2020 BOXING PREVIEW

The heavyweight division is still bubbling away but we are yet to have an undisputed champion, so will it happen in 2020?

On Feb 22, Wilder & Fury are set for their highly anticipated rematch and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has offered a 50/50 split to the winner to face the current WBA, WBO & IBF champion – Anthony Joshua. However things are not that simple, Joshua has mandatory obligations to fulfil with Kubrat Pulev first and then Oleksandr Usyk – meaning a undisputed showdown isn’t likely this year.

Potential big fights in 2020…

Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol:
A unification at light heavyweight between the two top dogs of the division would create great interest in the boxing world. Beterbiev (15-0, 15 KO’s) had a great year in 2019, unifying the WBC & IBF titles by stopping the undefeated Ukrainian, Gvozdyk in round 10. Bivol on the other hand, had a quieter year by comparison with two mandatory defences. 2020 looks set to be the year we find out who is number 1 in the light heavyweight division.

Saul Alvarez vs Callum Smith or Billy Joe Saunders:
Its still unclear who is next for Canelo. According to Golden Boy Promotions president Eric Gomez, May 2nd is the most likely date, tying in with the Cinco De Mayo holiday. WBA Super middleweight champion Callum Smith and WBO belt holder Billy Joe Saunders are currently the front runners and when we asked the fans who they would like to see Canelo face next – Billy Joe was the clear favourite.

Errol Spence vs Terence Crawford:
Although the welterweight champions have shown their desire to fight on social media recently, opposing promotion companies make the fight difficult to make and we are still unclear as to when Spence is due back in the ring. He made his first tv appearance since the accident saying he is feeling good, doesn’t want a tune up fight and expects to be back in the ring in May or June. If this unification can be made this year between TBUD and Spence, it will go down as one of the biggest welterweight fights ever.

Josh Taylor vs José Ramirez:
After winning the WBSS and picking up the WBA & IBF titles in an epic fight against the talented Regis Prograis, Josh Taylor now has his sights set on becoming the undisputed champion of the 140 pound division. José Ramirez, the man who stands in his way currently holds the WBC & WBO titles and has a mandatory defence in February against Viktor Postol who Taylor has previously beaten. A unification between Taylor and Ramirez will most likely happen in the second half of the year.

Vasyl Lomachenko vs Teófimo López:
According to the promoter of both fighters Bob Arum, “Lomachenko fighting López is done.” Whilst nothing official has been released, reports are suggesting April (worst case May), with a venue yet to be decided and Saudi Arabia looking like a possible destination. This seems like the most likely Super-fight to happen in 2020 and could well be the biggest, with all 4 belts up for grabs in the lightweight division.

Gervonta Davis | Devin Haney | Ryan Garcia:
Three lightweight fighters who are all looking for big fights in 2020 and have been calling each other out in recent months. Ryan Garcia is looking to shock the world this year and wants Haney or Davis but he first has to overcome Francisco Fonseca on February 14, who has only previously been beaten by Tank and Tevin Farmer. Garcia and Haney are both with DAZN which would be an easier fight to make but perhaps the bigger fight right now would be Gervonta vs Haney as they both currently hold titles.

Josh Warrington vs Shakur Stevenson:
A unification bout in May (16th) at Elland Road Stadium is reportedly close according to Warrington’s promoter Frank Warren. WBO featherweight champion Stevenson has been vocal on twitter stating he wants to be paid the right way if he is to travel to England and fight in Warrington’s back yard.

Naoya Inoue vs Nordine Oubaali or John Riel Casimero:
These unification options may not be the biggest fights out there for Inoue right now, but after the Monster beat Nonito Donaire in a Fight of the Year contender, he has made no bones about wanting to become the undisputed champion of the 118 pound division before moving up to 122 pounds. According to promoter Bob Arum, Inoue is recovering from a fractured orbital and is expected to be back in action in April.