Shock knockouts, drama, comebacks, crushing defeats and epic slogfests – 2021 really had it all inside the squared circle.
Rivalries were settled – we saw Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder wrap up their trilogy once and for all – with the Gypsy King emerging victorious and confirming himself as the man to beat in the heavyweight division.
Elsewhere, giants fell and a new one rose up. Anthony Joshua lost his three world titles in a comprehensive defeat to Oleksandr Usyk, who could now set off on a conquest for undisputed champion.
We’ve seen Floyd Mayweather roll back the years against a YouTuber. Canelo Alvarez had time to conquer yet another weight division. Britain gained a new cruiserweight world champion in Lawrence Okolie, while Dillian Whyte continued his rocky road to a title challenge by avenging his stoppage defeat to Alexander Povetkin by pulling off one of his own.
But there are still plenty of t’s to cross and i’s to dot in the sport – with many fighters yet to square off despite a war of words and fan interest, while there are titles that need unifying, unbeaten records that must be tested and contests that are still a mouthwatering prospect.
Sportsmail goes through some of the biggest match-ups we would love to see take place in the new year.
TYSON FURY VS DILLIAN WHYTE
Everything points towards this one happening after the WBC ordered Fury to face Whyte as his mandatory – possibly in February, but the heavyweight landscape is so unpredictable.
Whyte – who launched a legal bid against the WBC to ensure he became next in line to face Fury – has been waiting some time for a world title shot but no one would’ve put money on him facing Fury before Anthony Joshua. His rival’s loss to Oleksandr Usyk has changed the game.
Fury has already told his promoter Bob Arum he wants to face The Body Snatcher in his next fight but has been dismissive of his chances, while Fury’s UK-based promoter Frank Warren warned the Brixton-born star he would only be offered 30 per cent of the prize pot.
An domestic clash with a world title on the line would be hugely exciting, and with Whyte’s explosive style mixed with Fury’s evasiveness and movement – it promises to be entertaining should it be agreed.
Sportsmail revealed that Fury’s camp have opened talks with Whyte, but Arum said it all hinges on the future of AJ vs Usyk.
‘I think Dillian Whyte should be the next fight for Tyson Fury but there is talk about Usyk who beat Joshua, but Joshua is not going to step aside until he is guaranteed the winner of Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk,’ said Arum.
‘And how can anybody assure him of that with Whyte in the mandatory position? The way I think it will fall out is Fury against Whyte which I believe Top Rank will co-promote with Frank Warren and can be held in the UK.’
TYSON FURY VS OLEKSANDR USYK
Expect to see this at some point – even if it’s not 2022. The Gypsy King will have to get past the Ukranian at some point if he beats Joshua for a second time next Spring, but if Joshua agrees to step aside, then we could see this undisputed clash in 2022.
Fury believes he has a much better chance of beating Usyk than Joshua – and urged his British rival to cancel his rematch to keep their hopes of facing each other alive. Warren has already confirmed the ‘step aside’ negotiations are underway, but whether Joshua would be prepared to swallow his pride and give up the chance to reclaim his titles is another matter entirely.
Usyk’s promoter Alexander Krassyuk said his man was open to the fight should Joshua move aside.
‘I heard that Joshua could consider stepping aside if the money is right as he feels respect to the division and is willing to let the undisputed heavyweight championship happen,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘Usyk says that he can fight Fury next if the offer is right and if AJ allows to do so.’
Arum added: ‘If Joshua decides not to exercise his rematch against Usyk and decides to step aside, the fight we would like to make is between Usyk and Fury.
‘Then Joshua can fight the winner of the undisputed fight. That’s what Tyson would like. And I represent Tyson. That is his preference.’
