Photo: Mikey Williams/TR Boxing – If Beterbiev beats Bivol again, who will be next?
The holidays are approaching. As soon as I heard Canada Post was back in action, I sent my wishlist to the North Pole via express mail. But being a man of the people, all I’m asking for are these 10 major international fights that – without a doubt – would bring joy to millions!
Here they are:
10. Gervonta Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson
What a spectacular showdown this would be between two American boxers generating endless buzz. The ultimate knockout artist versus the technical perfectionist with almost no punching power. The pressure to make this fight happen is immense—it’s only a matter of time before these two undefeated fighters face off in the ring.
9. Terence Crawford vs. Sebastian Fundora
Terence Crawford has been unifying weight divisions at breakneck speed since the start of his career. If a matchup against Saul Álvarez doesn’t materialize, he could add more belts to his collection in 2025 by taking on Sebastian “The Towering Inferno” Fundora.
8. Jesse Rodriguez vs. Junto Nakatani
Bam vs. 中谷潤人: a fight that promises to be the best of the year. Two southpaws, two relentless punchers, and a guaranteed spectacle. Robert Garcia has said Rodriguez isn’t ready yet for Naoya Inoue. So why not set the stage by pitting him against the other great Japanese boxer?
7. Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano III
“Never two without three.” – Marie-Ève Albert, from the podcast 120 Secondes.
The first two fights were incredible yet controversial. After 20 rounds, it’s still impossible to say who’s better. This trilogy deserves an epic conclusion with 12 three-minute rounds and record-breaking viewership and purses for these two champions. And then… why not a fourth fight?
6. Martin Bakole vs. Zhilei Zhang
This fight is on my list for one simple reason: both boxers hit so hard they terrify an entire division. Nobody wants to face these monsters, who not only punch like freight trains but also hover around 300 pounds with above-average technique. If I were the referee, I’d stay far away from them.
5. Jai Opetaia vs. Gilberto Ramirez
After a convincing win against Chris Billam-Smith, Gilberto Ramirez has climbed to second in the cruiserweight rankings. Before moving up to heavyweight as he’s often hinted, Jai Opetaia would have to beat him. Otherwise, some might say he climbed the ranks too quickly.
My friend Turki is probably already negotiating this fight.
4. Christian Mbilli vs. Diego Pacheco
Fun fact: I immediately put this fight on my list when the IBF ordered the Mbilli (#3) and Pacheco (#4) fight. Then Pacheco said no, but the WBC came along with Mbilli (#1) vs. Munguia (#2). So I put this fight on my list, but before I could even send it to my bosses… Munguia was knocked out by Bruno Surace.
Back to square one: guess who is #3 and therefore next on the WBC list… Diego Pacheco. He will however fight Steven Nelson on January 25th, but I am not taking anything for granted anymore; whether it is Pacheco’s victory or Mauricio Sulaiman’s upcoming judgment.
3. Devin Haney vs. Teofimo Lopez
I can’t stand hearing them provoke each other through the media anymore. Enough promotion—get in the ring! Plus, the clash of styles would be perfect. Devin Haney will have to step back into the ring someday after his bout with Ryan Garcia.
2. Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
It doesn’t matter that Fury and Joshua lost their last fights; I want to experience the thrill of promotion days. I want to read headlines about 102,000 tickets selling out in four minutes. This fight is too perfect not to happen: the puncher vs. the technician, muscle vs. science, the loudmouth vs. the Olympic calm.
As the saying goes: “If a fight can sell 102,000 tickets… make it happen.”
1. Artur Beterbiev vs. David Benavidez
Legends do legendary things. I predict Beterbiev will win his rematch against Dmitry Bivol in February 2025. Because he’s cut from a different cloth, his farewell fight, on his 40th birthday, should be against David Benavidez.
At 40, he’d do what Saul Álvarez has avoided his entire career: face David Benavidez.
And since it’s my list, I also believe he’d knock the Mexican out.
I love you, dear readers, and I can’t wait to share another year of boxing, debates, and unforgettable emotions with you. See you soon, at a gala or in a text on Punching Grace.
Bonus
With the announcement of the Bazinyan-Butler fight, don’t miss my Québec version of this article (available right here).
