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 traces, I’ll suggest some fights that I consider ought to occur within the yr forward. By placing these out on the Web, I’m doing my half to manifest them into actuality.
Notice: This doesn’t embrace fights taking place 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 might doubtless be a little bit of a better battle for Usyk, and for the 41-year-old Zhang, it might be an incredible accomplishment to problem for the heavyweight crown and produce that battle 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 obtained 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 a giant battle 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 one of the best pound-for-pound fighter within the sport. Junto Nakatani, presently a champion at 118 kilos, has additionally held belts in two different weight courses. These two high pound-for-pound fighters dealing with off within the Tokyo Dome would have an electrical ambiance and the largest battle 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 might be an enormous battle 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 most important battle within the historical past of British boxing remains to be obtainable to make. Although it’s doable that one, or each, is not going to battle once more, maybe each can be focused on taking a giant 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 a giant title in boxing, public notion of him has shifted a number of occasions. Early on, many noticed Alvarez as a product of excellent matchmaking, protected against taking harmful fights. Over time, Alvarez gathered so many powerful opponents on his resume that almost all 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 gathered 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 battle him. Perhaps if Benavidez seems weak towards David Morrell, that might give Canelo the nudge he must make a battle 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 battle 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 purpose. I might like to see Crawford towards Fundora, a real junior middleweight with lengthy arms and a tricky fashion for opponents to determine.
I hope Crawford would take a battle towards somebody apart 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 battle would decide the only 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 mild heavyweight division. To defeat the Australian Opetaia, Ramirez would want to lean on his professional expertise benefit.
In the meantime, Opetaia faces David Nyika (10-0, 9 KO) this Wednesday in a homecoming battle on Australia’s Gold Coast. If Opetaia wins, possibly 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 presently within the operating for the most-ducked fighter in boxing. Janibek is extremely gifted, however with such low title recognition and a method that’s not for everybody, many promoters would favor 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 technology. Lara deserves one other large battle, and taking over one other prevented fighter in Janibek can be the cherry on high 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 battle for Janibek can be this one, and he has already instructed he’s focused on dealing with the victor of Sheeraz vs. Adames. After a battle within the spring, Janibek would try to select up the WBC middleweight championship from both Sheeraz or Adames, who could have an thrilling battle in direction of the tip of February.
Sheeraz is an thrilling younger fighter from the UK who could 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 obtained suspended for failing two voluntary drug assessments within the lead-up to a fall 2022 battle. Benn has had simply two fights since, within the US towards lower-level competitors. This previous November, an impartial 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 at all times proclaimed his innocence and needs to face top-level fighters. A battle 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 battle 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 could have a rematch in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to headline an unbelievable battle card on February twenty second. Of their first matchup, Beterbiev’s power-punching bested Bivol’s boxing talent in a controversial determination victory.
If Dmitry Bivol wins the second battle, 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 dealing with the winner of the intriguing Benavidez vs. Morrell battle? 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 keeping with most observers. February 1st’s winner can 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 battle that can happen on the large Riyadh card talked about beforehand. Although he misplaced in his final day trip, Madrimov gave Terence Crawford his best battle in a very long time. Since his professional profession started, Ortiz Jr. has been a rising star. To this point, he has lived as much as the hype. If he might defeat one of many high guys at 154 in Madrimov, that might go a protracted option 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 battle was whether or not Tsyzu had a horrible evening or Murtazaliev had a star-making efficiency. By taking over 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 battle in New York on Valentine’s Day. The 25-year-old Davis will probably 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 could be nice to see Zepeda problem for the WBO title towards both a gifted 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 determination in November 2021. Both Leo vs. Fulton or Leo vs. Figueroa can be fascinating.
Leo, the IBF featherweight champion, suffered his one profession loss in a large unanimous determination 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 progress 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 battle.
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 battle can be a step up in competitors for the 23-year-old Pacheco. However together with his novice pedigree and 79-inch attain, Pacheco might give Mbilli an fascinating check. Pacheco stands at 6’ 4”, and Mbilli is 5’ 9”, so stylistically, this will probably be an intriguing bout.
This battle was purported to occur within the spring, with the IBF pairing these two in a title eliminator. However Pacheco will as a substitute face 36-year-old Steven Nelson (20-0, 16 KO). That battle 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 finest, may 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 dealing with Ryan Garcia in April and struggling his first loss, which later grew to become a no-contest after Garcia examined optimistic for PEDs.
Teofimo Lopez is a man who at all times fights to the extent of his competitors, whether or not it’s towards a high title within the sport or an also-ran who’s nowhere close to Lopez’s expertise stage. It could be a giant battle between two of essentially the most gifted 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 can be a bonus.
Gervonta Davis (30-0, 28 KO) vs. Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KO)
I’ve written about this potential battle earlier than (hyperlink article), however Davis-Stevenson is among the most fascinating fights that might get made within the sport. Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis would every get the hardest assessments of their profession. The defensive wizardry of Stevenson towards Davis and his pernicious energy, the kind of battle 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 high of the featherweight division. Will probably be fascinating to see how he fares towards one other high 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 battle towards a fellow featherweight champion to construct his title and, doubtlessly, 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 battle than most. Each males are former world champions at bantamweight and super-bantamweight. Nery has not fought since Could, when he suffered a knockout loss to Inoue. Each males are thrilling fighters, and a bout between the 2 can be a battle that individuals would get pleasure from.
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 residing 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 might be over!
The buildup to this might be simple. Have Jake Paul smash a George Foreman grill and name Massive George out. If Jake Paul is not going to battle precise boxers who’re reliable threats to him, he ought to do that. Consider all of the views he would get.
