After a weekend where Oleksandr Usyk consolidated his position as the best pound-for-pound boxer by defeating Daniel Dubois in five rounds, and Manny Pacquiao, the only boxing champion in eight divisions, returned after a four-year absence with a majority draw against Mario Barrios, attention is focused on the remaining boxing schedule for 2025.
Canelo Álvarez and Terence Crawford, two of the best fighters in the world, will face each other on September 13 for the undisputed super middleweight championship. But, what other great fights could be expected for the rest of 2025 and beyond?
Here are some exciting potential fights that could happen:
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joseph Parker
Before a possible trilogy with Tyson Fury, Usyk could use a fight to prepare, and facing Fury’s friend, Parker, the WBO mandatory challenger, would be a good option.
Fury confirmed he would return to the sport, but not until next year. Usyk, for his part, will seek a victory that ensures the fight against Fury. Frank Warren, of Queensberry Promotions, Parker’s promoter, looks favorably on the idea that Parker, former WBO champion, be Usyk’s next opponent.
Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), who trains with Fury in England, has revived his career with trainer Andy Lee. Since his technical knockout loss to Joe Joyce in 2022, Parker has delivered the best performances of his career.
Parker, who defended the WBO belt twice before losing it in a title unification fight against Joshua in 2018, has more experience than other high-ranking contenders. Parker’s association with Fury, which would help build the potential Usyk vs. Fury trilogy fight, and the fact that Usyk needs to fight Parker to keep the WBO belt, make Parker a better option.
Teofimo López vs. Rolando “Rolly” Romero
These two were the big winners of the surreal boxing card in Times Square in May, and it’s a logical fight for both to move towards the top of a crowded welterweight division. It’s a good matchup between the technical qualities that López possesses against the power and unpredictability that Romero demonstrated in New York.
López (22-1, 13 KOs), WBO super lightweight champion, had an improved performance on that New York card, defeating Arnold Barboza Jr. by unanimous decision, and facing Romero would be a good first step at welterweight.
Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) made a big impact when he knocked down Ryan Garcia with a left hook on his way to a unanimous decision victory, in a major upset for the WBA “regular” welterweight title. The fight would be due to the rivalry that exists between both boxers.
Anthony Joshua vs. Jake Paul
If this happens, and there are serious conversations about it, Joshua, two-time world champion, would be giving up some of his legitimacy by fighting a less competitive opponent for a lucrative payday.
Joshua (28-4, 24 KOs) hasn’t fought since he was knocked down four times in a fifth-round knockout loss to Daniel Dubois last September for the IBF world title. Elbow surgery is expected to keep Joshua out until the end of this year.
Paul, the YouTuber turned boxer, is very confident after his victory in June over Julio César Chávez Jr., but Chávez is no longer at his best and has never been at the level at which Joshua has operated. Joshua is coming off a loss, but Paul needs to revisit what Joshua did to former UFC champion Francis Ngannou just two fights ago last March. Joshua is not finished and should be fighting better opponents, such as Dubois, Itauma, Wardley or even Deontay Wilder. But fighting Paul would create interest worldwide, and it’s a fight that Joshua should easily win.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Conor Benn
With the Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr. rematch in danger of not happening on September 20 as planned, the English boxer could be looking for a big alternative fight, and WBC lightweight champion Stevenson would be an interesting option.
Stevenson (23-0, 11 KOs) would have to move up from lightweight to super lightweight to face Benn (23-1, 14 KOs), who lost a unanimous decision to Eubank in a non-title middleweight fight in April.
While Stevenson has the advantage of being a more skillful boxer after a distinguished amateur career, Benn, who only had a brief amateur career, will have the benefit of size. It’s a classic boxer versus puncher encounter.
Stevenson is coming off an entertaining and aggressive performance against William Zepeda earlier this month. Even so, it could be a fun setup with a lot of social media exchanges.
Benn might be tempted to face Stevenson while waiting to see if the rematch with Eubank will take place, or if his dream fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis can happen in 2026.
Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron
Taylor doesn’t seem to be interested in this fight, but many fans are, and it’s the next most logical fight for the Irishwoman if she decides to box. When asked about a possible trilogy fight with Cameron, Taylor said that Cameron has to prove herself once more before they face each other.
“I think Chantelle needs to see if she can sell out a 1,000-seat arena first; I think I’ve made her more money than she really deserves, to be honest,” Taylor said after her decision victory over Amanda Serrano on July 11.
After finishing all discussions with three victories in the trilogy with Serrano, Taylor should consider a third encounter with Cameron, the only woman who defeated her in the professional field. Taylor could also consider retirement after outstanding amateur and professional careers, and after helping to transform the popularity of women’s boxing.
After Taylor’s rivalry with Serrano was resolved, Cameron is now Taylor’s biggest rival. Taylor (25-1, 6 KOs), the undisputed super lightweight champion, is ranked number 2 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings, and Cameron (21-1, 8 KOs), the WBC interim champion, is ranked number 4.
Cameron inflicted Taylor’s only defeat with a majority decision in May 2023, before Taylor also took revenge in a majority decision victory in November 2023.
“They tell me I’ll fight the winner of Katie against Amanda, because I’m the WBC interim champion,” Cameron told ESPN recently. “[But] I don’t say I trust having a third fight with Katie, because the trilogy fight with her should have happened a long time ago.”
This fight probably depends on whether Taylor decides her career is over, but if it happens, it would be one of the most anticipated fights in women’s boxing for the rest of the year.
Jai Opetaia vs. Gilberto Ramírez
Opetaia, the IBF champion, has been the dominant ruler in the cruiserweight division for some years, but now has a serious rival for his crown in Ramirez, who has unified the WBA and WBO titles.
A clash between these two in a three-belt unification fight would bring a rare spotlight to the cruiserweight division, which receives less attention than other weight categories.
It’s the most logical option for Opetaia (28-0, 22 KOs) apart from moving up to heavyweight, and both fighters dream of achieving undisputed status, which could launch their careers in the heavyweight division just as it did for Oleksandr Usyk.
“I’m fed up with all the excuses and delays,” said Opetaia, referring to Ramirez, after breaking Claudio Squeo’s jaw in a knockout victory in the fifth round in June. “I respect what Ramirez has achieved, but I know I’m on another level.”
Ramírez (48-1, 30 KOs) also made a title defense last month, with a unanimous decision victory over Yuniel Dorticos. However, Ramírez was more impressive when he dominated Chris Billam-Smith in a unification fight last November.
Ramírez might be tempted to take the fight if a clash against WBC champion David Benavidez doesn’t materialize.
