Because the calendar turns to the primary full week of 2025, we’re on the level the place folks make resolutions or set objectives for the yr forward. Alongside those self same strains, I’ll suggest some fights that I imagine ought to occur within the yr forward. By placing these out on the Web, I’m doing my half to manifest them into actuality.
Be aware: This doesn’t embody fights occurring this yr which might be already scheduled.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KO) vs. Zhilei Zhang (27-2-1, 22 KO) (in China)
Now that Oleksandr Usyk has crushed Tyson Fury twice, Anthony Joshua twice, and by mid-year, maybe Daniel Dubois twice, what ought to he do? Why not go to Macau, China, the place Manny Pacquiao as soon as fought Chris Algeiri and the UFC just lately placed on a pay-per-view to problem Chinese language heavyweight Zhilei Zhang? This could doubtless be a little bit of a neater struggle for Usyk, and for the 41-year-old Zhang, it will be an amazing accomplishment to problem for the heavyweight crown and convey that struggle house to China.
Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KO) vs. Andy Ruiz (35-2-1, 22 KO) III (in Los Angeles)
These two have fought twice earlier than, with Ruiz pulling off the historic upset at Madison Sq. Backyard the primary time earlier than Joshua received his revenge in Saudi Arabia later that yr. To conclude the trilogy, Joshua and Ruiz might face off in Los Angeles to have a Mexican-American fanbase in attendance. Whereas Joshua might, years later, win an enormous struggle in america and redeem himself from when his profession began coming off the rails.
Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KO) vs. Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KO) (in Japan)
Many regard Naoya Inoue, undisputed champion at 122 kilos, as the perfect pound-for-pound fighter within the sport. Junto Nakatani, at the moment a champion at 118 kilos, has additionally held belts in two different weight courses. These two prime pound-for-pound fighters going through off within the Tokyo Dome would have an electrical ambiance and the largest struggle within the historical past of Japanese boxing.
Inoue and Nakatani first should get previous Sam Goodman and David Cuellar, respectively. If that occurs, whether or not Inoue-Nakatani takes place at 118 kilos, 122 kilos, or a catchweight of 120 kilos, it will be an enormous struggle that followers in Japan and worldwide would like to see.
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KO) vs. Anthony Joshua (28-4, 25 KO)
The largest struggle within the historical past of British boxing continues to be obtainable to make. Although it’s potential that one, or each, won’t struggle once more, maybe each could be serious about taking an enormous payday to pummel somebody they doubtless detest in entrance of 90,000 folks at Wembley Stadium.
David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO) vs. Canelo Álvarez (62-2-2, 39 KO)
Given how lengthy Canelo Álvarez has been an enormous title in boxing, public notion of him has shifted a number of occasions. Early on, many noticed Alvarez as a product of excellent matchmaking, shielded from taking harmful fights. Over time, Alvarez accrued so many robust opponents on his resume that the majority acknowledged Canelo because the king and money cow of the game.
Canelo’s final 4 opponents, John Ryder, Jermell Charlo (who got here up two weight courses to problem Alvarez), Jamie Mungia, and Edgar Berlanga, have dissolved many of the goodwill that Canelo had accrued with boxing followers writ giant. David Benavidez moved as much as the sunshine heavyweight division as a result of he was sick of ready for Canelo to struggle him. Possibly if Benavidez appears to be like susceptible towards David Morrell, that may give Canelo the nudge he must make a struggle with Benavidez.
UNIFICATION STATION
Terence Crawford (41-0, 31 KO) vs. Sebastian Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KO)
Junior middleweight is essentially the most jumbled weight class in boxing proper now. Three totally different males are holding every of the 4 154-pound championships, together with Crawford and Fundora. Plus, there are two interim champions and a champion in recess.
In Crawford’s first struggle at 154 kilos, Israel Madrimov confirmed Bud Crawford that dominance at 154 kilos wouldn’t come so simply, because it had within the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions. Weight courses exist for a motive. I’d like to see Crawford towards Fundora, a real junior middleweight with lengthy arms and a troublesome fashion for opponents to determine.
I hope Crawford would take a struggle towards somebody aside from Canelo Álvarez, which appears to be his public stance in the intervening time.
Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KO) vs. Gilberto Ramirez (46-1, 30 KO)
An Opetaia-Ramirez unification struggle would decide the one cruiserweight champion. After defeating Chris Billam-Smith in November, Ramirez stated that he’s open to difficult Opetaia, the Ring Journal and lineal cruiserweight champion.
Ramirez’s one loss got here to Dmitry Bivol within the gentle heavyweight division. To defeat the Australian Opetaia, Ramirez would wish to lean on his professional expertise benefit.
In the meantime, Opetaia faces David Nyika (10-0, 9 KO) this Wednesday in a homecoming struggle on Australia’s Gold Coast. If Opetaia wins, perhaps Ramirez can meet him within the ring afterward to arrange this matchup.
