The boxers to watch out for in 2022
The boxers to watch out for in 2022
By Andy Baber
There’s no doubt that boxing is in rude health at the moment and 2022 promises to only capitalise on the sport’s popularity with a host of blockbuster fights in the making.
The heavyweight division alone is enough to get pulses racing, with Tyson Fury ordered to face WBC mandatory challenger Dillian Whyte and Anthony Joshua set for a rematch against Oleksandr Usyk.
Amir Khan and Kell Brook’s all-British grudge match has already been confirmed and in the women’s division, Katie Taylor has Amanda Serrano and Jessica McCaskill in her sights.
That’s only the tip of the iceberg as well, with Josh Taylor and Chris Eubank Jr returning to the ring in February - as well as Conor Benn going from strength to strength - while Canelo Alvarez is rumoured to be considering a step up to cruiserweight.
With a number of Olympians from Tokyo also set to begin their professional careers, it looks like being a year to savour. So, with all that said, who are the boxers to look out for in 2022?
Galal Yafai
Where better to start that one of Britain’s gold medallists from last year’s Olympics?
The 29-year-old, who is the younger brother of fellow boxers Kal and Gamal, is one of the hottest prospects in boxing after taking the top step of the podium in the flyweight division.
Precise, stylish and explosively powerful, Yafai dropped Filipino Carlo Paalam in an impressive gold-medal points victory to cap off a memorable Tokyo Games in the Kokugikan Arena.
Named as Boxing News’ Male Amateur Boxer of the Year for 2021, anticipation is high for what Yafai does next having stated he wants to be fighting for a world title within two or three years.
Shakur Stevenson
Reigning WBO super-featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson had something of a breakout year in 2021, stopping Jamel Herring in 10 rounds in a stunning display in October.
Already a two-time world champion at just 24, the Rio Olympic silver medallist seems destined to be a real star of American boxing in the years to come with his vicious approach.
With an unbeaten record of 17-0, the world is his oyster and excitement is building for the possibility of unification fights against Oscar Valdez and Kenichi Ogawa.
Should he complete his domination at 130 pounds, the opportunities that await him in the stacked lightweight division mean that 2022 could be a massive year for Stevenson.
Caroline Dubois
Another Olympian who has already confirmed her arrival in the professional ranks, Caroline Dubois has seemed destined for greatest since taking up boxing at the age of nine.
While older brother Daniel Dubois - a former British and Commonwealth champion - has hogged the limelight so far, the 20-year-old could well usurp him in the limelight in 2022.
Frustratingly denied an Olympic medal in Tokyo after losing a split decision to Thai fighter Sudaporn Seesondee in the quarter-finals, Dubois is now a woman on a mission.
She was supposed to make her pro debut in November only for illness to force a postponement but despite that setback, the stage is set for her to hit the ground running this year.
Ryan Garcia
It may have been a quiet 2021 in the main for Ryan Garcia but his thrilling victory over Luke Campbell - having climbed off the canvas - showed exactly what he’s made of.
The Californian, nicknamed the Flash KingRy, is the number two ranked lightweight in the world with the WBC and brings a lot of attention to every fight thanks to his impressive social media following.
In a star-studded division that also features the likes of Teofimo Lopez Jr., Devin Haney, George Kambosos Jr. and Vasiliy Lomachenko, the unbeaten 23-year-old has options aplenty.
A match-up with Gervonta Davis might be the pick of the bunch though, with the multi-division champion’s style contrasting enough with Garcia’s own aggressive approach to do major business.
The heavyweights
Yes, this is a bit of a cop out - but the division is set for a monster 2022.
Tyson Fury is box office whenever he fights and has already confirmed he wants to fight in March, regardless of whether the fight against Dillian Whyte can be agreed by then.
AJ also faces a decisive year in terms of his legacy. Defeat to Oleksandr Usyk in the proposed rematch could prove curtains for the popular Brit and his chances of a Fury showdown.
Deontay Wilder is expected to return to the ring after losing the trilogy fight against Fury while Derek Chisora and Joseph Parker enhanced their standing with their slugfest in December.
Let’s not forget Daniel Dubois and Joe Joyce either, who are both more than capable of upsetting the apple cart along with Tokyo Olympian Frazer Clarke and rising American star Jared Anderson.
All in all, 2022 looks set to be a huge year for boxing. Buckle up, it’s going to be a hell of a ride.
Photo Credit: Getty Images