After the thrill of two epic heavyweight bouts between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, as well as Daniel Dubois knocking out Anthony Joshua and many other classic fights, 2025 has even more action lined up
After the thrill of two epic heavyweight bouts between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, as well as Daniel Dubois knocking out Anthony Joshua and many other classic fights, 2025 has even more action lined up After the thrill of two epic heavyweight bouts between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk, as well as Daniel Dubois knocking out Anthony Joshua and many other classic fights, 2025 has even more action lined up
The year ahead is full of promise with Artur Beterbiev v Dimitri Bivol II lighting a fire under 2025 in February.
Last year marked a step change for our sport with the consolidation of Saudi Arabia as boxing’s dominant player. It is no coincidence that Beterbiev and Bivol reconvene in the kingdom, where they met in an absorbing encounter in October to determine the undisputed light heavyweight crown.
The first match was super close. To change the outcome Bivol has to find a way to hurt Beterbiev, who just walked him down. Bivol was busy and threw volume punches yet could not stall the advance. He is the one who has to offer something different this time.
Riyadh is now heavyweight central, however, there are still some big names yet to cross the Atlantic to the Gulf, namely Saul Canelo Alvarez, Terence Crawford and Gervonta Tank Davis. Canelo is the carrot for everybody. A bout with Crawford has been flagged but the days when fighters would jump weight divisions peaked a century ago.
Crawford is essentially a welterweight. He simply can’t risk jumping 21 pounds from 147 to meet Canelo at super middleweight and hope to carry his power with him. He is reportedly ready to gamble at 164, but Canelo is already squeezed into 168 and would be frying himself to go lower.
It’s all a negotiation and money talks, but I’d amazed if a deal is done. A ready-made match for Canelo would be David Benavidez. That would be a huge fight for the Hispanic community and a big sell in Saudi.
If Crawford, who fought at light middleweight last time out, wanted to jump he could finally agree to meet WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo, who has been on his case for the past 18 months. Davis is scheduled to defend his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach in March despite social media posts to the contrary.
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Davis says he want to retire in 2025, which is code for give me more money and bigger fights. He should give Shakur Stevenson a call then get straight on to the Saudis.
From our point of view 2025 is massive for Adam Azim. He challenges Sergey Lipinets for the vacant IBO super lightweight title next month with big plans to unify the division.
Take your pick from IBF champion Richardson Hitchins, WBC Interim champ Alberto Puello, Aram Faniian, who holds the WBF and WBO Global title, and WBO champion Teofimo Lopez. Azim will step in against any of them. And win.
Follow Barry on X at @ClonesCyclone @mcguigan’s_Gym
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