WON’T SOMEONE FIGHT THESE GUYS?
Janibek Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KO) vs. Erislandy Lara (31-3-3, 19 KO)
Janibek Alimkhanuly, the IBF and WBO middleweight champion, is at the moment within the operating for the most-ducked fighter in boxing. Janibek is extremely proficient, however with such low title recognition and a mode that isn’t for everybody, many promoters would like to not put their fighters within the ring towards him.
Erislandy Lara, WBA middleweight champion, is boxing’s oldest champion at 41 years outdated. Lara is on the Mount Rushmore of boxing’s most-ducked fighters of this era. Lara deserves one other large struggle, and taking up one other averted fighter in Janibek could be the cherry on prime of a Corridor of Fame profession.
Janibek Alimkhanuly (16-0, 11 KO) vs. the winner of Hamzah Sheeraz (21-0, 17 KO) vs Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KO) on February 22
One other potential struggle for Janibek could be this one, and he has already recommended he’s serious about going through the victor of Sheeraz vs. Adames. After a struggle within the spring, Janibek would try to choose up the WBC middleweight championship from both Sheeraz or Adames, who may have an thrilling struggle in direction of the tip of February.
Sheeraz is an thrilling younger fighter from the UK who may have his first shot at a world title towards Adames. The 30-year-old Dominican will make his first protection of the WBC title.
Connor Benn (23-0, 14 KO) vs. Mario Barrios (29-2-1, 18 KO)
Connor Benn has fought simply thrice since April 2022 due to the alleged use of a performance-enhancing substance. To make an extremely lengthy story brief, Benn received suspended for failing two voluntary drug exams within the lead-up to a fall 2022 struggle. Benn has had simply two fights since, within the US towards lower-level competitors. This previous November, an unbiased panel overturned his suspension, and each UK Anti-Doping and the British Boxing Board of Management have stated they won’t enchantment the suspension.
Benn has all the time proclaimed his innocence and desires to face top-level fighters. A struggle with the thrilling Mario Barrios, whose thrilling draw with Abel Ramos was one spotlight of boxing’s foray onto Netflix, will get Benn proper again into the deep water and present struggle followers the place his abilities are at.
BUT NOW, WHO’S GONNA DANCE WITH ME?
Following Artur Beterbiev (21-0, 20 KO) vs. Dmitry Bivol (23-1, 12 KO) II on February twenty second:
If Bivol wins: Beterbiev vs. Bivol III
If Beterbiev wins: Artur Beterbiev vs. winner of David Benavidez (29-0, 24 KO) vs. David Morrell (11-0, 9 KO) on February 1.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol may have a rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to headline an unimaginable struggle card on February twenty second. Of their first matchup, Beterbiev’s power-punching bested Bivol’s boxing ability in a controversial choice victory.
If Dmitry Bivol wins the second struggle, the 2 males ought to face off for a 3rd time later this yr to interrupt their tie.
However what occurs if Beterbiev defeats Bivol once more? How about going through the winner of the intriguing Benavidez vs. Morrell struggle? These two are each undefeated fighters, who final yr each moved as much as the light-heavyweight division. They rank #3 and #4 within the division, in accordance with most observers. February 1st’s winner could be in place to have their third bout within the 175-pound division be for the undisputed championship.
Winner of Vergil Ortiz Jr. (22-0, 21 KO) vs. Israil Madrimov (10-1-1, 7 KO) on February 22 vs. Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KO)
Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israel Madrimov is an thrilling struggle that may happen on the huge Riyadh card talked about beforehand. Although he misplaced in his final day out, Madrimov gave Terence Crawford his best struggle in a very long time. Since his professional profession started, Ortiz Jr. has been a rising star. Up to now, he has lived as much as the hype. If he might defeat one of many prime guys at 154 in Madrimov, that may go a protracted method to his confidence and profession prospects.
We final noticed Bakhram Murtazaliev pummeling Tim Tszyu in an enormous upset to win the IBF model of the junior middleweight championship. The query popping out of that struggle was whether or not Tsyzu had a horrible night time or Murtazaliev had a star-making efficiency. By taking up both Madrimov or Ortiz Jr., Bakhram Murtazaliev would go a good distance towards answering that query.
Winner of Denys Berinchyk (19-0, 9 KO) vs. Keyshawn Davis (12-0, 8 KO) on February 14 vs. William Zepeda (32-0, 27 KO)
Berinchyk is the WBO light-weight champion who will face off towards up-and-comer Keyshawn Davis in an thrilling struggle in New York on Valentine’s Day. The 25-year-old Davis might be difficult for his first world title towards Berinchyk, a 36-year-old Ukranian who defeated Emmanuel Navarette final yr to earn the vacant championship.
