Tyson Fury (35-2-1) has been controversially elevated to the WBC’s number one heavyweight ranking despite a recent run that includes two losses to Oleksandr Usyk, a retirement, and a return fight against an unranked opponent in Arslanbek Makhmudov.
The move places him above a string of other contenders including Lawrence Okolie, Moses Itauma, and Anthony Joshua, raising immediate questions about the integrity of the sanctioning bodies. Critics argue that any other fighter carrying the same 1-2 record over their last three bouts, combined with signs of physical decline, would not have been rewarded with such a ranking. The decision suggests the WBC may be prioritising Fury’s box office appeal and marquee name over his recent form, treating him more as a commercial attraction than a fighter who has genuinely earned the position on merit.
Current Rankings
1 Tyson Fury
2 Lawrence Okolie
3 Moses Itauma
4 Anthony Joshua
5 Filip Hrgovic
6 Deontay Wilder
7 Efe Ajagba
8 Martin Bakole
9 Richard Torrez Jr.
10 Richard Riakporhe
11 Andrii Novytskyi
12 Frank Sanchez
13 Bakhodir Jalolov
14 Guido Vianello
15 Labinot Xhoxhaj