It has already been said many times but it is worth reiterating... these are unprecedent and halcyon times for boxing. The biggest fights, pitting the very best against each other are now being consistently made.
Thanks to the influence of His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, we have been treated and blessed in 2024 to witness stunning fight card after stunning fight card.
We have seen the very best in the heavyweight division go against each other twice, in two epic encounters. The two greatest at light-heavyweight have competed for the undisputed crown.
We have witnessed a sold out Wembley hosting a stunning display from Daniel Dubois over Anthony Joshua, and a thrilling new 5v5 format, as Queensberry bested Matchroom.
The thrills and drama are set to be exceeded in 2025. That includes February's 'The Last Crescendo' event, which is already being billed as the greatest fight card ever put together.
Just as in 2024, the very best fights in 2025 will be live on DAZN week-in-week-out. And the New Year will also include all Queensbury fighters competing on DAZN from May, after Frank Warren and DAZN agreed a new broadcast partnership.
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As 2024 rolls into 2025, DAZN News previews the epic fights already scheduled, and the bouts that could be made.
Jai Opetaia and David Nyika in Trans-Tasman encounter
Peter Wallis/Getty Images
2025 starts literally with a bang as IBF cruiserweight Jai Opetaia hosts the unbeaten David Nyika, as Australia and New Zealand go toe-to-toe on January 8.
Nyika is a late stand in for the injured German Huseyin Cinkara, however he was already in training and targeting a future fight with Opetaia, so expect him to be sharp and ready.
For Opetaia, this is another step on the path to greatness, with a fight with Oleksandr Usyk already being touted, should the heavyweight king decide to return to the cruiserweight world.
Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol to meet again
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
On Saturday February 22, Riyadh will host what is described as the greatest fight card ever put together.
'The Last Crescendo' evening sees Daniel Dubois, Joseph Parker, Shakur Stevenson, Hamzah Sheeraz; Vergil Ortiz Jr and Zhilei Zhang all compete. It will all be live on DAZN PPV.
The headline is Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol's much anticipated rematch.
This will against be an undisputed light heavyweight contest for Beterbiev's WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring belts, after he won the original undisputed bout in October.
The two undefeated greats at the time, as expected, went toe-to-toe, with very little between the two. That was highlighted by one judge scoring the contest a 114-114 draw.
The other two went with Beterbiev to give him a majority decision verdict. But it shows this second fight could again go either way. It is not to be missed.
Daniel Dubois defends IBF title against Joseph Parker
(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
After years of being questioned, Daniel Dubois stunned and silenced the doubters with his brutal destruction of Anthony Joshua in front of a record boxing crowd at Wembley in September 2024.
With that renewed confidence and belief, Dubois has already called out Oleksandr Usyk for a second meeting between the two.
However, the IBF champion must first overcome another former world heavyweight champion in the form of Joseph Parker. The duo are the main support act on 'The Last Crescendo' card on February 22, live on DAZN PPV.
Parker held the WBO heavyweight title from 2016 to 2018 and, at 32, knows this is a huge chance to become a champion again after five straight and impressive victories.
It will be the first time in a long time Dubois will enter a fight as the favourite. It will be interesting to see how he handles that pressure and expectation against the more experienced fighter.
Dubois has the devastating power, Parker has the smarts, it is going to be a really intriguing fight.
Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr to clash in Manchester
Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing
British fighter Jack Catterall will face the unbeaten American Arnold Barboza Jr at Manchester's Co-op Live on Saturday February 15.
Chorley’s Catterall, 30-1 (13 KOs), had a superb 2024, which was capped by a superb performance against former world champion Regis Prograis, flooring him twice in the ninth round on his way to a memorable victory.
A win over Barboza Jr will hand Catterall another world title shot.
However, the former WBO International and Intercontinental 140lbs champion is on the hunt for another title shot himself after outpointing Jose Carlos Ramirez over ten rounds last time out.
The winner should set up clash with American WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Claressa Shields and Danielle Perkins in undisputed clash
Mark Brown/Getty Images
All four heavyweight world titles will be on line as Claressa Shields and Danielle Perkins go at it on February 2 at Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan.
Victory for American Shields, 15-0, would make her an undisputed champion at three weight classes, to add to her two Olympic gold medals.
Perkins, 42, may have only fought five times professionally, having had three years out of the ring, but her pedigree is there for all to see. She won the amateur world championship in 2019 and has won both her fights in 2024 since returning to action.
What about Oleksandr Usyk?
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
2025 is going to be a fascinating year for the WBO, WBA and WBC heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.
It seems a trilogy fight with Tyson Fury is a nonstarter, after beating the Manchester fighter again in December to retain his titles.
The Ukrainian has hinted at a return to cruiserweight, where he originally became the undisputed champion. That could set up a mouthwatering affair with Jai Opetaia.
However, more likely is another undisputed championship bout at heavyweight with the winner of Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker.
Usyk beat Dubois in 2023, although controversary remains after Dubois knocked down Usyk but it was deemed a low blow, a decision that proved the key moment for Usyk to go on and win.
Dubois wants the rematch and boxing wants to see another undisputed heavyweight fight.
And what about Terence Crawford?
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Rated as one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters, Terence Crawford has yet to have his next fight confirmed. But numerous names are being linked with the former undisputed welterweight world champion.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh revealed to DAZN that the February 22 card came to soon for Crawford, but is he expected to feature on a Riyadh Season card in the middle of 2025.
A super fight with unified super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez is a fantasy fight the world is hoping for.
Potentialy more likely next for Crawford, 41-0 (31 KO's), is taking on the winner of Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Israil Madrimov, who do meet on February 22.
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua, finally?
(Getty Images)
It is the fight British boxing fans are still desperate to see. After years of being touted, Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua could finally happen in 2025.
It may not be for world title honours, and some of the star shine may have faded following their respective 2024 defeats, but this would still be a gripping, explosive fight between two generational greats.
AJ showed against Francis Ngannou he still has that brutal knockout power. While, despite his two losses to Usyk, Fury demonstrated in both bouts just what an extraordinary fighter he is, with him still feeling he won both contests.
Eddie Hearn has told DAZN this fight must happen in 2025, ideally at Wembley. Let's hope both fighters still have the hunger and this finally gets made.
Who knows, if it does, then the victor could put themselves in line for another world title shot.
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