We’ve already passed this year’s halfway point and witnessed some great fights. However, there’s still a lot of time left before the end of the year and several promising boxers to keep an eye on as 2023 approaches.
The greatest boxers of any generation have something in common: relentless training schedules. There’s always an opponent waiting in the wings to unseat the current title holder, so maintaining their form is a top priority. When we think of the top boxers of 2022, many names come to mind, including welterweight Errol Spence and super middleweight Canelo Alvarez. In the heavyweight category, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury are among the best. In this article, we look at the boxers to watch in 2022.
Devin Haney
Devin Haney has given boxing fans a lot to watch during his career. The young boxer holds the WBO, IBF, WBA (Super), WBC, and The Ring lightweight titles, an unprecedented achievement he accomplished after defeating George Kambosos Jr. at Marvel Stadium in Australia.
Many boxing fans participate in online betting and, given his recent performances in the ring, Haney is an overwhelming fan favourite. Haney had planned to try out for the Olympics in 2016, but a rule change led him to turn pro in Mexico instead. He’s been unstoppable ever since and has already accomplished what many of the world’s top boxers never achieve during their careers. Haney is a boxing superstar worth watching this year and beyond.
Jared Anderson
Jared Anderson has racked up an impressive record since making his professional debut in 2019. The heavyweight boxer hasn’t lost a fight in the 11 bouts he’s fought in his career, with all of his wins coming from knockouts or technical knockouts.
Although he hasn’t yet won a heavyweight championship, the 22-year-old has the size and skills to get there eventually. It’s no surprise Anderson has performed so well; Tyson Fury was his former sparring partner, so he’s trained with the best. However, he’ll need to face a boxer like Carlos Takam, Sergey Kuzmin, or Derek Chisora if he hopes to become a real contender.
If he has the same success against experienced fighters as he’s had against lower-level boxers, he may have a shot at the heavyweight title by the end of 2022.
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Ryan Garcia
Ryan Garcia had an impressive run in 2021, scoring what many considered one of the year’s best knockouts. So, it’s not surprising that people had high expectations of Garcia going into 2022. The lightweight boxer showed that he still has what it takes to win in his first fight of this year against Emmanuel Tagoe in April, maintaining his undefeated record over 23 bouts.
All eyes were on Garcia as he and Javier Fortuna face off at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles on July 16, 2022. Fortuna was arguably the toughest challenger Garcia has faced, making Garcia’s victory more impressive. Garcia is a product of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions and has trained with the best, including Canelo Alvarez, so he knows how to succeed in the ring.
Tony Yoka
Tony Yoka is another up-and-coming boxer with a promising future. The heavyweight won gold at the Olympics in 2016 before going pro in 2017 and boasts a solid 11-1 record with nine knockouts. However, the French boxer recently turned 30 years old and still hasn’t reached contender status, despite the hype surrounding him. He hasn’t competed as frequently as other boxers in his weight class.
The average title contender takes on four or five bouts a year, and Yoka has only once competed more than two times in a year. However, when he’s in the ring, he shows that he has what it takes to win. If he were more active, he would arguably be a leading contender. However, his loss to Martin Bakole earlier this year may put his career on hold. Only time will tell if this talented boxer ever lives up to his potential.