FIGHTS THE FANS WANT AFTER COVID-19

With uncertain times ahead and no clear indication of when boxing is likely to resume, we asked the fans which fights they would most like to see when COVID-19 is behind us.

Dozens of cards scheduled to take place around the world (big & small), have been postponed or cancelled over the past couple of weeks due to the coronavirus pandemic. Currently in Britain, all boxing events are suspended until the end of May, likewise in the state of California, so it is likely boxing will be facing at least a couple of months with no fights.

Sky Sports boxing chief Adam Smith believes the Joshua Pulev heavyweight title clash due to take place in June will be cancelled and is more likely to be staged at the end of the summer. In addition, DAZN have reported the Wilder Fury Trilogy on July 18 will be pushed back to the fall, possibly October. Promoter Eddie Hearn recognises the momentum has been slowed down due to the Coronavirus and says when boxing comes back, promoters need to make sure they’re putting on the best possible fights to remind the fans how good the sport it.

With that in mind, fans around the globe told us which fights they want to see most when boxing resumes…

In at 3…

Lomachenko vs Gervonta Davis:

The lightweight division is one of the hottest right now – Lomachenko, Gervonta Davis, Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Luke Campbell are all in the mix. Perhaps the two biggest names not just in the division but in the sport right now are Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis. A fight between these two has been talked about for some time and is seen by many as a perfect match-up of styles. Lomachenko, the current WBO & WBA Super champion has a unification fight lined up with fan favourite Teofimo Lopez who hold the IBF world title. Tank Davis on the other hand, holder of the regular WBA world title is in play for an all PBC summer showdown against Leo Santa Cruz. A future match up between Loma and Tank would be one of the biggest fights ever at 130 pounds!

In at 2…

Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury:

Its been over 20 years since boxing had an undisputed heavyweight champion in Lennox Lewis and its nothing more than what the fans deserve. Now that all the belts are in the U.K., it’s a fight that seems so close but yet so far. If Fury and Joshua both win their next fights against Wilder and Pulev respectively, it could potentially set up an end of year undisputed clash. However there are some additional obstacles to overcome. Firstly, Oleksandr Usyk is the next mandatory inline for Joshua’s WBO title and Usyk’s manager Egis Klimas told Sky Sports, they are determined to face Joshua for the title after they have dealt with Dereck Chisora. Britain’s Dillian Whyte is also waiting in the wings and has been promised a shot at Fury’s WBC title by the end of February 2021. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman believes the Coronavirus outbreak won’t delay proceedings but Whyte first has to get past Alexander Povetkin. Step-a-side payments could be the key here for an undisputed blockbuster to go ahead in 2020.

Fans number 1 pick…

Errol Spence vs Terence Crawford:

The most selected and winner by a clear margin is the huge welterweight unification between two of the hottest fighters in the game right now. A genuine 50/50 fight and one that both fighters claim to want. The obvious issue here is understanding Spence’s current health condition. He has stated numerous times that he is looking for a quick return to the ring following his accident and is in no mood for a tune up fight. To many, it wouldn’t make sense for the WBC & IBF champ to rush and jump straight into a fight with Crawford after such a significant accident and lengthy layoff. Opposing promotion and TV platforms add further complexity to this one but its clearly the number 1 fight in boxing right now and one that the fans want to see in 2020!