WBN has decided to veer away from the traditional ’17 fights’ to compile a list of the top 50 boxing fights that fans should get to see in 2020.
Alongside that compilation, World Boxing News will choose a ‘starred’ bout, which will ultimately be that one encounter to represent any given division.
It’s been a good year for fight fans, but also a worrying one. The trend of non-boxers competing in the ring has blighted the sport.
Plus, judging decisions are once again a frustration, whilst the top contenders avoiding each other carried on a rancid trend.
There were a few highlights, but they were few and far between. It’s hoped a lot more top-quality action is to come this year.
Beginning at minimumweight, we now list 50 punch-ups to make any punter drool at the prospect.
MINIMUMWEIGHT – 105 lbs
Wanheng Menayothin vs Knockout CP Freshmart ⭐
There’s no contest at 105 pounds. Making the 74-0 strawweight super-fight is the only order of business in the lowest division.
LIGHT-FLYWEIGHT – 108 lbs
Ken Shiro vs Hiroto Kyoguchi ⭐
Pitching the two champions together on home soil in Japan would be THE unification fight of 108 pounds.
FLYWEIGHT – 112 lbs
Kosei Tanaka vs JC Martinez ⭐
Tanaka vs. Martinez has quickly escalated over the course of 2019. Tanaka is all dominant and a three-weight title holder already. Whilst Martinez proved to be a solid puncher with exceptional skills in what was a breakout year.
Kosei Tanaka vs Moruti Mthalane
JC Martinez vs Moruti Mthalane
Kosei Tanaka vs Artem Dalakian
JC Martinez vs Artem Dalakian
Artem Dalakian vs Moruti Mthalane
SUPER-FLYWEIGHT – 115 lbs
Roman Gonzalez vs Srisaket Sor Rungvisai III ⭐
The pair fought twice, with an argument for one win apiece. But with Jerwin Ancajas, Juan Estrada, and Kazuto Ioka all potentially moving up in 2020, Gonzalez vs. Srisaket could prove the fight to make at 115 pounds.
Kal Yafai vs Jerwin Ancajas
Jerwin Ancajas vs Kazuto Ioka
Juan Estrada vs Jerwin Ancajas
Kazuto Ioka vs Juan Estrada
Juan Estrada vs Kal Yafai
Roman Gonzalez vs Juan Estrada II
BANTAMWEIGHT – 118 lbs
Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire II ⭐
After one of the greatest fights in recent years, who wouldn’t want to see Inoue vs. Donaire II in 2020? Donaire has the chance to win the WBC title, which would then make it even more lucrative for three versions of the 118 pounds strap.
Naoya Inoue vs John Riel Casimero
Naoya Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka
Juan Estrada vs Naoya Inoue
Naoya Inoue vs Jerwin Ancajas
SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT – 122 lbs
Rey Vargas vs Daniel Roman ⭐
Let’s get it on – Vargas vs. Roman for a trio of belts at 122.
Emanuel Navarrete vs Rey Vargas
FEATHERWEIGHT – 126 lbs
Josh Warrington vs Shakur Stevenson ⭐
The prospect of the pair sharing a right has been long-talked-about. Now both are champions. It could be on the cards in 2020.
Michael Conlan vs. Shakur Stevenson
Gary Russell Jr. vs Michael Conlan
SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT – 130 lbs
Leo Santa Cruz vs Carl Frampton III ⭐
The duo promised the fans a third fight. Let’s hope it finally happened in 2020.
Leo Santa Cruz vs Miguel Berchelt
Carl Frampton vs. Miguel Berchelt
Oscar Valdez vs Carl Frampton
Leo Santa Cruz vs Oscar Valdez
LIGHTWEIGHT – 135 lbs
Vasyl Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez ⭐
The young buck versus the old master would be a special fight for three world titles at lightweight.
Vasyl Lomachenko vs Gervonta Davis
Gervonta Davis vs Teofimo Lopez
Gervonta Davis vs Lee Selby
Devin Haney vs. Lee Selby
Gervonta Davis vs Devin Haney
SUPER-LIGHTWEIGHT – 140 lbs
Jose Ramirez vs Josh Taylor ⭐
Whenever there’s a chance to push two fighters together for four versions of the championship, it must be taken. Here’s hoping.
Josh Taylor vs Regis Prograis II
Mikey Garcia vs. Regis Prograis
Regis Prograis vs. Jose Ramirez
Mikey Garcia vs. Vasyl Lomachenko
Mikey Garcia vs. Josh Taylor
WELTERWEIGHT – 147 lbs
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II ⭐
Seeing these two legends face each other again before the curtain finally comes down is the least the fans deserve.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Errol Spence Jr.
Terence Crawford vs. Errol Spence Jr.
Terence Crawford vs. Manny Pacquiao
Errol Spence Jr. vs Shawn Porter II
SUPER-WELTERWEIGHT – 154 lbs
Jermell Charlo vs Julian Williams ⭐
In what’s becoming one of the lowest-rated divisions, Charlo vs Williams is the standout fight.
MIDDLEWEIGHT – 160 lbs
Jermall Charlo vs Chris Eubank Jr. ⭐
With the 160 pounds superstars all considering campaigning at 168 for the new year, it could be down to Charlo and Eubank Jr. to give the fans something to shout about.
Canelo vs Jaime Munguia
SUPER-MIDDLEWEIGHT – 168 lbs
Canelo vs Gennadiy Golovkin III ⭐
It’s a saga that needs an ending. What better way to do that than to pitch them together on May 2, 2020, in Las Vegas to settle it finally?
Canelo vs. Billy Joe Saunders
Canelo vs. Callum Smith
Callum Smith vs. Billy Joe Saunders
Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Callum Smith
Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Billy Joe Saunders
Billy Joe Saunders vs. Daniel Jacobs
Gennadiy Golovkin vs Daniel Jacobs II
Callum Smith vs. Daniel Jacobs
Callum Smith vs John Ryder II
LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT – 175 lbs
Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol ⭐
Two Russian powerhouses colliding with belts flying everywhere would be an awesome sight.
Canelo vs Artur Beterbiev
Artur Beterbiev vs Gilberto Ramirez
Canelo vs Dmitry Bivol
Canelo vs Gilberto Ramirez
Dmitry Bivol vs Gilberto Ramirez
CRUISERWEIGHT – 200 lbs
Canelo vs Andre Ward ⭐
Another poor division with virtually no depth. Therefore, Canelo moving up to cruiserweight to face a returning Andre Ward would be the dream.
HEAVYWEIGHT – 200 lbs+
Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury III ⭐
With Wilder and Fury already meeting on February 22nd in one of the biggest heavyweight fights in twenty years, a trilogy would be great to see on the agenda for the summer.
Deontay Wilder vs. Anthony Joshua
Anthony Joshua vs. Tyson Fury
Beyond those three, there isn’t too much to write home about.
