The 5 matches that boxing needs 2022
As 2021 draws to a close, it leaves us with plenty of memorable matches. This is a handful of fights that would make 2022 a year to remember even in boxing.
Here’s what DAZN News came up with.
Tyson Fury Vs. Anthony Joshua
Of course, Anthony Joshua must first find a way to avenge his loss against the uniform heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk. And WBC title holder Tyson Fury expressed a desire to stay busy and have a fight in the first quarter of the new year. If both men are successful in each of these respective tasks, a summer or autumn blockbuster between the heavyweights would easily be the biggest fight between two British boxers, and one of the biggest that sweet science has ever seen, period.
Could “Gypsy King” outbox and even quit Joshua? Or would “AJ” find a way to stop Fury and give him his first professional loss? However you look at it, Fury vs. Joshua for undisputed honor in front of 100,000 fans and many more who watch pay-per-view would really be a must-see clip for the ages.
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Terence Crawford
Look, Terence Crawford, who defeated Shawn Porter in November, achieved a two-pronged feat by proving that “Bud” can compete in a grand way and that there is not really a known street to cross between Top Rank and PBC. Crawford, the welterweight WBO title holder, who expresses the ambition to move away from the Top Rank should make it all the easier to force a uniform slope against IBF / WBC champion Errol Spence Jr.
The bigger problem would be to solve what would be a pretentious battle between the two, as each master would try to take advantage of a larger pay day than the other. Crawford-Porter showed that all fights can be done between all advertising suits. Now it’s just a matter of making this fight happen. Its the fights at 147 pounds and needs to be treated so urgently, so we could see it happen in 2022 without risking it disappearing for good.
Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez
David Benavidez has publicly stated that he believes he could pose a real threat to Canelo Alvarez in the ring.
Well, with Canelo chasing another blow to boxing history in the form of trying to fight WBC cruiserweight champion Ilunga Makabu next, Benavidez must be willing to face the undisputed super middleweight king wherever he goes. That means cruiserweight, light heavyweight or staying at 168 pounds if needed, too.
You could imagine that his volume stamping and switch style would translate to 175 pounds or higher. By continuing to win, the undefeated Benavidez can add a foundation to make this fight happen and put Canelo in a position where he can not say no to the young lion. What a fight it would be.
Josh Taylor Vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr.
Not to take anything away from George Kambosos Jr., because he fought a fantastic fight and did what he said he would do by defeating Teofimo Lopez Jr. to become the world’s uniform lightweight champion in a major uprising in 2021. But, you got the impression that if Lopez had used a different strategy or at least not overlooked the robust Australian that he would have kept all his hardware in his possession.
Still, a big setback can be equated with a big comeback if Lopez plays his cards right. Both Lopez and Josh Taylor are Top Rank fighters. The undefeated Taylor will make his first defense of his undisputed super lightweight crown against Jack Catterall in Glasgow on 26 February. Lopez should make it a point to be there and perhaps help push the issue for a mega-fight between him and Taylor next time, as long as Taylor does not suffer an outrage like Lopez did against Kambosos.
The fight would give Lopez an immediate opportunity to prove points in a new division to strengthen his greatness. At the same time, it would give Taylor another formidable enemy to assert its boxing brilliance. A win-win for them … and us.
Katie Taylor Vs. Amanda Serrano
This mega-match has had its fair share of elusive starts and setbacks. But it’s time to make it happen now. There should be no more delays.
Serrano is a world champion in seven divisions whose star power is at its peak thanks to being on Jake Paul’s boxing card. All Katie Taylor has done is continue to win and get another defense of her undisputed lightweight crown in December via a unanimous decision over Firuza Sharipova. Taylor’s boxing ability against Serrano’s talked about power would be the kind of boxing match not to be missed to elevate female boxing and the sport as a whole. And they could headline it in an arena to raise the spotlight.
Honorable mention: Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia.