Despite being followed by a day literally called Boxing Day, Christmas is traditionally a fallow period for actual boxing. Normally the only fights you see are when your Mum gives your Dad the left-right goodnight because he burned the turkey or your Nan launches some body shots at your Grandad cos he didn’t guess that her geriatric body-popping was an attempt to mime ‘Godzilla vs Kong’ in Charades.
But fear not, boxing aficionados. 2023 is already shaping up to be a feast for fans of the fistic arts. The Sportsman has collated a list of the big fights already in the schedule for next year. Here’s just some of what we’ve got to look forward to.
Saturday 7th January: Gervonta Davis vs Hector Luis Garcia
This WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title clash is intended to be the last stop on the road to ‘Tank’ fighting Ryan Garcia. Hector Garcia is no tune-up opponent, and is talented enough to hold the full WBA title at the weight below.
One favours the destructive Davis here though. The 27-0 star has boxed as high as super lightweight and should have too much size and strength for his challenger here. But watching the explosive, exciting ‘Tank’ do his thing is always a treat. The card also features hotly-tipped Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and unbeaten former two-weight world champion Demetrius Andrade.
Saturday 14th January: KSI vs Dillon Danis
YouTubers and boxing go together like mistletoe and broken glass. But these barely-trained influencers aren’t going away anytime soon. At least this one has a bit of a grudge behind it.
If Conor McGregor is Robbie Williams then Dillon Danis is Jonathan Wilkes. The 2-0 MMA fighter’s entire function in life is to be McGregor’s annoying mate. KSI stepped up in 2022, fighting two men in one night. One of them was even a professional boxer. Jake Paul, take note.
KSI holds something called the ICB Cruiserweight Championship. In terms of prestige, it’s up there with the WWF Hardcore Championship or the BRIT award that Liam Gallagher threw into the crowd in the 1990s.
Saturday 21st January: Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith
After Eubank saw a lucrative fight with Conor Benn collapse over the latter’s failed drugs test, he resets with a tasty domestic clash. While this is an all-British affair, it brings together two talents that have competed at world level.
Former WBO light middleweight champion Smith comes in as the underdog, but he will be a stern test for Eubank. Since losing to ‘Canelo’ in 2016, only unbeaten pair Jaime Munguia and Magomed Kurbanov have found a way past the Liverpudlian.
The winner of this fight will likely move on to a world title bout later in 2023, while the loser will face a long road back to the top of the sport.
Saturday 28th January: Jermell Charlo vs Tim Tsyzu
Charlo became the undisputed light middleweight champion in 2022, winning an absolute war with Brian Castano to unify the belts. But if you think he’s taking a tune-up after that tough battle, think again.
Tsyzu is the son of legendary former 140lb king Kostya, but the 28-year-old is looking to make his own legacy. Unbeaten in 21 fights and with punch power to back up his credentials, this could be a tough night for Charlo. But the American just seems more well-rounded than the Australian. Charlo should avoid Tsyzu’s power to seal victory.
Saturday 28th January: Artur Beterbiev vs Anthony Yarde
This WBC, WBO and IBF title clash was supposed to take place last year, but an injury to champion Beterbiev delayed its arrival. This clash of power punchers is sure to be worth the wait.
This is Yarde’s second world title shot, having had Sergey Kovalev on the verge of defeat in 2019 before being stopped in a WBO title challenge. Beterbiev is 37, but showing no signs of slowing down. The unified king has 18 wins, all by knockout, during which he has amassed three-quarters of the world crown.
This will be explosive while it lasts, and looks highly unlikely to see out the 12-round distance. The smart money is on Beterbiev, but Yarde has shown he has the power to hurt the very best.
Saturday 18th February: Adrien Broner vs Ivan Redkach
Boxing’s ultimate enigma, there’s just no telling which Adrien Broner will turn up in Valentine’s week next year. Will it be the shoulder-rolling showboat who once drew Floyd Mayweather comparisons? Or the undercooked fringe contender who has just one win in his last four fights?
At the age of 33, Broner is far from finished physically. But his mentality has been called into question. This year saw bizarre outbursts during a press conference call and the collapse of a scheduled fight with Omar Figueroa due to mental health issues.
Redkach is the sort of opponent the old Broner would have sliced and diced. But a 2019 knockout win over former champion Devon Alexander shows he’s no patsy. ‘The Problem’ will have to show at least flashes of his best to come out of this one as the winner.
Special Mentions:
14th January: Efe Ajagba vs Oscar Rivas
21st January: Ilunga Makabu vs Noel Mikaelian
28th January: Agit Kabayel vs Agron Smakici
3rd February: Emanuel Navarrette vs Liam Wilson
9th February: Jean Pascal vs Michael Eifert
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
