Nick Parkinson, an ESPN.com boxing reporter with over 25 years covering British boxing, reflects on recent highlights and upcoming big fights in the sport.
Following Olexandre Usyk’s dominant pound-for-pound performance dismantling Daniel Dubois in the fifth round, legendary boxer Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring in 2025 after a four-year break with a fight against Mario Barrios. On September 13th, two top fighters, Canelo Alvarez and Terrence Crawford, will clash for the undisputed super middleweight title in a highly anticipated bout. Beyond that, Parkinson shares his top desired fight matchups for the remainder of 2025 and beyond, explaining why they should happen.
Usyk is poised for a trilogy with Tyson Fury but could first face Fury’s ally and mandatory challenger for the WBO belt, Joseph Parker. Fury indicated he’ll return next year after losing their rematch last December. Parker, a former WBO champ, revived his career recently and holds more experience than other contenders, making him a solid opponent for Usyk before the anticipated Fury fight. Meanwhile, WBC interim champion Kabayel is also calling out Usyk, but Parker’s relationship with Fury makes this a more intriguing path.
Another exciting matchup on Parkinson’s list is Teofimo Lopez versus Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Both fighters impressed in a recent Times Square card and represent contrasting styles—Lopez’s technical skill versus Romero’s raw power and unpredictability. Lopez, the WBO junior welterweight champion, is stepping up to welterweight, while Romero recently upset Ryan Garcia with a shocking knockout, signaling this fight has big drama potential.
The possibility of Anthony Joshua facing YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is also discussed. Joshua, recovering from an elbow surgery after a knockout loss to Daniel Dubois, would risk some legitimacy fighting Paul, who is still proving himself against former boxers. Despite this, a Joshua-Paul fight would attract massive global attention.
In another notable bout, WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson could face Connor Ben if Ben’s scheduled rematch with Chris Eubank Jr. doesn’t materialize. This fight would showcase Stevenson’s finesse against Ben’s power, making for a classic boxer vs. puncher showdown.
Katie Taylor might square off against Chantel Cameron next, pending Taylor’s decision to continue fighting. Cameron is Taylor’s top rival, having handed Taylor her only pro loss before Taylor avenged it later. This female boxing rivalry continues to draw substantial interest.
Lastly, the cruiserweight division gets spotlighted with Jai Opetaia defending his IBF title against unified champion Gilberto Ramirez. Both undefeated fighters aim for undisputed status, promising an intense showdown for a division that often flies under the radar.
Fan Take: This lineup of potential fights highlights the vibrant and evolving nature of boxing across weight classes and generations. These matchups could not only create thrilling moments for fans but also define legacies and the future landscape of the sport.
