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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 13: Oscar De La Hoya speaking to the media during the CANELO VS. ROCKY Final Press Conference at Madison Square Garden Dcember 13, 2018 in New York City . (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 13: Oscar De La Hoya speaking to the media during the CANELO VS. ROCKY Final Press Conference at Madison Square Garden Dcember 13, 2018 in New York City . (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
Boxing had a terrible 2020, where it saw both the sides of glory and failure.
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COVID-19 tussles forced the sport to carry on without live attendance and gate sales. However, it was still a successful year for boxing where we saw some serious fights happen.
That said, Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya envisions an even bigger year in 2021. According to De La Hoya, the coming year can potentially be the biggest calendar for boxing in recent times, citing the advent of some nail-biting fights.
However, the former world champion advised the active boxers to accept those challenges without hiding behind their managers or promoters.
De La Hoya invited Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Canelo Alvarez and many others to bring a mesmerizing 2021 during his interaction with Gareth A Davies.
The Golden Boy CEO said, “Looking forward, I think boxing’s calendar is going to one of the best that we have seen in recent years, including a potential fight, you know. For instance, between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.”
He added, “When you look at the lightweight division, you know, starting with Ryan Garcia and Luke Campbell. You have ‘Tank’ Davis, you have Haney, you have Teofimo, Stevenson, Canelo.”
De La Hoya continued, “You have all these fighters if they are willing to fight each other and put all the businesses aside and all the politics aside, if these fighters make these fights happen and not hide behind their managers and promoters. Then we can have, you know, potentially the biggest year in boxing.”
Boxing in the upcoming year
Amid all the possible blockbuster fights, several cross-promotions events are also likely to happen. Katie Taylor is willing to box MMA great Cris Cyborg, and Manny Pacquiao also desired to face Conor McGregor.
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 02: Katie Taylor celebrates victory over Christina Linardatou during the WBO World Super-Lightweight Championship bout at Manchester Arena on November 02, 2019 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
If everything falls in place, 2021 can materialize these two fights. But boxing doesn’t need to rely on the cross-overs to satisfy their fans. They have several fights on the radar and promoters will try to work out their way through it.
So, it’s safe to bill 2021 as a promising year for the sport and fight fans have all the reasons to remain hyped.