By George Gigney
THE FESTIVE interval offered lots to speak about: Naoya Inoue confirming his place because the 2023 Fighter of the Yr, Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou signing to battle one another in March and referee Tony Weeks sparking controversy round fighter security. However, to kick off the brand new 12 months, let’s strive one thing just a little completely different this week. We’re going to check out the fighters we predict will trigger probably the most media stir in 2024. This could possibly be due to huge fights they’re concerned in, dumb issues they submit on social media or sudden bulletins. Let’s dive in.
Anthony Joshua
Provided that ‘AJ’ has been one of many sport’s largest stars for quite a few years now, this would possibly seem to be a really secure reply however 2024 particularly could possibly be an enormous 12 months for the Watford big. He, after all, will face former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou in Saudi Arabia in a number of months’ time (on 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 can solely get louder the nearer it will get.
Joshua must also beat Ngannou in fashion. If he does, he’ll be persevering with a wonderful run of kind and can put himself in prime place for a megafight with Tyson Fury. That being mentioned, Fury is probably going taking a look at a few superfights with Oleksandr Usyk, as a consequence of rematch clauses concerned of 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 nicely. Ngannou is extraordinarily widespread within the US due to his performances within the UFC, and there are numerous MMA followers who assume he’ll beat Joshua. If ‘AJ’ can look spectacular in beating him, his reputation may skyrocket as soon as once more.
Anthony Joshua (Richard Pelham/Getty Photos)
Naoya Inoue
Coming off the again of a standout 2023, wherein he was universally recognised as one of many fighters of the 12 months, Japan’s Inoue is on the verge of true stardom within the West. He’s already a solidified celebrity in his house nation, however Inoue’s identify is just not one identified to many informal sports activities followers in main markets just like the US and the UK. Certainly, there isn’t a lot reporting on him from main sporting retailers exterior of devoted boxing websites and publications.
Contemplating he turned ‘undisputed’ champion in not one however two weight courses within the final 13 months, it might be virtually unattainable for Inoue to high these achievements in 2024. Nevertheless, this could possibly be the 12 months he crosses over into the mainstream. With the precise opponents, and maybe extra appearances within the US, Inoue’s jaw-dropping abilities need to be seen by the world.
It seems to be as if his marketing campaign this 12 months will start towards Luis Nery, a good 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 completely different. Nevertheless it wasn’t simply her exploits within the ring which have stored Serrano’s identify within 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 doubt she’ll proceed to battle the great battle in 2024 and she is going to hopefully hold getting media consideration for it.
Plus, she has the backing of Jake Paul who – prefer it or not – has by some means made himself one of many largest names in fight sports activities. Actually, he’ll field on Serrano’s undercard when she headlines in her house nation later this 12 months. Though his personal pursuits in boxing depart quite a bit to be desired, he has been a staunch supporter of Serrano and his affect has helped elevate her profile significantly.
Amanda Serrano (Al Bello/Getty Photos)
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. However none of these males have Garcia’s knack for getting his identify on the market. He’s vastly widespread on social media, the place he’s very lively and is aware of easy methods to achieve traction in a short time.
He’s additionally proven a willingness to leap in there with the most effective fighters. It’s possible that he’ll get at the least yet another huge battle this 12 months, maybe towards Haney. Given his reputation on-line – and a latest reference to one Floyd Mayweather – Garcia will proceed to create headlines in 2024. This is also the 12 months that his effervescent battle with promoter Golden Boy involves a head. It may get messy, and that can be lined extensively.
Ryan Garcia (Carmen Mandato/Getty Photos)
Terence Crawford
In 2023, ‘Bud’ earned the most important 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 top of his profession however solely now could be he getting the eye he has lengthy deserved.
Based mostly on interviews he has given since beating Spence, it’s clear that Crawford now solely desires really huge fights. There has even been speak of him shifting as much as face Canelo Alvarez – if that had been to occur, it might be probably 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. No matter Crawford does subsequent, it will likely be huge information and rightfully so.
Terence Crawford (Getty Photos)
Boxing on the Field
January 14
Artur Beterbiev-Callum Smith
Sky Sports activities Enviornment
Protection begins at 2am