1. Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua
Who’d have thought that sportswashing would’ve been the answer to every boxing fan’s prayers? #ThankAlalshikh
With Fury-Usyk at last signed, and Joshua-Ngannou too (for the real lineal world title, don’t forget), Saudi Arabian money might be the key to making Fury-Joshua down the line, whether Fury wins or loses a possible two fight series with Usyk. Between Fury’s apparent decline and Joshua to some degree now marrying his predilection to box more with a spiteful edge, the fight is more interesting than it’s been in years.
2. Anthony Joshua-Filip Hrgovic
More likely first is a Joshua-Hrgovic fight for one of the heavyweight belts that will probably become vacant after February 17th.
It would be the biggest test so far of where the post-Usyk AJ stands and whether or not the inconsistent Hrgovic left his best days in the amateur code.
3. Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol
This is another fight that has been talked about for years but never realistically looked likely due to a combination of promotional/TV differences, neither man being a draw and simply not enough $$ being available to satisfy financial demands. Enter, Saudi Arabia…
With Beterbiev nearing 40 it’s now or never, and the fight is likely next if Beterbiev gets past Callum Smith next week. Reportedly, Bivol has already signed for the bout. I make the younger man a solid favourite and it’s as top notch a fight as can be made in 2024.
4. Canelo Alvarez-David Benavidez
In the words of Dan Rafael, if Canelo Alvarez is the undisputed champion at 168lbs., then David Benavidez is the undisputed number one contender.
While David Morrell could be as good as anybody in the division, and something like Canelo-Jaime Munguia would be fun as well, there’s no excuse for this fight not to happen sometime in 2024, especially with both men for now under the same PBC banner. Benavidez looked quite spectacular smashing up Demetrius Andrade and he’s the toughest fight on paper for Canelo (minus Bivol at light heavyweight) since his fights with Golovkin.
5. Canelo Alvarez-Terence Crawford
Could this really happen? We’ve seen some left field opponents for Canelo over the years, think Amir Khan and even Jermell Charlo.
Crawford likely has just a few fights left in his career and will be looking to maximise his paydays. This would require a massive weight jump of the best part of three weight classes and Bud has expressed interest. I think it’s a realistic possibility and is the type of unusual super fight that gets my juices flowing.
6. Chris Eubank Jr.-Conor Benn
As I’ve written here before, a fight doesn’t have to mean anything to mean something.
The negotiations and endless back and forth have become tiresome. Neither man is currently a serious factor at world level. The BBBofC/Benn saga and his failed drug tests will always leave a sour taste. All of that said, it’s a huge fight in Britain and likely an exciting one once the bell rings. Let’s get it on in 2024.
7. Katie Taylor-Chantelle Cameron III
Taylor’s stirring revenge win over Cameron goes down as one of the top performances of 2023, and equal credit goes to Cameron for proving herself at elite level herself with victory in their first meeting.
With Croke Park (or more likely another Irish stadium) the only logical (final?) chapter of Taylor’s career yet to come, the fight that makes by far the most sense is a rubber match between these two.
Taylor vacating a couple of her lightweight titles in recent days also suggests this is the next fight. I hope to be there in person to experience it.
8. Any combination of Teofimo Lopez/Devin Haney/Ryan Garcia/Gervonta Davis/Shakur Stevenson
There’s no need to be picky here. Any way you mix and match these five is sure to be mouthwatering. Davis-Garcia in 2023 was just a taste of what could be. There are the usual impediments in terms of differing weight classes and promotional ties, but Haney-Garcia is currently in negotiations at least.
I’m most curious to see what sort of opposition Tank Davis fights this year off a significant layoff.
9. Shakur Stevenson-Vasyl Lomachenko
One fight that is probably more likely to be made than any of the above is Stevenson-Lomachenko. It would be a lightweight title unification provided Loma comes through George Kambosos.
Loma deserves another shot at the top level after being unlucky not to get the nod versus Devin Haney, and beating Loma decisively would erase the toxic fart that was Stevenson-Edwin De Los Santos.
10. Emanuel Navarrete-O’Shaquie Foster
Both men engaged in fight of the year level wars in 2023 and Foster has now signed a deal with Top Rank. This paves the way for unification this year and it’s a bout that can only be the perfect combination for boxing fans: action plus significance.
11. Luis Alberto Lopez/Rafael Espinoza-Naoya Inoue
After quickly conquering all to become undisputed champion at 122lbs., it’s unclear how long it will be before Inoue pushes himself and his body once more to try his hand at featherweight.
Waiting for him there could be two action fights in Lopez and newly minted titlist Espinoza. Either option towards the back end of the year would be one to savour.
12. Juan Francisco Estrada-Jesse Rodriguez/Kazuto Ioka
Two options here for the super flyweight division that keeps on giving. Bam Rodriguez is likely to move back up to 115lbs. next and the logical fight for him to chase is a clash of the generations with veteran legend (and still lineal champion), Estrada.
Estrada-Ioka in a fight between future hall of famers was unsuccessfully negotiated for last month but it would be a damn shame if it didn’t happen someday.
13. Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle
Two of the best female boxers in the sport share all the gold at strawweight and a unification is a must to happen sooner than later. Valle has said she wants it in a Costa Rican stadium outdoors and what an occasion that would be. Pura Vida!
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