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5 Top Proposed Fights When Boxing Returns
By Glen James Apr 20, 2020 OpinionThe pandemic has caused boxing to come to a standstill but there are many big fights on the horizon once normality resumes.It’s a frustrating time for fighters right now with boxing having come to a complete standstill due to the ongoing global pandemic.
Their livelihoods are on hold and there seems to be no end in sight to the sport’s present suspension.
Fans are also feeling the effects, with a lack of new action leaving a gaping hole in their lives each passing week.
But, while it could be some time before bouts get back underway on the fight calendar, there are plenty of great match-ups to look forward once they do.
Here are some of those most promising fights that should come to fruition when the world eventually gets back to normality following such turbulent times.
Daniel Dubois v Joe Joyce
A highly intriguing battle between heavyweight prospects got fans excited when Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce were pencilled in to collide on July 11th.
The two undefeated Londoners have continued to build their reputations in the paid ranks in recent months and both have sights set on world honours down the line.
British, Commonwealth and European titles were set to be on the line in this fascinating clash at the O2 Arena but it’s unclear when the fight will actually take place now.
It’s 22-year-old Dubois that is regarded as the favourite and odds-on 8/13* front runner with Bet Victor for another big knockout victory when they do finally trade leather.
Joyce, a former Olympic Silver medallist in 2016, is an 11/4* outsider with Bet365 to prevail in a much anticipated heavyweight showdown between two fighters touted for the top.
Oleksandr Usyk v Dereck Chisora
The heavyweight venture of Oleksandr Usyk has been continuously hindered by several roadblocks since he announced his ambitions of moving on from cruiserweight.
Ukraine’s gifted former Olympic Gold medal winner dominated at the 200lbs limit division; beating an abundance of top class opponents on his way to becoming undisputed champion there.
The inaugural World Boxing Super Series victor made his heavyweight debut as a professional last year when comfortably stopping stand-in foe Chazz Witherspoon and Dereck Chisora was his next scheduled challenger in London.
That latest appearance on English soil for Usyk has been postponed indefinitely from the initial May 23rd date. This follows a trend of unfortunate setbacks at heavyweight already, including opponent withdrawals and injuries.
It’s another blow to the pound-for-pound great hoping to contest one of the leading names and champions in the division as soon as possible, with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua very much on his list of targets.
Vasyl Lomachenko v Teofimo Lopez
From one masterful Ukrainian to another. Vasyl Lomachenko is arguably the leading ring talent on the planet today and his latest challenger was set to be growing star Teofimo Lopez.
The latter Honduran-American got his hands on the IBF lightweight title last December, capping off a quick-fire rise to prominence with a brutal second-round KO of Richard Commey at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.
Lomachenko currently holds the WBA and WBO straps at 135lbs and this awaited unification scrap was headed for May 30th before the pandemic outbreak.
Having went beyond his more suited weight in pursuit of further success and more prosperous names, ‘Loma’ is on the verge of clinching all the lightweight marbles with a couple more impressive wins.
It’s Lopez that will likely be in the opposite corner next, while another young gun and WBC title holder Devin Haney is also a hopeful dancing partner when boxing recommences.
Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v Gennadiy Golovkin III
One of the best modern day rivalries is reportedly on course to be renewed once proceedings have returned to normal.
After two high-class and controversial clashes between Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin a trilogy always looked inevitable and that could still happen at some stage.
It looked like Callum Smith or Billy Joe Saunders were on the verge of sealing the biggest payday in boxing with a ‘Canelo’ meeting but talks stalled and ultimately ended due to the pandemic.
Despite ‘GGG’ nearing the end of his career it’s likely he would step it up in a final showdown with his long-standing nemesis in a bid to earn what he feels he has twice been robbed of; an official win over the Mexican.
The Kazakh puncher is 5/2* with Paddy Power to finally achieve that feat at 38 years of age in a potential 2020 blockbuster. Meanwhile, ‘Canelo’ is seen as the odds-on 2/7* favourite to settle their rivalry with another success.
Jamel Herring v Carl Frampton
Belfast hero Carl Frampton has had a historic target on his mind for some time now, as the Tiger’s Bay-native looks to become Ireland’s first-ever three-division world champion.
American southpaw Jamel Herring is eyed up as the potential opponent, as he currently holds the WBO super-featherweight crown.
Terms had reportedly been agreed for this bout to take place in the summer on June 13th before the pandemic forced a halt and left both men in limbo.
The defending title holder is regarded as an odds-on 4/5* favourite from Coral in this intriguing pairing, while the challenger is 5/4* with Betfair to secure a massive victory in a tough match-up.
Already considered one of the greatest combatants ever from the Emerald Isle, beating Herring to reign as a three-weight world champion would seal Frampton’s legacy as a true Irish great.
*odds correct at time of writing
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