This list was incredibly difficult to boil down to just 10 since there’s so many spectacular match-ups currently marinating in boxing. For that reason, I’ve also included a whole bunch of notable fights that didn’t quite crack the list.
A note: while some fights are already set to go, most aren’t – let’s just hope the latter come to fruition in 2016! Enjoy…
1. Gennady Golovkin vs Canelo Alvarez
I don’t really need to do much explaining here. Golovkin is the numero uno monster puncher at Middleweight, and the young Canelo isn’t far behind. Golovkin has the edge going in, of course, but this encounter is closely matched and would be a huge event in 2016. All that seemingly stands in the way is that unspeakable 155 pound catchweight business. Neither man currently has an opponent scheduled for the new year.
2. Scott Quigg vs Carl Frampton
Another fight that needs little explanation. Both Quigg and Frampton hold their own pieces of the Junior Featherweight crown and intend to utilize their top drawer boxing savvy and power to walk away with both titles on fight night. The winner will be geared toward Cuban technician and division leader Guillermo Rigondeaux. Quigg vs Frampton will unfold on February 27th.
3. Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury
Will this giant Heavyweight showdown happen in 2016? I’m not so sure, but hopefully 12 months is enough time for these skyscraping bangers to get it on! Reasons it should happen: Wilder is a wrecking machine and loud-mouth Fury just dethroned Wladimir Klitschko in a major upset. Reasons it won’t: politics, egos, money, and Fury getting crushed by Klitschko in their upcoming rematch (date TBA). Wilder is currently set to face Artur Szpilka on January 16th.
4. Adonis Stevenson vs Sergey Kovalev
OK, I know what you’re thinking: this fight is never going to happen. It’s certainly deflating to keep on watching both of these Light Heavyweight titans blasting away soft opposition in the mean time. But you never know, with both men getting on in their years, 2016 might be the year these dynamite-fisted standouts finally face off. (There’s of course the issue of Andre Ward’s comeback interfering.) Kovalev is scheduled to rematch Jean Pascal on January 30th.
5. Kell Brook vs Amir Khan
This pair of British Welterweights seem to spend more time trash talking with one another than actually fighting in the ring. IBF champ Brook is cursed by injury-plagued fights, while Khan chose to face a bunch of fringe contenders this year. But I’ve a feeling Brook vs Khan will be made in 2016 at a UK venue, mainly because both fighters are a huge draw and could reap the rewards of very healthy pay per view numbers. Neither man is currently scheduled to fight in 2016.
6. James DeGale vs Badou Jack
Gold Medalist DeGale made his mark in 2015 by beating a very spirited Andre Dirrell and Lucian Bute. Jack also proved his place among the world’s top Super Middleweights by winning a decision over George Groves. Of all the potential clashes at 168 pounds, this is one of the best, and I can see little reason for it escaping us in 2016. It’s also a neck-and-neck pairing on paper, which would generate significant interest. Neither man is currently set to fight in 2016.
7. Roman Martinez vs Orlando Salido III
These two have already fought twice this year, with Martinez outpointing his foe in their first encounter, and Salido piling on enough pressure to earn a Draw in the second. However, if you ask me, Salido did just enough to pull off the win and take home the WBO Junior Lightweight title that night. With their rematch a strong candidate for Fight of the Year, it’s no wonder these warriors had no troubles inking a deal for a 2016 trilogy-maker. Martinez vs Salido III will erupt on February 20th.
8. Terence Crawford vs Viktor Postol
A win for either man would open the door to a blindingly bright future, indeed. Crawford is a near flawless operator – so far – who has enjoyed an impressive 2015, with wins over Thomas Dulorme and Dierry Jean. Meanwhile Viktor Postol came out of nowhere to not only defeat Lucas Matthysse, but stop the power punching Argentine for the first time. Postol and Crawford are undefeated and, with Postol standing 3 inches taller, this could be a tasty 140 pound clash. Neither man is scheduled to fight in 2016 as of yet.
9. Terry Flanagan vs Anthony Crolla
Flanagan and Crolla ended the year on very high notes. Flanagan wiped the floor with a highly capable Diego Magdaleno in 2 brutal rounds, while Crolla set the record straight with former foe Darleys Perez, knocking the WBA Lightweight title holder in the 5th round. Flanagan and Crolla are fine boxers with deceptive power, and could produce a classic should they meet for a unification showdown in 2016. Flanagan is set to defend his title against countryman Derry Matthews on January 30th.
10. Takashi Uchiyama vs Francisco Vargas
If this Junior Lightweight clash should materialize, boxing fans can expect a legitimate thriller. Uchiyama has been the division ruler for some time now, but could well meet his match in Vargas who recently knocked out Takashi Miura in a Fight of the Year candidate. Uchiyama and Vargas both hold a piece of the 130 pound crown, which would make this firework-loaded potential bout all the more marketable. Uchiyama is set to face Oliver Flores on December 31st, 2015.
Best of the Rest: Boxing Showdowns for 2016
- Wladimir Klitschko vs Tyson Fury II
- Denis Lebedev vs Krzysztof Glowacki
- Sergey Kovalev vs Andre Ward/Artur Beterbiev
- Callum Smith vs George Groves
- Daniel Jacobs vs David Lemieux
- Jermell/Jermall Charlo vs Erislandy Lara
- Liam Smith vs Demetrius Andrade
- Tim Bradley vs Keith Thurman
- Danny Garcia vs Timothy Bradley
- Lucas Matthysse vs Adrien Broner
- Jorge Linares vs Dejan Zlaticanin
- Vasyl Lomachenko vs Gary Russell Jr
- Nicholas Walters/Lee Selby vs Leo Santa Cruz
- Scott Quigg/Carl Frampton vs Guillermo Rigondeaux
- Shinsuke Yamanaka vs Juan Carlos Payano
- Jamie McDonnell vs Tomoki Kameda III
- Naoya Inoue vs Carlos Cuadras
- Roman Gonzalez vs Juan Francisco Estrada/Naoya Inoue
- Donnie Nietes vs Ryoichi Taguchi/Roman Gonzalez
- Hekkie Budler vs Wanheng Menayothin
What fight are you most looking forward to in 2016? Golovkin vs Canelo? Quigg vs Frampton? Spill your thoughts in the comments, fight fans!
