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Nick Parkinson
Whereas the date and venue for the undisputed world heavyweight conflict between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua have but to be finalized, there are many different large fights already scheduled to mark in your calendars.
Over the approaching months, boxing will appear much more prefer it used to with the return of crowds at venues and greater fights to sit up for than we’ve been accustomed to over the previous yr as a consequence of restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
Listed below are our picks for the highest fights based mostly on their leisure worth. For the needs of this listing, we’re together with solely upcoming bouts reported as being finalized or already introduced by means of the tip of July. Fury-Joshua was not confirmed on the time of writing, however when it’s introduced it will likely be slotted in at No. 1, the most important battle of not solely the following few months, however of all of 2021.
1. Josh Taylor vs. Jose Ramirez for Ramirez’s WBC and WBO titles and Taylor’s WBA and IBF titles
Might 22: Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+)
It is a must-see matchup between two expert stress fighters who each convey two world title belts to the desk. It is acquired the potential to be a battle of the yr candidate and the winner will set up himself as probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighters on the planet. They’ve each proven ruthless ending energy in latest fights and it is a laborious battle to name, which makes it compulsive viewing. Taylor has crushed higher opponents than Ramirez and this alone provides him the sting. However Taylor, from Scotland, must do with out the assist of his followers who can be unable to journey to Vegas as a consequence of coronavirus restrictions.
2. Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders, for Alvarez’s WBC and WBA tremendous middleweight titles and Saunders’ WBO tremendous middleweight title
Might eight: Arlington, Texas (DAZN)
This occasion can be a improbable second for boxing, with no less than 60,000 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. They’ll all be there to see Alvarez, boxing’s greatest star and arguably the most effective on the planet pound-for-pound. No matter your view on Alvarez’s skills, and if his world enchantment is larger than Joshua’s or Fury’s, what’s past doubt is his latest scintillating kind. Saunders, of England, is skilled sufficient to provide Alvarez issues and trigger some drama, however Alvarez is a pleasure to look at in the meanwhile.
three. Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr., for Lopez’s WBO, WBA and IBF light-weight titles
June 5: Miami (Triller PPV)
The coronavirus pandemic has been laborious for lots of boxers who’ve been saved out of motion, however for Lopez it will likely be remembered for the time when the 23-year-old New Yorker pulled off an enormous shock and beat Vasiliy Lomachenko by unanimous choice to develop into the light-weight king. When Lopez makes a primary protection towards George Kambosos Jr., extra can be anticipated of him. Kambosos appeared razor sharp in a split-decision victory over Lee Selby in October, however Lopez ought to nonetheless be a degree above.
four. Katie Taylor vs. Natasha Jonas, for Taylor’s WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA girls’s light-weight titles
Might 1: Manchester, England (DAZN)
It has been 9 years since Taylor and Jonas final confronted one another, however that does not imply this battle is previous its sell-by date. In truth it is from it. Each Taylor and Jonas have been in glorious kind lately and this matchup guarantees to be an entertaining world title battle. Eire’s Taylor beat England’s Jonas on her option to profitable Olympic gold in 2012 and has gone on to win world titles in two weight courses as an expert. Jonas boxed excellently throughout a draw with Terri Harper in her first world title try at junior light-weight in August, whereas Taylor, No. 2 on ESPN’s girls’s pound-for-pound rankings, beat Delfine Persoon in a rematch to develop into the undisputed light-weight champion. Taylor is more likely to be too slick, too quick and too large for Jonas, who can be stepping up a division.
5. Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios, for Barrios’ WBA “common” junior welterweight title
June 26: TBA (Showtime PPV)
Simply which division Davis is greatest suited at stays unanswered for the second. However towards Mario Barrios we are going to get an concept whether or not his energy could make a dent at junior welterweight. Davis, a titleholder at light-weight and junior light-weight, knocked out Leo Santa Cruz to retain his WBA “common” light-weight title and win the WBA junior light-weight world title in October, however is Davis large enough for 140 kilos? Barrios is 5 inches taller, has harmful firepower and is unbeaten. It is a dangerous battle for Davis, who can be attempting to develop into a three-division champion.
6. Devin Haney vs. Jorge Linares, for Haney’s WBC light-weight title
Might 29: Las Vegas (DAZN)
Former world champion Linares is simply the kind of take a look at Haney wants at this level of his profession. Simply how good is the 22-year-old based mostly in Las Vegas? We’ll discover out when he faces 35-year-old Linares, of Venezuela, who has been stopped in his previous two world title fights. It is a nice alternative for the proficient Haney to shine towards a revered former champion. There are large fights within the pipeline for Haney towards the likes of Lopez, Davis and Garcia and he could make an announcement with a formidable victory towards Linares.
7. Dereck Chisora vs. Joseph Parker, heavyweights
Might 1: Manchester, England (DAZN)
Parker, who held the WBO world heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018, has been coaching alongside Fury in England forward of a make-or-break battle towards Chisora, and it will likely be intriguing to see the outcomes of Parker’s work with new coach Andy Lee, the previous middleweight world titlist. Parker, of New Zealand, appeared a bit flat his final day trip in a choice victory towards Junior Fa again in February, and has loads to show towards the veteran Chisora, who is never in a boring battle. The winner will put himself in competition for a title shot in 2021.
eight. Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola, heavyweights
Might 1: Carson, California (Fox PPV)
On the identical night time as Chisora-Parker, there’s one other heavyweight nontitle bout you have to take a look at involving a former champion. Simply how severe is Ruiz about profitable again the title? Nicely, in line with Ruiz, he has misplaced 40 kilos, and he must look fairly good towards Arreola if he’s to regain some momentum and relevance within the heavyweight division. Ruiz, keep in mind, stopped Joshua to win the IBF, WBA and WBO heavyweight world titles in June 2019, however then ballooned in weight and misplaced the rematch by choice in December 2019. He has not fought since. Arreola is 40 and has not fought since August 2019 — however maybe he can be motivated by the possibility to battle the primary boxer of Mexican descent to win a heavyweight world title. Arreola wished to attain that feat however failed to take action in three world title makes an attempt. It is a last likelihood for him to bag some glory towards a former champion.
9. Shakur Stevenson vs. Jeremiah Nakathila, for the vacant WBO interim junior light-weight title
June 12: New York (ESPN/ESPN+)
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Mark Kriegel examines the similarities between WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
If Shakur Stevenson, 23, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist, goes to be taken severely, then he wants to beat Jeremiah Nakathila in fashion. Nakathila will not be one of many world-leading 130-pounders, doesn’t seem within the prime 10 of the opposite three world governing our bodies, and this can be simply his second battle exterior of his native Namibia. Stevenson can be in search of an attention-grabbing stoppage win to edge him nearer to a shot at fellow American Jamel Herring, the WBO champion.
10. Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano, 12 rounds, for Charlo’s IBF, WBC and WBA junior middleweight titles and Castano’s WBO junior middleweight title
July 17: TBA (Showtime)
Fights for all 4 world title belts are speculated to be uncommon, however we may have 4 within the subsequent few months, together with two others on this listing and presumably Fury-Joshua. After three straight knockouts, Charlo can be favored to develop into the undisputed junior middleweight world champion when he faces Brian Castano. Charlo, from Houston, floored Jeison Rosario thrice in a win final September, after knockout wins over Tony Harrison and Jorge Cota in 2019. Two-time champion Castano (17-Zero-1, 12 KOs) unanimously outpointed Brazilian Patrick Teixeira in February to win the WBO belt and must pull off one thing spectacular to derail Charlo.