There might be some huge nights ahead in 2025, with speculation that Terence Crawford could finally land the Canelo Alvarez fight, that Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury will finally get to box at Wembley Stadium, and we also know that several excellent matches are on tap, not least at 175lbs where Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol rematch on February 22 and David Benavidez and David Morrell fight three weeks earlier.
Still, here are some obvious and perhaps less obvious matchups one writer could get on board with seeing in 2025.
Gervonta Davis-Shakur Stevenson
Two of the leading lightweights in the world, there is already plenty of history between them and the contrasting styles would make for a potentially enthralling contest. Sure, it’s another bout where promotional differences make a bout unlikely, but as long as we’re asking…
Naoya Inoue-Junto Nakatani
It’s not only a huge fight in Japan but around the world, although it would involve Nakatani moving up to challenge the brilliant Inoue. Two pound-for-pound talents jostling for superiority at the Tokyo Dome would be an incredible sight, but it seems increasingly unlikely they will figure in one another’s plans in 2025, with Nakatani recently telling BoxingScene the fight could happen further down the road.
Daniel Dubois-Martin Bakole
There are plenty of exciting permutations at heavyweight, and many of them feel within reach courtesy of the involvement of Riyadh Season. And while Dubois and Bakole have other business to first attend to – Dubois meets Joseph Parker on February 22 and Bakole has a date with Efe Ajagba pencilled in – a free-swinging bout between these two could be carnage.
Vasiliy Lomachenko-Gervonta Davis
This might not have been far off in 2024, but Lomachenko took time off after his impressive win over George Kambosos and talks ended up going nowhere. If those discussions could be resuscitated, it’s still a helluva fight.
Jai Opetaia-Zurdo Ramirez
It is not often we head into a new year with a match between two cruiserweights being one of the more appealing matches to make. But after Zurdo Ramirez’s impressive win over Chris Billam-Smith, Jai Opetaia has a very real contender to face for the No. 1 spot. First, of course, the Australian must beat David Nyika on January 8.
Canelo Alvarez-David Benavidez
I know, I know. But I’d still like to see it.
Caleb Plant-Christian Mbilli
Mbilli needs that step-up fight, Plant doesn’t want to be a gatekeeper. This is a fight that could deliver unexpected thrills and spills.
Janibek-Carlos Adames/Hamzah Sheeraz winner
The much-maligned 160lbs division could do with a leading light. In a bid to clear up the chaos, the winner of the Carlos Adames-Hamzah Sheeraz bout on February 22 could be paired with Janibek to at least determine a clear No. 1, although Erislandy Lara would still dispute that.
Terence Crawford-Jaron “Boots” Ennis
Crawford has already made the move to 154lbs, and ‘Boots’ might not be far behind. But to make the match more financially viable, Ennis needs more than a marquee name or two on his record, certainly if he is unable to unify. But the style clash between Crawford and Ennis would sure make for fireworks.
Teofimo Lopez-Jaron “Boots” Ennis
This was floated and in discussions before Christmas, and in some ways would benefit both parties but in other ways could stand to torpedo the grand plans of either Matchroom (Ennis) and Top Rank (Lopez). When it was first mooted, it sounded like it might be too good to be true, which is sadly where it will likely remain filed in 2025.
Keyshawn Davis-Pitbull Cruz
Keyshawn has made it clear he wants Tank, but that is highly unlikely. It is also a huge leap from fighting Gustavo Lemos to Tank, but someone like Pitbull Cruz could also bridge the gap. However, is it a fight that will excite both PBC and Top Rank enough to make it happen? Probably not.
Oscar Collazo-Pedro Taduran
Oscar Collazo left us wanting more at the end of 2024, and it is time to see if the two-belt champion can start adding the silverware from the other champions to his collection. Taduran also had an excellent year and deserves a big fight.
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