2016 is ending the year with a bang in boxing with big fights now made for the month of November, as well as some looking like they well get announced in December too. This momentum looks set to carry on into 2017 in a big way.
Here’s five boxing matches in 2017 that fight fans would love to see get made:
Saul Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin
The biggest fight in boxing that can be made, with everyone talking about it in 2016.
Saul Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1 34KOs) is the WBO light-middleweight champion and one of the biggest PPV stars in boxing today. Canelo has more experience than most, having had 50 pro fights by the age of only 26.
Alvarez also has great speed and boxing intelligence – personified by tremendous punching power.
Gennady Golovkin (36-0 33KOs) currently holds the unified WBA/WBC/IBF/IBO middleweight titles. Golovkin is considered highly in the pound for pound rankings today in boxing and is known to have the most feared punching power in the sport today.
If this fight could be made in 2017, it would be great for boxing as a whole and most importantly for the fans. One problem is what weight the fight would be at however.
Canelo vs Golovkin is a 50/50 fight representing the best fighting the best. The public deserves to see this fight in 2017.
Keith Thurman vs Errol Spence Jr
The future of American boxing pay per view could collide in this one.
Keith Thurman (27-0-1 22KOs) is the current WBA welterweight champion. Also known as ‘One Time’, the American is renowned for being a knockout artist and is most certainly one of hardest punchers in the welterweight division.
Errol Spence Jr (21-0 18KOs) is considered by many boxing fans as the future of boxing. One of the greatest prospects to come out of America for many, many years.
Spence Jr is Kell Brook’s mandatory for the IBF title at present, but Brook is considering moving up in weight meaning that Spence appears on the verge of becoming a world champion – likely against another opponent for the vacated title.
A unification fight between two of the most talented fighters in the division could definitely be made next year.
Anthony Crolla vs Terry Flanagan
A fight between two elite level 135lbs fighters and a match up for the pride of Manchester in the UK.
Anthony Crolla (31-5-3 13KOs) is the former WBA lightweight champion. Crolla has arguably the biggest boxing fan base in Manchester at this time. He fights for promoter Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom stable.
Terry Flanagan (31-0 12KOs) os the reigning WBO lightweight champion but he fights for rival promoter to Eddie Hearn, Frank Warren’s stable, which may cause difficulties in negotiating the fight.
Crolla recently lost his WBA title against Jorge Linares. If Crolla had won, then this would have set up the Flanagan world title unification fight nicely.
But I still think the fight still should happen in spite of that recent loss.
Two great British lightweight fighters, both from Manchester, both with huge fan followings. It is an easy sell really.
I’m sure discussions between Warren and Eddie Hearn will undoubtedly be very hard to negotiate, but the British public deserve to see this fight.
Anthony Joshua vs Luis Ortiz
Power merchant vs power merchant in many ways. One that would no doubt result in heavyweight fireworks.
Anthony Joshua (17-0 17KOs) is IBF heavyweight champion and a 2012 Olympic gold medallist. Many see him as the future of the heavyweight division.
Luis Ortiz (25-0-2 22KOs) is the WBA interim heavyweight champion. Nicknamed ‘King Kong’, Ortiz has a reputation in the division for his punching power but also his counter punching ability.
Joshua will fight one more time in 2016, probably against Wladimir Klitschko for Tyson Fury’s recently vacated titles.
Ortiz is one of the most avoided fighters in boxing today. A match-up between Joshua and Ortiz would be dynamite, two of the best heavyweights in the world going head to head.
Ortiz recently signed for Matchroom so this fight in theory shouldn’t be that difficult to make.
Floyd Mayweather Jr vs TBA
Pursuing a record breaking 50-0 record will surely be too hard to avoid for Floyd Mayweather in 2017.
Floyd Mayweather Jr (49-0 26KOs) for those unaware of the renowned American boxer, is five-division world champion and considered to be one of the greatest boxers of all time.
I put in ‘TBA’ above however because if Floyd decided to make a comeback to take his record to 50-0, we don’t know who he would fight.
Here’s some possible options:
Manny Pacquiao (rematch)
Danny Garcia
Saul Alvarez (rematch)
Gennady Golovkin
Keith Thurman
Errol Spence Jr
It may not be any of these fighters in theory though, as Floyd could pick anyone he wants to.
Whoever Mayweather fights it will sell regardless. People will still tune in to see him achieve the 50-0 landmark or else lose his first ever pro fight. Whether you love or hate him, Mayweather’s great defence and boxing skills in the ring cannot be denied.
Hopefully some of these above fights, if not all can be made in 2017. All five are good for the fans, the fighters and boxing its self. Let’s see the best fight the best in 2017.
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