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5 Fights Boxing Needs in 2021 to Beat the UFC: Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua, Cris Cyborg vs Katie Taylor Make the List

Published 01/09/2021, 6:03 AM EST

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Boxing saw some of its finest fights happen in 2020, and the seeds for even bigger fights have been planted. While COVID-19 wreaked havoc all over the globe, boxing kept the show running and didn’t deprive its fans of mega-events.

That said, it also brought fan-attendance with Gervonta Davis vs Leo Santa Cruz and did everything they could to entertain the loyal fans. However, boxing is often accused of stacking up their super fights rather than booking them.

The current scenario also has several such contests that allure the fans but aren’t close to meet fruition. But 2021 looks like a promising year for the sport, and these proposed fights can actually happen in the ongoing calendar.

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While UFC constantly challenges boxing on the global market, some super boxing fights can surpass UFC in 2021. Although UFC has also staged some big fights, the below-mentioned boxing clashes are way too alluring for the hardcore fight fans.

2021 and Boxing

Ryan Garcia has kicked off the year with a sensational win over Luke Campbell in their recent clash on January 2. Following the saga, several divisions have such fights that can entertain the fans for all the obvious reasons. Here’s a look at those fights that we can expect in 2021.

Errol Spence Jr. vs Terence Crawford- Welterweight boxing at its best

The undefeated welterweights have touted to face each other for a long time. Both Errol Spence Jr. (unified champion) and Terence Crawford (WBO champion) have retained their respective world titles against Danny Garcia and Kell Brook in 2020.

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Meanwhile, Crawford has also parted ways with the Top Rank banner and can slide in as a free agent into the upcoming tale. So, it makes sense to unify the belts by staging ‘The Truth’ against ‘Bud’. Boxing fans have constantly demanded the fight, and 2021 looks like the perfect year for it.

Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua- Heavyweight title unification in boxing

Tyson Fury has the WBC belt; Anthony Joshua has the WBO, WBA, and IBF titles. Boxing administrators further need to unify the belts under one man’s name. Apart from that, Fury vs Joshua is the Ultimate British heavyweight showdown that has been alluring the boxing community for years.

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As Joshua successfully defended his belts against Pulev in December, it sets the stage for the heavyweight blockbuster with Fury. Both the champions have also agreed to fight each other. So, it’s currently the most-preferred fight to happen in 2021. Akin to the fans, several boxing experts are also waiting to see the outcome.

Jose Ramirez vs Josh Taylor- The super lightweight thriller

The super lightweight classic can determine even the future of the blooming super lightweight roster. Undefeated Ramirez has the WBC and WBO super lightweight titles. Josh Taylor also has a similar fortune with an unbeaten record and the IBF and WBA super lightweight straps. Irrespective of the title picture, Taylor vs Ramirez appears an interesting clash as it will be an orthodox vs southpaw fight.

According to the plans, the fight should happen in early 2021. After that, the super lightweights can turn their attention to the lightweight unit and face the champions over there.

Ryan Garcia vs Gervonta Davis- Boxing at its best

Following a TKO win over Luke Campbell, WBC Interim lightweight champion Ryan Garcia has called out WBA titleholder Gervonta Davis. The undefeated youngsters are touted to lock horns next. While the lightweight roster is filled with undefeated champions, none of them have fought each other. Garcia vs Davis can buck the trend and determine a legitimate modern-day classic for the boxing fans.

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Katie Taylor vs Cris Cyborg- Women’s crossover

2021 can stage the massive crossover bout between unified lightweight champion Katie Taylor and Bellator MMA champion Cris Cyborg. Following the Mayweather vs McGregor bout in 2017, Taylor vs Cyborg can be the first-ever crossover event of such a caliber in women’s combat history.

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Matchroom CEO Eddie Hearn and Bellator President Scott Coker are already in talks to stage the epic event. Both Taylor and Cyborg have also accepted to fight each other, paving the way for some good news to the fight fans this year.

There are several more fights on the list, but the uncanny politics in boxing can hamper the matchups Do you see all the above-mentioned fights happening in 2021?

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Written by:

Raj Sarkar

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A senior boxing writer at EssentiallySports, Raj Sarkar is a mass media graduate who is currently pursuing his master’s degree in broadcast journalism. In addition to his current role, he has worked with the MMA team at EssentiallySports and has interviewed prominent fighters such as Ritu Phogat and 'The Red King' Rory MacDonald. He combined his bachelor's degree with his adoration for combat sports and has a combined 2000 plus bylines in MMA and boxing over the last two years.
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