Dive into the latest boxing updates, including Naoya Inoue’s upcoming bout, Ryan Garcia’s road to recovery, and Teofimo Lopez’s uncertain plans. Get the scoop on the biggest fights and what’s next for your favorite stars in the boxing world
Inoue’s Next Steps and Potential Showdowns
As Naoya Inoue, the world’s premier pound-for-pound boxer, gears up to defend his undisputed junior featherweight title against TJ Doheny on Tuesday, September 5 (ESPN+, 5:45 a.m. ET), his future is already brimming with potential matchups. Inoue, coming off a thrilling victory over Luis Nery at the Tokyo Dome, could be on the verge of a massive fight with bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani. Such a bout might not only set records at the Tokyo Dome but could also surpass the financial allure of a potential clash with Gervonta “Tank” Davis in Las Vegas.
The weight disparity between Inoue and Davis (with Davis fighting three classes above Inoue) makes their fight seem unlikely, but a showdown with Nakatani remains a strong possibility for next year. Inoue’s popularity in Japan contrasts sharply with his relative rarity in U.S. arenas, where a Tank Davis match could command significant pay-per-view revenue.
Ryan Garcia’s Comeback Challenges
Ryan Garcia’s boxing return is highly anticipated but faces several hurdles. Garcia won’t be eligible to fight until April 20, a year after his controversial no-contest against Devin Haney, which followed a positive test for the banned substance ostarine. Since then, Garcia has faced personal and legal troubles, including arrest and expulsion from the WBC for racial slurs.
The major question now is Garcia’s readiness. While a rematch with Haney remains a high-profile possibility, Garcia will need to prove his fitness and may benefit from a preliminary bout before diving back into the deep end. The rematch, ideally at 147 pounds, could be a crucial test of his return to form.
Crawford’s Future: Canelo and Beyond
Terence Crawford’s immediate future seems focused on securing a high-stakes fight with Canelo Alvarez at 168 pounds. Despite Crawford’s recent foray into the 154-pound division, he’s eyeing this challenge as a way to cement his legacy and secure a monumental payday. If this dream fight doesn’t materialize, Crawford might turn to a bout with unified junior middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora.
Crawford’s plans suggest he’s less inclined towards a rematch with Ismail Madrimov, whose highly debated decision loss did not spark enough demand for a return match. Madrimov could, however, find a significant opportunity against Vergil Ortiz Jr., potentially setting up a major fight on the horizon.
Zhilei Zhang’s Potential Matchups
Zhilei Zhang, coming off a spectacular TKO win over Deontay Wilder, is poised for a major fight. Zhang’s recent bouts have been on Riyadh Season cards, and he’s being considered for another high-profile match. Options include a rematch with Joseph Parker, although this seems less likely given the lackluster nature of their previous bout.
Agit Kabayel, who recently defeated Frank Sanchez, and Martin Bakole are other potential opponents. Bakole’s knockout win over Jared Anderson positions him as a strong contender for Zhang. Promoter Turki Alalshikh is considering staging this bout in either Africa or China, potentially setting the stage for a future shot at Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, or Anthony Joshua.
Looking Ahead to Riyadh Season and More
The February Riyadh Season card could be a blockbuster event, with potential matchups including Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. Also on the horizon is a lightweight title unification between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda. Joshua-Dubois and Usyk-Fury rematches scheduled for December 21 could influence the lineup for February. The outcome of these fights may pave the way for an anticipated Fury-Joshua showdown, contingent on both fighters securing big wins.
Teofimo Lopez’s Uncertain 2024
Teofimo Lopez’s boxing journey in 2024 appears rocky after his planned bout with Brian Norman Jr. was scrapped. Lopez’s underwhelming performances against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett have overshadowed his earlier success. With Lopez taking the remainder of 2024 off, his future remains uncertain, though a return to action against top contenders like Devin Haney or Gervonta Davis could reignite his career.
As the boxing world heats up with these thrilling prospects and significant matchups, fans can look forward to an exciting lineup of fights and dramatic storylines in the coming months.
