Wednesday 20 July 2016 07:22, UK
We all know boxing is booming as a sport - but what are the future match-ups that can propel it even further? We've picked five...
An obvious place to start. Wilder is calling for it and at some point in 2017, you'd expect this showdown to be firmly in the offing. Although the American boasts more than twice as many fights, twice as many knockouts and the coveted WBC world heavyweight title, IBF king Joshua has quickly become one of the sport's most marketable names.
In a division traditionally ruled by Americans, Wilder is their sole world champion. On paper, Joshua can't match his compatriot, WBA 'Super' and WBO title holder Tyson Fury, but because of the exposure gained from Olympic success and his flawless run of knockouts, the Londoner has played a key role in bringing boxing to a wider audience. A stadium fight against Wilder would compound that commercial success and provide him with a defining moment.
It was a soap opera that captured a lot of attention ahead of their first clash in May 2011 and you'd expect more of the same plus a fight to do it justice this time around. Since Groves' unexpected and controversial victory over his rival at The O2, much water has passed under the bridge but the animosity between the two Londoners could be swiftly awoken.
DeGale went through a difficult period after that high-profile defeat and fought in places such as Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent and Frederikshavn in Denmark. He has clawed his way back admirably and is now IBF world super-middleweight champion, of course, so a rematch with Groves is reliant on 'Chunky' feeling he has a score to settle. Groves, meanwhile, is determined to get over the world title line at the fourth attempt, and what can be sweeter than doing that by dethroning his old enemy?
One for the boxing purists, this. Two endlessly-talented southpaw technicians who are determined to deny Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez control of the super-welterweight division. Lara has already fought the Mexican in July 2014 and many thought the split decision was harsh on him. Andrade has fought just four times in three years but with contractual disputes now behind him, believes he can prove himself the king at 154lbs.
Andrade's systematic stoppage win over Willie Nelson last time out suggested he's on his way to great things and Lara already holds the WBA world title. They say two southpaws often cancel each other out but the sheer speed and natural ability on show if and when the pair meet will be something to behold. Alvarez, meanwhile, is expected to relieve Liam Smith of the WBO crown on September 17, so it's a division on the verge of revolution.
To use an old boxing cliche, these two simply don't like each other. Much like DeGale and Groves, they shared a controversial opening bout which was awarded to Saunders on a split decision. That confirmed him as British, Commonwealth and European middleweight champion but he has since gone on to outbox Andy Lee to pick up the WBO world title.
Eubank Jr has just missed out on facing the division's biggest name in Gennady Golovkin, and his future plans are up in the air. With his skills vastly improved since his sole career defeat in November 2014, would Eubank Jr be a sensible move for Saunders, who has fought only twice since? The boxing politics surrounding the rematch would be tricky, but most boxing fans would relish the chance to see these two in the same press conference again - let alone the same ring.
Most people walking down the street would not know who Lomachenko is and, in some ways, why should they? Admittedly the Ukrainian was a phenomenal amateur but he's only seven fights into a professional career and he lost one of those. The only reasons to take note of him really is that he's already a two-weight world champion and might be one of the best pound-for-pound boxers on the planet.
The likelihood is that Lomachenko will defend the WBO super-featherweight title he recently took from Roman Martinez in brutal fashion. Walters rejected an initial offer to face Lomachenko on financial grounds - even after the two-time Olympic champion reportedly attempted to sweeten the deal with a £300,000 win bonus. Let's hope they can thrash out details sooner rather than later because the Jamaican is one of the few fighters who poses a threat to 'Hi-Tech.'
