By George Gigney
THE FESTIVE interval supplied loads to speak about: Naoya Inoue confirming his place as the 2023 Fighter of the Year, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou signing to battle one another in March and referee Tony Weeks sparking controversy round fighter security. But, to kick off the new 12 months, let’s attempt one thing a little bit totally different this week. We’re going to try the fighters we expect will trigger the most media stir in 2024. This may be due to large fights they’re concerned in, dumb issues they submit on social media or sudden bulletins. Let’s dive in.
Anthony Joshua
Given that ‘AJ’ has been certainly one of the sport’s largest stars for quite a few years now, this would possibly appear to be a really secure reply however 2024 in explicit may be an enormous 12 months for the Watford large. He, in fact, will face former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou in Saudi Arabia in a number of months’ time (at the time of writing a date has not but been formally introduced). The announcement of that battle has already generated an enormous quantity of buzz, and that will solely get louder the nearer it will get.
Joshua also needs to beat Ngannou in model. If he does, he’ll be persevering with a wonderful run of type and will put himself in prime place for a megafight with Tyson Fury. That being stated, Fury is probably going a few superfights with Oleksandr Usyk, resulting from rematch clauses concerned in their February conflict, so Joshua could discover himself ready for a spell. Regardless, an announcement win over Ngannou – regardless of Francis’ lack of pedigree as a boxer – would work wonders for Joshua’s standing. It may additionally lastly see him correctly crack the American market as effectively. Ngannou is extraordinarily fashionable in the US because of his performances in the UFC, and there are numerous MMA followers who assume he will beat Joshua. If ‘AJ’ can look spectacular in beating him, his reputation may skyrocket as soon as once more.
Anthony Joshua (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Naoya Inoue
Coming off the again of a standout 2023, in which he was universally recognised as certainly one of the fighters of the 12 months, Japan’s Inoue is on the verge of true stardom in the West. He’s already a solidified famous person in his dwelling nation, however Inoue’s identify isn’t one recognized to many informal sports activities followers in main markets like the US and the UK. Indeed, there isn’t a lot reporting on him from main sporting retailers exterior of devoted boxing websites and publications.
Considering he grew to become ‘undisputed’ champion in not one however two weight courses in the final 13 months, it will be virtually unimaginable for Inoue to high these achievements in 2024. However, this might be the 12 months he crosses over into the mainstream. With the proper opponents, and maybe extra appearances in the US, Inoue’s jaw-dropping skills should be seen by the world.
It seems to be as if his marketing campaign this 12 months will start towards Luis Nery, an honest however not wholly thrilling challenger.
Naoya Inoue
Amanda Serrano
The Puerto Rican star has been a pressure of nature throughout a number of weight courses over the previous few years and 2023 was no totally different. But it wasn’t simply her exploits in the ring which have stored Serrano’s identify in the media. She’s additionally been admirably outspoken about campaigning for equality inside boxing, which is why final 12 months she vacated her WBC title to protest towards the sanctioning physique not letting girls battle 12 three-minute rounds. There’s little question she’ll proceed to battle the good battle in 2024 and she or he will hopefully hold getting media consideration for it.
Plus, she has the backing of Jake Paul who – prefer it or not – has one way or the other made himself certainly one of the largest names in fight sports activities. In reality, he will field on Serrano’s undercard when she headlines in her dwelling nation later this 12 months. Although his personal pursuits in boxing depart rather a lot to be desired, he has been a staunch supporter of Serrano and his affect has helped increase her profile significantly.
Amanda Serrano (Al Bello/Getty Images)
Ryan Garcia
There are different lightweights and super-lightweights that maybe deserve extra media protection than Garcia: Gervonta Davis (who beat him final 12 months), Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson to call a number of. But none of these males have Garcia’s knack for getting his identify on the market. He is vastly fashionable on social media, the place he’s very energetic and is aware of the right way to achieve traction in a short time.
He’s additionally proven a willingness to leap in there with the finest fighters. It’s possible that he’ll get not less than another large battle this 12 months, maybe towards Haney. Given his reputation on-line – and a current reference to one Floyd Mayweather – Garcia will proceed to create headlines in 2024. This may additionally be the 12 months that his effervescent battle with promoter Golden Boy involves a head. It may get messy, and that will be lined extensively.
Ryan Garcia (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Terence Crawford
In 2023, ‘Bud’ earned the largest win of his profession when he dismantled Errol Spence Jnr. It was a efficiency that solidified Crawford as a contemporary nice, and it’s one which units him up for a blockbuster chapter of his profession. Now 36, Crawford edging nearer to the finish of his profession however solely now’s he getting the consideration he has lengthy deserved.
Based on interviews he has given since beating Spence, it’s clear that Crawford now solely needs really large fights. There has even been speak of him shifting as much as face Canelo Alvarez – if that had been to occur, it will be certainly one of the most talked-about fights of the 12 months. There are additionally rumblings of a rematch with Spence, who not too long ago underwent surgical procedure for cataracts on his eye. Whatever Crawford does subsequent, it will be large information and rightfully so.
Terence Crawford (Getty Images)
Boxing on the Box
January 14
Artur Beterbiev-Callum Smith
Sky Sports Arena
Coverage begins at 2am
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