Boxing lastly delivered on some large nights in 2023 with Terence Crawford and Errol Spence Jr lastly assembly within the ring, Gervonta Davis and Ryan Garcia placing all of it on the road with Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder sharing a card to see out the yr in type.
Already, issues look promising for 2024 with Saudi Arabia’s involvement within the heavyweight scene guaranteeing Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk will go forward on 17 February to crown the division’s first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis 24 years in the past.
So what does 2024 have in retailer? There isn’t a scarcity of dream bouts. Metro.co.uk considers a number of the fights that merely should occur over the following 12 months… and one we may in all probability stay with out.
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol
With heavyweight unification on the horizon, we’d very very similar to to see light-heavyweight comply with go well with. Dmitry Bivol, the WBA champion, placed on an exhibition throughout 12 rounds to defend the belt in opposition to Lyndon Arthur on ‘Day of Reckoning’ in Saudi Arabia however the largest prize is IBF, WBO and WBC champion Beterbiev.
The undefeated Russian, who nonetheless maintains that horrifying 100 per cent knockout ratio after 19 fights, places his belts on the road in opposition to Callum Smith in January.
Smith can be assured of wrecking these plans with Beterbiev, now 38, displaying some indicators he’s slowing down in opposition to Anthony Yarde final January. After all, he went onto knock out the Londoner that evening. Ought to he cope with Smith in a similar way, all roads will result in Bivol.
Devin Haney vs Gervonta Davis
The 2 new PPV stars of the US loved spectacular 2023s. Davis’ seventh spherical knockout of Ryan Garcia in April served as one of many largest wins for any fighter during the last 12 months.
Haney in the meantime defended his light-weight titles in opposition to Vasiliy Lomachenko, sealing a unanimous choice win over the legendary Ukrainian earlier than doing likewise in opposition to Regis Prograis in December, turning into a two-weight world champion within the course of.
At 25 and 29 respectively, Haney and Davis have a lot extra large nights forward of them and are already on most individuals’s pound-for-pound prime 10. Up to now, their rivalry has been fought out on social media. However a gathering subsequent yr would undoubtedly be the most important combat State-side.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs David Benavidez
For thus lengthy, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez was the pound-for-pound no1 and whereas he could have slipped down that checklist this yr, nights with him main the present stay a number of the largest within the sport.
After his failed crack up at light-heavyweight in opposition to Dmitry Bivol in 2022, Canelo returned to super-middleweight the place he nonetheless reigns as undisputed champion, settling his trilogy in opposition to Gennady Golovkin earlier than easing previous John Ryder and Jermell Charlo this yr.
David Benevidez has been ready a very long time for his shot at Canelo. The 27-year-old scored large wins over Caleb Plant and Demetrius Andrade in 2023 and is now with out query the no2 fighter within the division, behind the person who holds all of the gold.
An all-Mexican conflict between the 2 has been simmering for years and now represents the most important combat at 168lbs after a few tepid defences final yr. Cinco de Mayo weekend, one of the revered dates on the boxing calendar, should certainly beckon.
Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron III
Chantelle Cameron had no doubts over her skill to beat Katie Taylor however the boxing world was nonetheless left reeling after she got here to Dublin and outboxed, outthought and outgunned the light-weight queen on dwelling soil in Might.
Cameron accepted a rematch in November together with her super-lightweight titles once more on the road. This time, Taylor was ready. The 2 shared one other engrossing 10 rounds within the Irish capital with the Bray fighter clinching a majority choice, exhibiting the ability that has made her the perfect round with some added grit in a brutal contest.
It wasn’t with out controversy, with Taylor judged to have slipped within the first spherical of the combat regardless of many followers seeing it as a professional knockdown. Cameron is keen for the third instalment to happen on English soil after two journeys throughout the Irish Sea however one other journey to Dublin – presumably at Croke Park – awaits.
Daniel Dubois vs Joe Joyce II
Since shedding to Joe Joyce in throughout lockdown in November 2020, Daniel Dubois has had his coronary heart questioned. ‘Triple D’ took a knee that evening with their combat waved off within the 10th spherical after having his left eye fractured by Joyce’s ramrod jab.
Dubois was questioned once more in the summertime after he was put down by a jab in his world title showdown with Oleksandr Usyk. However he silenced a lot of these critics along with his victory over Jarrell Miller two days earlier than Christmas, navigating some troublesome rounds to shut out the present with a remaining spherical knockout.
Regardless of the spectacular win, Dubois must wait for an additional world title alternative. Joyce in the meantime started the yr in actual ascendency earlier than struggling two damaging defeats to Zhilei Zhang along with his as soon as impregnable chin lastly displaying indicators of weak point. The 38-year-old will seemingly get a comeback combat underneath his belt to get the yr off and operating however a reunion with Dubois may characterize the most important choice for each males in 2024
Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
We’ve been down this highway earlier than. However please, hear us out at the least. Regardless of the fraught historical past of failed negotiations and unruly calls for during the last three years, there may be nonetheless faint hope.
Fury vs Usyk is about for February with a two-way rematch clause prone to see them meet twice in 2024. Joshua, recent from that wonderful displaying in opposition to Otto Wallin, might be in line to combat Filip Hrgovic ought to the IBF title be vacated after that first undisputed combat as anticipated.
Ought to Fury and Joshua come by what’s forward of them unscathed and unbeaten, requires the Battle of Britain will develop as loud as they’ve ever been. Saudi Arabia has made it their intention to develop into the brand new dwelling of heavyweight boxing and has the deep pockets and ambition to make it a actuality. With Joshua vs Wilder seemingly off the desk for good, there is just one choice remaining.
And one we will keep away from…
Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr
The sorry story of Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr didn’t go away in 2023. In November, it was reported a deal was near being agreed for the grudge match to happen on the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 3 February regardless of opposition from the British Boxing Board of Management.
Talks as soon as once more broke down, nevertheless, with Benn declaring the combat is unlikely to ever occur. The 26-year-old will as a substitute head to Las Vegas to tackle Peter Dobson.
The grudge match between sons of boxing royalty would nonetheless command large consideration on this nation. However at this stage, going their separate methods is unquestionably the most suitable choice for each males.
MORE : Anthony Joshua makes prediction for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk showdown
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