Fury and Wilder’s fight for the ages, Usyk outclassing ‘AJ’, Ebanie Bridges fighting through one-eyed – there were plenty of classic boxing bouts in 2021 to linger long in the memory. And whilst some fights are yet to be signed and sealed, there’s already some mouth-watering heavyweight clashes – literally and metaphorically – in store for 2022.
Usyk and Joshua to go at it again: The exact date and location is yet to be confirmed, but what’s at stake for the man once touted to become British boxing’s greatest heavyweight is already abundantly clear.
When Oleksandr Usyk took a unanimous decision over Anthony Joshua in London last September, he didn’t do so through fireworks, but by delivering a masterclass in movement and technical boxing. The deficit was such, that overturning the loss this Spring represents a seismic task for Eddie Hearn’s biggest asset.
Joshua’s career is now at crossroads. Redemption, like he achieved in his rematch with Andy Ruiz, could pave the way for a mouth-watering unification bout with Tyson Fury and give him a shot at becoming king of the heavyweight division.
Defeat, and no man’s land awaits. It won’t just be the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight belts on the line here, it will be Joshua’s future as well.
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Taylor’s date with destiny – Olympic gold medalist, undisputed lightweight champion, and a 20-0-0 professional record. At 35, is there anything left for Katie Taylor to prove? Yes, there is.
When both Taylor and unified featherweight champion Amanda Serrano came through their respective bouts this month, anticipation from boxing pundits, fans, and the two fighters themselves, suddenly went up a notch.
The two icons had originally been due to fight in 2020 before Covid-19 took its grip on the world, but with Puerto Rica star Serrano herself now 33, and a pro record of 42-1-1, surely the time has come again to discover whose the best of the best.
That time it seems, will come in May 2022, with promoter Hearn openly pushing for a bout in Madison Square Garden. The match-up, would merit the venue.
Whyte’s long wait over? – Dillian Whyte has believed for years he merits a shot at Tyson Fury. Next year looks the time ‘The Gypsy King’ allows him one.
Negotiations, albeit seemingly complex ones, are ongoing after Whyte was made mandatory challenger to the WBC crown. For Fury, ‘The Body Snatcher’ represents a stepping stone to a unification bout to Usyk or Joshua – but it’s a clash he can ill-afford to take lightly.
Eubank and Williams start Sky’s year with a bang – As heated rivalries and bad blood goes, this one between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams is currently unrivalled but it has been hit by scheduling problems. After their first bout was postponed they were supposed to be facing each other on January 29.
However, the suspension of British boxing in January due to the pandemic has forced the bout to be rescheduled once more.