Image via Complex Original
Boxing is a fickle sport. In its peak form, it stands as a beautiful mix of skill and savagery, where modern-day gladiators put their lives on the line for money and glory. At it’s worst, boxing is often defined by the negative aspects that have led to the sport’s decline in prominence over the years, of which there are many. Poor judging, multiple sanctioning organizations with multiple “titles,” rival promoters, and paper champions all contribute not only to boxing’s disarray but the lack of public interest as well.
While last year was, in many ways, a major comeback year for boxing, the sport still has ways to go to reach the level of mass appeal it once enjoyed. Fortunately, with the “retirement” of Floyd Mayweather and formal rivals Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions now working together, there are tons of exciting and feasible fights that can be made across the sport.
So, without any further praise or preamble, here are the top five boxing matches we’d like to see in 2016.
GGG vs. Canelo Alvarez
When last year’s Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao mega fight fell well short of expectations, both fans and media alike were left searching for a true super fight to deliver action that could either equal or surpass the hype. Enter unified Middleweight Titlist Gennady “GGG” Golovkin against lineal Middleweight Champion, Canelo Alvarez. In what now stands as the premier fight to make in boxing regardless of weight class, Triple G versus Canelo is a virtual can’t-miss action fight, pitting two straight-ahead punchers with tremendous power in what most believe would be a flat out war.
Triple G’s rise in boxing is reaching near mythic levels, as he continues his run of 22 straight knockouts while boasting the highest KO ratio in the sport. A fight with Canelo would not only determine the number one middleweight in the world but would also satisfy public thirst for a monster fight with action to exceed the hype. Bring it on.
Sergey Kovalev vs. Adonis Stevenson
Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev, the unified Light Heavyweight Champion who owns three of the four major sanctioning organization titles is on his way to a monster fall showdown with undefeated American Andre Ward. While that fight could ultimately be one for the ages, the matchup most fans and media have been clamoring for the past couple years is the one that would result in a lineal undisputed Light Heavyweight Champion.
Sergey Kovalev versus Adonis “Superman” Stevenson would be for all the proverbial marbles in the division. What makes this bout even better, though, is that it’s a flat-out grudge match. These dudes do not like each other. From social media banter to Adonis crashing the ring after Kovalev’s most recent victory, the stage is set for an explosive match between the two best light heavyweights in the world. Let’s just hope Adonis “Chickenson” (as Kovalev likes to call him) decides to end the talk and glove up in 2016.
Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder
At the end of last November, Wladimir Klitschko, the long-reigning Heavyweight Champion, was upset and dethroned by Tyson Fury. The impact of Klitschko’s unexpected loss reverberated throughout the division, and the once-stagnant weight class is now suddenly bubbling with exciting matchups.
The one we’re most excited about is undefeated American Deontay Wilder, who owns the WBC Title, against fellow undefeated Brit Anthony Joshua. These two massive heavyweight bangers have 50 KOs between them in 51 total fights, making it highly unlikely a fight between these two makes it to the scorecards. Young, undefeated, and in their primes, Deontay Wilder versus Anthony Joshua could one day give the world the beastly, charismatic crossover superstar the heavyweight division has been searching for since the days of a young Mike Tyson.
Danny Garcia vs. Keith Thurman
With Floyd Mayweather supposedly out of the welterweight picture, boxing’s real glamor division is now wide open for an extremely talented group of young fighters to ascend the throne. Arguably, the cream of the crop could be a matchup between Keith “One Time” Thurman and Danny “Swift” Garcia. Both fighters are undefeated, and both possess sick one-punch KO power. Each has produced his fair share of highlight-reel knockouts on his way to the top, so a fight between the two of them could prove explosive.
Terrence Crawford vs. Ruslan Provodnikov
In boxing, they say styles make fights, and for our fifth and final match-up of fights we want to see in 2016, that saying couldn’t be truer. Terrance “Bud” Crawford versus Ruslan “The Siberian Rocky” Provodnikov is the epitome of “styles make fights,” pitting the quintessential boxer/puncher in Crawford against the straight-ahead brawler in Provodnikov. These two opposing styles are the perfect match to produce sustained, two-way action in the ring. Fortunately for fight fans, talks for this highly anticipated bout are underway. Let’s just hope their promoters can make a deal sooner rather than later.