bill, bitter rival Dillian Whyte made his comeback from shoulder surgery by stopping Ivica Bacurin.
But Fury's long-awaited rematch with Klitschko was called off after the champion suffered an ankle injury.
July
Wilder switched his sights to a fight against Chris Arreola and his career would be put on ice again after he suffered a broken hand and a torn bicep in an eighth round stoppage victory.
Back in Britain, Whyte engaged in a lively war of words with David Allen, but the Brixton man was unable to shift 'The White Rhino' and had to settle for a wide points win.
August
Price staked his claim for a British battle with Joshua after revealing that he had 'knocked out' the world champion in sparring a few years ago.
Jarrell 'Big Baby' Miller had been proclaiming himself as America's next heavyweight hope and the outspoken New Yorker continued to rise the rankings after halting Kassi in three rounds.
September
Fury's future was plunged into doubt when the Klitschko rematch was called off for a second and final time after the troubled 28-year-old was declared 'medically unfit.'
It later emerged that Fury had failed a drug test and the British Boxing Board of Control suspended his boxing licence.
Klitschko and Joshua swiftly entered talks over an alternative fight, but a proposed world title unification clash would eventually be put back until 2017.
October
Whyte maintained his busy schedule and would collect the British heavyweight title after pounding the brave Ian Lewison to a halt.
Parker was another potential opponent for Joshua and he came through a risky fight against Alexander Dimitrenko, chopping down the towering Russian in the third round.
November
Eric Molina was named as the next challenger for Joshua and a British grudge fight between Whyte and Chisora was included on the Manchester undercard.
Ortiz endured a frustrating night against Malik Scott, who barely showed any attacking ambition during a forgettable points win for 'King Kong.'
December
Joshua defended his IBF title with a dominant third round win over Molina, which paved the way for a Wembley fight against Klitschko on April 29, live on Sky Sports Box Office, with the WBA 'super' belt also at stake.
After a bad-tempered build-up, Whyte's grudge fight with Chisora did not disappoint as they shared an exciting battle before 'The Body Snatcher' received a split decision victory.
There would be another new champion in the division before the turn of the year, with Parker lifting the WBO title following a hard fought points win over Andy Ruiz Jr.
Earlier in the month, Haye announced that his eagerly anticipated next fight would be a domestic clash against Tony Bellew on March 4, also on Sky Sports Box Office.
