Within the September 5 situation of Boxing Information, editor Mark Butcher picked out among the issues we’ve received to sit up for on the tail finish of 2024. Canelo and Dubois have already delivered. Who’s subsequent?
REJOICE! After weeks of relative quiet, a brand new boxing season is lastly upon us. The final tumbleweed of the standard shut season has lastly drifted by and now the actual battles can begin.
These of you who examine our main battle schedule will know there are a selection of serious occasions on the horizon and pulling nearer into view. So, with out additional ado, we are going to now assess these huge nights within the diary because the 12 months appears poised to shut strongly.
September 14 – Canelo Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga, T-Cell Area, Las Vegas
Throughout that bleak Covid-19 period, the place venturing exterior of your entrance door was deemed a felony offence and fights occurred in sterilised bubbles, Canelo Alvarez breathed a lot wanted air into the battle recreation and saved the game going. Outdoors of the behemoths prowling above, Canelo has been the driving drive of boxing in our post-Mayweather world and we should always admire him.
However Berlanga isn’t the Mexican’s strongest choice and this one doesn’t set the pulses racing. A Mexican vs Puerto Rican rivalry typically excites, however this isn’t Salvador Sanchez vs Wilfredo Gomez and even Julio Cesar Chavez vs Hector Camacho. and Berlanga wants to point out us one thing we’ve by no means seen from him earlier than. He’s definitely speaking a great battle, let’s hope he brings it.
Score: C
September 21: Daniel Dubois vs Anthony Joshua, Wembley Stadium, London
If promotional hyperbole is to be believed, approaching 100,000 shall be in attendance for this doubtlessly thrilling shootout between world class heavyweight punchers. Anthony Joshua has carried a golden period of British boxing upon his appreciable shoulders from Olympic Gold onwards and is aiming to turn out to be a three-weight world heavyweight champion.
Bucking the final pattern, IBF title holder Daniel Dubois has fought all-comers early in his profession and is now peaking at simply 26. It is a fascinating crossroads bout on the highest degree, boosted by a stellar Riyadh season undercard and a stay efficiency by Liam Gallagher (who as soon as queued behind me at a Finchley Highway money machine) for followers who missed out on these prized Oasis tickets.
Score: A
October 12: Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol, Kingdom Area, Riyadh
That is in all probability my favorite battle on the calendar. The wrecking balls fists of Beterbiev have damaged the need of all 20 opponents he has confronted so far however the ice cool Bivol may have the ring smarts to diffuse the ever-ticking time bomb. Most individuals I communicate to in boxing appear to favour Beterbiev fairly confidently so I’m within the relative minority backing the composed Bivol.
The smoothest of operators, he fights to the extent of his opposition and may elevate his recreation accordingly. For Beterbiev, at 39, this is likely to be that battle too far (although we’ve stated that for a 12 months or two!). It’s a fireplace vs ice encounter with all of the 175lbs belts on the road and it will likely be fascinating to see how this one performs out. The undercard in Riyadh incorporates a galaxy of stars together with Shakur Stevenson and Jai Opetaia however that Fabio Wardley vs Frazer Clarke rematch appears set to steal the present.
Score: A+
October 26 – Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis, Co-op Dwell, Manchester
It feels an eternity for the reason that artful Catterall upset former Crew GB Olympic captain Thomas Stalker in eight rounds to interrupt on to the scene (it was 10 years in the past in October). His has been a sluggish burn of a profession, however after avenging that disputed loss to Josh Taylor, the Chorley man appears on the point of one other world title shot.
There’s no higher technique to cement that declare than a victory over a high-calibre American and former two-time 140lbs champ Regis Prograis suits that invoice properly. ‘Rougarou’ has one thing to show having been outclassed by Devin Haney final outing, however he brings real credentials and can promote the battle effectively. The winner challenges for a world title, the loser drops again into the chasing pack.
Score: B
November 15 – Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul, AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Like it or detest it, you gained’t be capable to ignore it. This watch-through-your-fingers occasion (free to Netflix subscribers) will do huge numbers because of the curiosity worth and its unprecedented accessibility. One hopes the eight by two-minute spherical professional contest will lean in the direction of an exhibition, with a spot of grappling and showmanship and no severe aftermath.
Tyson’s latest well being scare ought to have proved sufficient of a purple flag to cancel the battle (he’s 58!) however, as all the time, the greenback guidelines all. Jake Paul has his limitations as a fighter, however as a businessman and marketeer he can commerce with anybody. I feel many individuals in boxing in all probability resent that. This will effectively play out as a face-saving, choreographed draw. The improved ranking beneath is because of the excellent Katie Taylor vs Amanda Serrano rematch on the undercard that can, fortunately, remind us of boxing at its finest.
Score C
December 21: Oleksandr Usyk vs Tyson Fury II, Kingdom Area, Riyadh
Again within the Nineties, nice heavyweight fights flowed like fantastic wine. We have been spoiled by the Mike Tyson-Evander Holyfield-Lennox Lewis axis and an intriguing supporting forged together with Riddick Bowe, George Foreman, Michael Moorer, Tommy Morrison, Ray Mercer et al. But, till this Might, there had been no undisputed heavyweight champion for 25 years and too many main fights had stalled in an period of danger evaluation and heightened politics.
Enter Turki Alalshikh and that every one vital Saudi money injection. After years of posturing, Usyk vs Fury lastly occurred, thrilled and shaped an vital chapter of boxing historical past, that includes the momentum shifts that make nice fights on paper, epic in actuality. Barring a mid-fight harm, the contractually agreed rematch can not miss as a spectacle. Virtuoso Usyk is favoured to repeat however, if we have now discovered something about boxing within the final decade, it’s to by no means write off Tyson Fury.
Score A +