December’s boxing lineup looks especially generous, with an intriguing Heavyweight showdown getting the ball rolling. We’ve got mainstream faces, a pair of Pound-for-Pounders, numerous title fights, some quality supporting acts, and pretty much zilch to complain about. A more extensive outlook can be found in our updated 2018/19 Schedule.
Deontay Wilder vs. Tyson Fury (Showtime PPV, BT Sport Box Office)
December 1, Los Angeles, California
I’ve been chewing this fight over since it was first announced in September. And it’s still a hard one to call. Deontay Wilder is the lights-out specialist, yet some feel his lack of fundamentals and reliance on power may lead to him getting found out.
Then there’s Tyson Fury, the more refined, slippery guy and known spoiler. Fury’s charm, iron will and enigmatic nature has been magnetic in the buildup, but his best days might be over following a well documented dark period of personal problems.
There’s significance behind this meeting of unbeatens. The winner will dethrone Anthony Joshua as Heavyweight ruler, or, at the very least, seize the No.2 spot. I guess it all comes down to the kind of statement we see on Saturday night. For a full lowdown, be sure to check out my Wilder vs. Fury Preview & Prediction.
Wilder vs. Fury: Notable Undercard
- Jarrett Hurd vs. Jason Welborn | WBA, IBF Junior Middleweight Championship
- Luis Ortiz vs. Travis Kauffman | Heavyweight
- Joe Joyce vs. Joe Hanks | Heavyweight
- Mark Barriga vs. Carlos Licona | vacant IBF Strawweight Championship
Adonis Stevenson vs. Oleksandr Gvozdyk (Showtime)
December 1, Quebec City, Canada
This Light Heavyweight encounter, which sees Adonis Stevenson make the 9th defense of his WBC title, looks pretty tasty on paper. For Oleksandr Gvozdyk, a very promising, fast-rising prospect, this is a real career-defining moment, and, considering the champion’s advanced years and mileage, I’m picking Gvozdyk to come out on top.
In all honesty, I think the majority of boxing fans – myself included – are ready to see Stevenson’s WBC strap switch waists. (Mainly because Stevenson’s title reign has been one of the most lacklustre of recent memory). With all that said, Stevenson is a fine talent who can still crack. He’s not over the hill just yet, so must be considered dangerous.
Stevenson vs. Gvozdyk: Notable Undercard
- Marie Eve Dicaire vs. Chris Namus | IBF Women’s Junior Middleweight Championship
- Sebastian Bouchard vs. Ali Fuenka | Welterweight
Vasily Lomachenko vs. Jose Pedraza (ESPN/Deportes, Boxnation)
December 8, New York, US
I can’t say I was ecstatic, or even vaguely excited, when I heard about this matchup. Vasyl Lomachenko has a compelling argument to be the No.1 Pound for Pound fighter on the planet. And Jose Pedraza is…well, how do I put this without doing the man a disservice?
Pedraza’s a respectable, perfectly decent, talented boxer. He’s a two-weight champ with only a sole loss to Gervonta Davis, and would be considered a firm challenge for most guys at 130/135 pounds. However, against Lomachenko, Pedraza looks to be well out of his depth.
It just feels like a significant step down for Lomachenko (who recently knocked out revered Lightweight ruler Jorge Linares). But I’m probably being a little unreasonable, especially since this is only Lomachenko’s 13th pro outing. Furthermore, Pedraza, BB’s No.4 Lightweight, did score a good win over Raymundo Beltran in August, so it’s not like the Lomachenko fight was simply gifted to him.
Still, with all that said, I’d have much rather seen No.2-ranked Mikey Garcia taking on Lomachenko – instead of locking himself in to face fully-fledged Welterweight elite Errol Spence Jr next March. But it is what it is. Lomachenko’s WBA and Pedraza’s WBO titles will be in the pot on Dec 8, and I’ll be watching, if only to see ‘High-Tech’ in a boxing ring.
Lomachenko vs. Pedraza: Notable Undercard
- Isaac Dogboe vs. Emanuel Navarrete | WBO Junior Featherweight Championship
- Teofima Lopez Jr vs. TBA | Lightweight
- Alexander Besputin vs. Juan Carlos Abreu | Welterweight
Canelo Alvarez vs. Rocky Fielding (DAZN)
December 15, New York, US
Nobody was asking for this fight. Like, nobody. But since Canelo Alvarez just beat Gennady Golovkin in an absolute thriller, maybe we should cut him some slack. So why exactly is Canelo jumping up to Super Middleweight after only two fights at Middle? And why is he facing a fairly small name in WBA ‘Regular’ titlist Rocky Fielding?
Well, I’m guessing it’s got a whole lot to do with Canelo’s new 13-fight contract (somewhere in the tune of $350 million) with DAZN. Matchroom Boxing, Fielding’s promoter, has a 32-fight-per-year deal with the streaming service, which surely made the fight simple to put together.
DAZN and Canelo’s team, Golden Boy Promotions, surely view Fielding as nothing short of a sacrificial lamb. And they’re probably right. Fielding is a determined fighter armed with a world title, but he’s not currently seen as much of a threat at 168, much less to elites like Canelo.
Canelo vs. Fielding: Notable Undercard
- Tevin Farmer vs. Francsco Fonseca | Middleweight
- David Lemieux vs. Tuereano Johnson | Middleweight
- Sadam Ali vs. Mauricio Herrera | Welterweight
- Ryan Garcia vs. TBA | Lightweight
Josh Warrington vs. Carl Frampton (ESPN+)
December 22, Manchester, England
Once upon a time I was sceptical about Josh Warrington’s chances on the world boxing stage. But he’s made a believer out of me. Warrington, a high-tempo, combo-punching machine is a joy to watch. He’s not a huge puncher, but athleticism and tenacity have made him a nightmare opponent thus far, able to wear down and crush spirits.
Warrington dethroned IBF Featherweight champ Lee Selby in May, and will make another step-up when he takes on former champ Carl Frampton. My gut tells me Frampton should be a little too slick and versatile to lose this fight, but I could totally see Warrington securing a close decision in a high-octane, fan-friendly affair.
Warrington vs. Frampton: Notable Undercard
- Michael Conlan vs. Jason Cunningham | Featherweight
- Mark Heffron vs. Liam Williams | Junior Middleweight
- Nathan Gorman vs. Alex Leapai | Heavyweight
Boxing in December: Best of the Rest
Rene Alvarado vs. Carlos Morales (Facebook Watch)
December 8, Indio, California; WBA Junior Lightweight Eliminator
Kell Brook vs. Michael Zerafa (DAZN)
December 8, Sheffield, England; Junior Middleweight
Roman Gonzalez vs. Pedro Guevara (HBO)
December 8, Carson, California; Junior Bantamweight
Gilberto Ramirez vs. Jesse Hart II (ESPN+)
December 14, Corpus Christi, Texas; WBO Super Middleweight Championship
Daniel Dubois vs. TBA (ESPN+)
December 15, Brentwood, England; Heavyweight
Jermall Charlo vs. Willie Monroe Jr (FOX)
December 22, New York, US; WBC ‘Interim’ Middleweight Championship
Dillian Whyte vs. Derck Chisora II (DAZN)
December 22, London, England; Heavyweight
Masayuki Ito vs. Evgeny Chuprakov
December 30, Tokyo, Japan; WBO Junior Lightweight Championship
So that’s boxing in December wrapped up, folks. Who are you backing? Can Fury find the answer to befuddle – and even knockout – Wilder? Is Stevenson’s reign about to come to an end? Are Lomachenko’s and Canelo’s fights nothing more than showcases? And how do you see Warrington’s chances versus Frampton?
