2019 Boxing Wishlist

By Boxing News - 12/27/2018 - Comments

Image: 2019 Boxing Wishlist

By Josh Keen: 2018 has been the latest installment of a growing trend where the best more or less are fighting the best. Saul Canelo Alvarez and Gennady ‘GGG’ Golovkin’s matched off again in the sport’s biggest money fight, and while perhaps the result was no less controversial, we didn’t have to wait years to get it. Vasyl Lomachenko fought the previously number one-rated 135-pounder Jorge Linares, Anthony Joshua unified against Joseph Parker, Josh Warrington fought Lee Selby and Carl Frampton in domestic yet elite-level affairs, both the cruiser and super-middleweight pecking orders were seemingly demystified, previously avoided fighters Luis Ortiz, Sergey Derevyanchenko, and Oleksander Gvozdyk were given their shots, and Wilder of course faced off against Tyson Fury in perhaps the most talked about match-up of the year.

Let’s hope that 2019 does not buck the trend and continues in the same vein. Though, some of these dream fights are a little more feasible than others…

Leo Santa Cruz vs Gary Russell Jr

Despite Oscar Valdez impressing in his bruising contest with Scott Quigg, and Selby’s back-to-back successes against his domestic rivals, these two must be seen as the leading featherweights. Minus a loss to Lomachenko – for which there is little shame – Russell’s professional career has been close to flawless. His best win to date came this year against Joseph Diaz, a fighter touted by many to win multiple world titles and who had previously toppled world champion Oscar Valdez in the amateurs. While Russell’s hands are quick, so too are Santa Cruz’s and perhaps he carries even more power in them. With a Frampton rematch seemingly out of the equation, why not make this mouth-watering unification?

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs Jerwin Ancajas

Few can question Rungvisai’s place atop the 115lb division. Following his unexpected initial victory over Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, conclusively backed up with a knockout in the rematch, all has appeared relatively straightforward for the Thai knockout artist. Gonzalez should never have been in the ring with him – his power hasn’t carried through the weights like a Manny Pacquiao nor does he possess the skill of a Lomachenko. Ancajas, however, while coming off a draw which has muted the hype, can still bang and is clearly as talented if not more so than Rungvisai. While maybe not quite a 50-50, this fight would definitely still keep fans and pundits guessing.

Vasyl Lomachenko vs Mikey Garcia

Perhaps the least likely of the bunch…doubtful we’ll ever see it. It was the obvious fight to put together with these champions so undoubtedly leading the way at lightweight. However, promotional differences negated any sort of discussion. Garcia’s slightly longer reach and supreme technical skills (even if not at the level of Loma’s) would have contrived a technically pure boxing affair that can be rivaled by few. It also would have unequivocally announced a pound for pound number one ahead of the rest. Instead, Garcia is making the brave (or stupid?) move to challenge hard-hitting welterweight Errol Spence. What can be said though is that even if he loses, the Lomachenko fight will still be there.

Dmitry Bivol vs Artur Beterbiev

Dmitry Bivol, a remarkable talent, characterized by his technical ability and high work-rate and Beterbiev, a man who carries dynamite in both fists, seem eager to create a little more clarity for fans as to who the real light-heavyweight kingpin is. This is a fight where blinking would be ill-advised. Beterbiev’s 13 knockouts in as many fights and Bivol’s 11 knockouts would make for a firecracker. While Gvozdyk, Badou Jack and Alvarez would all argue themselves to best the best, the two Russians would certainly help solve the question regarding 175 lb supremacy.

Anthony Joshua vs. Wilder/Fury

It would be a shame to see Fury step ahead of Fury in the queue to face off against Deontay Wilder. Tyson Fury seemingly won the fight against Wilder by a couple of rounds or so, consequently warranting the chance to rematch. However, the winner of that contest still couldn’t proclaim themselves to be the best in the division. While Joshua may have had more trouble beating Wladimir Klitscho, and looked labored against Alexander Povetkin, he has still beaten everyone put in front of him. Can Wilder finally figure out Fury or is he just too technical? Would AJ have any more luck and who would land first if AJ faced off against Deontay? Questions being asked in the golden division…

Even if we were to receive just two or three of those fantasy fights in 2019, we are in for another strong year. Not to mention the three WBSS tournaments that are due to take place over the coming year.

Josh Keen

@_JoshKeen_