BOXING: FURY vs USYK
Nothing should get in the way of crowning the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Above all others this fight must happen in 2023 and the earlier the better.
Even though it will inevitably end up in the cash-rich Middle East, Fury’s legacy demands he first take on the pound-for-pound table-topping Ukrainian then, if successful, finally face off against – hopefully by then, a rejuvenated – Anthony Joshua.
MMA: NGANNOU vs JONES
Once again, fight sports can be judged by the state of its heavyweight division, and the UFC is no different. Matching current champ Francis Ngannou with leading GOAT contender Jon Jones is both physically and financially the biggest fight the UFC can make in 2023.
Bro causally posted the hardest Jon Jones edit and thought we wouldn’t notice 💀 pic.twitter.com/38iYhDABob
— Aqua 🦆 (@AquaFighting) December 20, 2022
Inactive for the past three years, bad boy Jones is the former light-heavyweight grand master, whilst Ngannou, a year older at 36, has made just one defence of the crown he captured two years ago.
BOXING: CRAWFORD vs SPENCE
These two have sat abreast the welterweight division for near on four years and featured heavily in fans’ top 10 pound-for-pound lists, yet politics keeps them apart. Not even leaving promoter Top Rank greased the wheels adequately for Terence Crawford to finally meet Errol Spence in the ring.
They should have crossed over into the mainstream after to a trilogy of fights by now, but instead it remains boxing’s biggest matchmaking faux pas since Mayweather–Pacquiao.
MMA: HOLLOWAY vs ALLEN
UFC London 2023 is already earmarked for March 18th and whilst Leon Edwards’ first welterweight title defense is a lock in for headline act, chief-support slot should be reserved for another Brit aiming to become world champion.
Arnold Allen is already ranked #4 at featherweight and, with champ Alexander Volkanovski preparing for a step-up fight at lightweight in February, former kingpin Max Holloway would represent the perfect final hurdle.
BOXING: TAYLOR vs CATTERALL
It doesn’t matter that all four super-lightweight belts will no longer be on the line, Josh Taylor needs redemption after the judges robbed Jack Catterall of victory and undisputed status with the worst decision of the year in Glasgow last February.
'I did enough to win… It'll be a different fight this time!' 💥@JoshTaylorBoxer looks ahead to a rematch with Jack Catterall ⏳ pic.twitter.com/VKsDkPze48
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) December 21, 2022
Forget the belts, this is for top dog status at 140lb and the entire boxing world knows it. And, weirdly, once untouchable Taylor needs this fight more than anybody.
MMA: NUNES vs SHEVCHENKO
It may seem strange to have a trilogy fight listed when the same fighter won the first two, but a third fight between bantamweight champ Amanda Nunes and flyweight queen Valentina Shevchenko represents likely the best two female fighters ever to step foot inside the Octagon.
Five years on from Nunes’ split decision win in their rematch, the time is now for a cross-weight main event that would define either career once and for all.
