Photo edit by Keystone Boxing
Pitting the most lucrative fighters against each other is an arduous task, with the politics of boxing repeatedly depriving fans of lucrative bouts.
It’s possibly the most frustrating aspect of our glorious sport, knowing that routine defenses, network disputes and contractual issues are all stumbling blocks in getting the major bouts made.
Here are five of the most enticing scraps we hope don’t fall victim to boxing’s Achilles heel.
Gennady Golovkin vs. Saul Alvarez
Photo edit by Lorin Elise/Keystone Boxing
Boding the highest knockout percentage in Middleweight history, any matchup involving Gennady Golovkin generates an unparalleled anticipation, but ironically, it’s his gift which is his greatest burden.
Many have avoided engaging in a dustup with Golovkin, simply because of the sheer knockout power he possess.
But a tear up with Canelo Alvarez is that colossal matchup that will catapult the undefeated Kazakh to super stardom. It has blood, guts and thunder etched all over it, and it’s simply a case of who can last the course of a brutal encounter.
Ruthless offense courses through the veins of both men, making it a possible fight-of-the-year contender.
And a 2016 meeting looks inevitable for these fan favorites, and it’s this type of fight that widens the appeal to the general public, which can only be healthy for boxing.
Adonis Stevenson vs. Sergey Kovalev
Photo edit by Keystone Boxing
Unlike any other weight class, the Light Heavyweight division reaps two fighters who are head and shoulders above the rest, Adonis Stevenson and Sergey Kovalev. Both want to be slated as the unified champion, and only a meeting between the pair will settle the score.
Like with any major fight, there have been stumbling blocks in getting this one finalized. Kovalev’s promoter, Kathy Duva of Main Events, pulled out of the purse bid back in April over which network the bout should be televised on.
It’s all been a bit messy, but both have quickly and decisively cleared out the division. It’s a titanic clash that will showcase their explosive power, as well as their often underrated boxing technique.
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux
Photo edit by Lorin Elise/Keystone Boxing
One for the boxing purists, these two are among the slickest and most technically gifted operators in the boxing world today.
The pair both hold two Olympic gold medals each, and their unprecedented amateur records means they are considered two of the best to step up to the pro game. So it would only be fitting for them to square off.
Guillermo Rigondeaux, with his lighting speed and pinpoint counterpunching, against Vasyl Lomachenko’s textbook boxer-puncher technique, makes this bout as intriguing and under appreciated as any on the list.
Freddie Roach even claimed in an interview to UK’s Boxing News that it’s the greatest fight yet to be made.
The hall of fame trainer certainly has a point, as the bout will exhibit boxing mastery at its pinnacle.
Deontay Wilder vs. Wladamir Klitschko
Photo edit by Crown Boxing
Deontay Wilder has been heralded as the new American hope for heavyweight boxing, after a stagnant period following the greats such as Evander Holyfield, Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson.
But apart from a comfortable world title win against Bermane Stiverne, the unbeaten champion has failed to impress with low key defenses over Eric Molina and Johann Duhaupas.
It’s a culmination of these two factors which means fight fans want to see him go toe-to-toe with the best fighter in the division, Wladimir Klitschko.
With a height, reach and power advantage, Wilder has the armory to topple the second-longest-reigning heavyweight champion in the divisions history.
But how he will conquer the domineering jab, and experience of the 11 year reigning champion is anybody’s guess.
Roman Gonzalez vs. Juan Francisco Estrada II
Photo by Keystone Boxing
The flyweight division, and lighter weight classes in general, often don’t get the coverage and acclaim they deserve.
But Roman Gonzalez, rated by Ring Magazine as their No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, has phenomenal punching power and has the pulling power to draw in excited masses.
The pair first met in late 2012, and despite a relatively comfortable victory for the Nicaraguan, it was a fight-of-the-year contender.
Very few last the distance with Gonzalez, but if Juan Francisco Estrada can repeat the feat of absorbing some unhealthy punishment and take the fight to the undefeated champion for a second time, fight fans will be entertained in another enthralling contest.
