Page 19 - Boxing News Magazine (January 2020)

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

WHY ME?
At irst, Sheika is
reluctant to discuss
his boxing career
Photo: ANDREAS RENTZ/
BONGARTS/GETTY IMAGES

. ANTHONY JOSHUA . CANELO ALVAREZ VS . ERROL SPENCE JNR VS
2 VS TYSON FURY 3 GENNADY GOLOVKIN III 4 TERENCE CRAWFORD

SUCH is the nature of the heavyweight division IN America, this might well be the number one THE two unbeaten welterweight titlists are
as things stand, any fight involving the top fight to make in 2020. Their first two meetings regarded by many as top five pound-for-
three facing each other would be one of the will go down as modern classics, and Golovkin pound, and it would be deliciously difficult
biggest in the sport. While Fury doesn’t hold has been alarmingly unfortunate not to have to pick a winner. Spence – a monstrous
an official world title, he has a strong claim come out of them with a win (the first was 147-pounder with exceptional skill – has
to being the best heavyweight in the world a very controversial draw, with Canelo just unified titles and scalped some big names
and, like a Joshua-Wilder fight, this bout would nicking the return). There is serious unfinished on his side of the political divide. Crawford
produce a consensus number one. business here. has moved through the weights (becoming
The two Brits have, naturally, been on each Canelo – the biggest draw in the sport – has undisputed super-lightweight king in the
other’s radar for some time. As far as we jumped up in weight since their second fight, process) and could well be the best fighter
know, serious talks between their respective but could well be heading back to 160lbs in the world. This fight would sit alongside
teams are yet to take place, but were they again, where Golovkin holds world honours history’s great welterweight scraps.
to meet it would be the biggest fight in once more. Of course, with Crawford at Top Rank and
British boxing history. Contrasting styles, In a perfect world, this trilogy fight would Spence with PBC, it would take a gargantuan
personalities and stories, these two seem have already happened – it’s undeniable that effort to get this made. Spence is also
almost destined to collide at some point. “GGG” has slowed down somewhat since he recovering from injuries he sustained in a car
With Fury firmly tied to ESPN in the States last fought Canelo. With both fighters signed accident – he escaped with no serious injuries,
and Joshua to streaming service DAZN, this is to DAZN, and neither having anything concrete but there have been no clear-cut updates
another dream fight currently being blocked lined up yet, the chances look good for this on his immediate future, so things remain
by broadcasting issues. one. unclear. Plus, while it is an outstanding fight,
LIKELIHOOD: 2/10 LIKELIHOOD: 8/10 neither man is a proven superstar and it’s
unlikely a fight between them in 2020 would
be a crossover hit. But, for once, maybe
boxing could get out of its own way and make
the fights that need to happen – particularly
for Crawford who, at 32, is running out of
opportunities to cement his legacy.
LIKELIHOOD: 2/10

Photo: ACTION IMAGES/STEVE MARCUS Photo: JOE CAMPOREALE/USA TODAY SPORTS Photo: ACTION IMAGES/ANDREW COULDRIDGE

w w w . b o x i n g n e w s o n l i n e . n e t JANUARY 9, 2020 O BOXING NEWS O 17