By: Sean Crose
I’ve been writing for this publication for over ten years now…and 2023 was, no doubt, the strongest of all these years. Technically, I shouldn’t be utilizing the phrase “was,” as a result of right here in Connecticut we nonetheless have nearly 9 hours earlier than we slip into 2024. Still, since there’s no extra main bouts available till the subsequent calendar 12 months, I’m going to go together with the previous tense right here. What a 12 months 2023 was for the game, although! There had been main fights – a few of which really had been pay per view worthy – unbelievable performances, and a few thrilling throwdowns.
And whereas there have been undoubtedly downer moments available, even the lack of Showtime couldn’t take away from boxing’s upward trajectory these previous twelve months. What’s extra, 2023 is leaving the game loaded for a promising 2024. With Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk set to combat in February, and Devin Haney in severe talks to face Ryan Garcia, the approaching 12 months seems to be to be headed in the fitting course. Naturally, this being boxing we’re speaking about, disappointments will definitely come up, simply as they did in 2023. Big matches received’t get made, cherries shall be picked, and probably main fights shall be pushed apart so as to make room for social media smack discuss.
And but the general momentum begun this previous 12 months is prone to stay unbroken in 2024. The cause for that is relatively easy: After a real dry spell, one the place ambition itself turned retro, boxing has returned to a spot the place daring to be nice is one thing to be inspired. Terrance Crawford confronted Errol Spence in 2023, Naoya Inoue confronted Stephen Fulton, Garcia confronted Gervonta Davis, David Benavidez met Demetrius Andrade, and Katie Taylor battlef Chantelle Cameron for the second time – these had been all matches that might have been prevented by security first fighters. Fortunately, fighters on the lookout for straightforward touches in 2023 gave the impression to be turning into much less distinguished.
Here’s hoping such unambitious fighters change their tunes in 2024 by taking probabilities. If 2023 taught us something it’s that boxing is way extra thrilling when title fighters really danger dropping. Let’s have in mind in 2024, nevertheless, that main fighters that suffer a loss or two shouldn’t be written off. That type of factor results in the type of security first muck the game was caught in for thus lengthy. Besides, boxing is loaded with tales fighters coming again after defeat(s) and attaining glory. Often, all of it has to do with the mindset.