Zepeda is an thrilling younger fighter who’s the WBC interim light-weight champion. It might be nice to see Zepeda problem for the WBO title towards both a proficient veteran fighter in Berinchyk or a fellow younger gun in Davis.
Winner of Stephen Fulton (22-1, 8 KO) vs. Brandon Figueroa (25-1-1, 19 KO) vs. Angelo Leo (25-1, 12 KO)
Fulton and Figueroa have already fought, with Fulton edging Figueroa out in a barnburner. Figueroa misplaced to Fulton in a controversial majority choice in November 2021. Both Leo vs. Fulton or Leo vs. Figueroa could be attention-grabbing.
Leo, the IBF featherweight champion, suffered his one profession loss in a large unanimous choice loss to Fulton in January 2021. If Fulton defeats Figueroa once more, he ought to get a shot at Leo’s championship in a rematch. Leo might present his development as a fighter since their first assembly. If Figueroa wins, he would have avenged his lone profession loss three years in the past, doubtless incomes himself a title struggle.
THE MATCH (MAKER) GAME
Christian Mbilli (28-0, 23 KO) vs. Diego Pacheco (22-0, 18 KOs)
Some observers view Christian Mbilli as a star within the making, whereas others view him as a product of high quality matchmaking. This struggle could be a step up in competitors for the 23-year-old Pacheco. However along with his novice pedigree and 79-inch attain, Pacheco might give Mbilli an attention-grabbing check. Pacheco stands at 6’ 4”, and Mbilli is 5’ 9”, so stylistically, this might be an intriguing bout.
This struggle was imagined to occur within the spring, with the IBF pairing these two in a title eliminator. However Pacheco will as an alternative face 36-year-old Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KO). That struggle will happen on January twenty fifth in Las Vegas. With a very good exhibiting towards Nelson, maybe Pacheco would face Mbilli later in 2025.
Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KO) vs. Devin Haney (31-0-1, 15 KO)
Every of those fighters is among the many sport’s greatest, might be annoying sometimes, and wishes a marquee opponent. In all seriousness, these two have been circling one another for some time. Haney must get again within the ring after going through Ryan Garcia in April and struggling his first loss, which later grew to become a no-contest after Garcia examined constructive for PEDs.
Teofimo Lopez is a man who all the time fights to the extent of his competitors, whether or not it’s towards a prime title within the sport or an also-ran who’s nowhere close to Lopez’s expertise degree. It might be an enormous struggle between two of essentially the most proficient younger fighters in boxing. The back-and-forth between Lopez’s dad and Haney’s dad within the weeks main as much as the bout could be a bonus.
Gervonta Davis (30-0, 28 KO) vs. Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KO)
I’ve written about this potential struggle earlier than (hyperlink article), however Davis-Stevenson is likely one of the most attention-grabbing fights that might get made within the sport. Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis would every get the hardest exams of their profession. The defensive wizardry of Stevenson towards Davis and his pernicious energy, the kind of struggle boxing followers like to see.
Rafael Espinoza (26-0, 22 KO) vs. Nick Ball (21-0-1, 12 KO)
WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza is coming off consecutive victories over Robeisy Ramirez to place himself on the prime of the featherweight division. Will probably be attention-grabbing to see how he fares towards one other prime featherweight within the division who has a definite fashion than Ramirez.
WBA champion Nick Ball has taken on all comers and is a well-rounded fighter. At 27 years outdated, Nick “The Wrecking” Ball might use a unification struggle towards a fellow featherweight champion to construct his title and, probably, his belt assortment.
Luis Nery (35-2, 27 KO) vs. Marlon Tapales (39-4, 20 KO)
This matchup is between two southpaws who gave Naoya Inoue a more durable struggle than most. Each males are former world champions at bantamweight and super-bantamweight. Nery has not fought since Might, when he suffered a knockout loss to Inoue. Each males are thrilling fighters, and a bout between the 2 could be a struggle that individuals would take pleasure in.
Jake Paul vs. George Foreman
After defeating Mike Tyson, folks have questioned the place Jake Paul ought to go subsequent. He might face off towards an precise boxer within the prime of their profession, however that makes an excessive amount of sense. He might face Connor McGregor in a boxing match, pitting two of essentially the most unbearable folks in fight sports activities in the identical ring.
However what if Jake Paul tries to do one thing nobody has ever tried: defeat each dwelling heavyweight champion? Subsequent week, George Foreman turns 76, but age is however a quantity. Foreman took ten years off at age 28 and returned higher than ever at age 38. He’s the oldest heavyweight champion in historical past, successful the title at 46. If Foreman lands one clear punch, it will be over!
The buildup to this is able to be simple. Have Jake Paul smash a George Foreman grill and name Huge George out. If Jake Paul won’t struggle precise boxers who’re reputable threats to him, he ought to do that. Consider all of the views he would get.
