Through curtain raisers for boxing in 2025, Naoya Inoue massacred a Korean almost no one outside of Southeast Asia had heard of until last weekend. On February 8, Derek Chisora will likely flatten Otto Wallin as he comes out of retirement once again.
Japan's Inoue remains the undisputed super bantamweight world champion and is still undefeated in 29 fights in a career of dominance across four divisions. Chisora is still ranked among the top 10 heavyweights on the planet.
But in truth, while Inoue is rightly hailed as one of the top three pound-for-pound boxers on Earth and 41-year-old Chisora continues to defy father time, the Japanese monster should be fighting elite opponents and It is worrying that The Good Boy Who Calls Himself War is still putting his health and life on the line at his ring point.
So, to inject life into boxing and brighten up 2025, here are my magnificent seven:
1 and 2: double blow in Saudi
February 22 (confirmed), Reino Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Daniel Dubois v Joseph ParkerFIA World Heavyweight Championship
In his second title defense after his crushing of Anthony Joshua, our dynamite Daniel must win against Parker, the reborn former world champion from New Zealand, to secure that mega million fight with Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown later of this year.
Daniel Dubois (left) and Joseph Parker will face each other in Saudi in four weeks
Dubois brutally knocked down Joshua last year and has earned a big shot
Artur Bederbiev v Dmitry Bivol 2, Undisputed World Lightweight Championship
A rematch between the two best light heavyweights of this era for the undisputed world championship, after Bederbiev claimed that prize with a split decision over bivol in Saudi in October.
Hurry to Riyadh for this second helping of a classic dish. Although hopefully it will be served warmer than the first high-tech duel, in which Bederbiev bested his Russian brother and was adjudged victorious, no matter how loudly the bivol team cried robbery.
Beterbiev (right) and Bivol met in a thunderous light weight clash in Saudi in October
3. For the love of old times
Chris Eubank Snr v Nigel Benn
June 15 (Father's Day), Courtyard, Royal Veterans Hospital, Chelsea, London
Ilushage thinking this one, but not beyond all limits of possibility, as these famous parents would still have a lot more to offer than their children in their artificially contrived and mass-hyped clash now scheduled for April 26.
And let's not forget that Chris Snr and Nigel have never stopped asking for their trilogy, after Eubank won by TKO in 1990 and the rematch was drawn.
It's time for Chris Eubank Snr (left) and Nigel Benn to make their trilogy a reality
Eubank SNR won the first fight in 1990 before a drawn rematch (pictured) in 1993
4. Finally
Tyson Fury v Anthony Joshua
June 24 (summer day), Wembley Stadium, London
For bragging rights and megatrash out. Can the gypsy king really resist a single return from his last retreat? When another hundred million dollars of Saudi oil money is in the pot? When would this be Wembley's biggest party of the year?
PS – Referee: Oleksandr Usyk. Why not the best heavyweight in the world to send this pair on their way into the sunset?
Can AJ resurrect his flagging career with a final Gypsy King blockbuster?
Tyson Fury claims to have retired (again), but this offer would surely put him in the ring
5. Cinco de Mayo
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez v Conor McGregor
May 5, Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, USA
Finally, a big fight on the Strip, where Canelo likes to celebrate Mexico's patriotic Cinco de Mayo.
Under a revised three-spill rule, this fight would not stop before the notorious Irishman is knocked senseless for the third time. Having received as much time as he needs to stagger from the first two flattenings and into a surplus punishment.
Well, it's McGregor who has been begging for this fight in all his millions. Enjoy.
Canelo often celebrates Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas, what better way to mark the Mexican holiday this year than former UFC champion Conor McGregor in a crossover bout?
McGregor (left) fought back against Floyd Mayweather before being overtaken
6. Independence weekend
Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez v Terence Crawford
September 13 (agreed in principle), Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, USA
Boxing isn't staying in Las Vegas like it used to, but it is scheduled to return to one of the biggest fights of this or many years.
Thanks, once again, to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh and his Saudi gold bar.
Canelo and Bud have talked about Türkiye. Crawford is willing to move up to most or both of Boundage's divisions for the enrichment of his career spanning undisputed world titles in two divisions.
More untold riches are tempting Alvarez into another big fight to kick off Mexico's independence weekend at home from home. And they thought the F1 Grand Prix was the hottest night on the Strip.
Canelo is fiercely proud of his Mexican heritage, but Las Vegas is his home fight
Canelo V Crawford (left) is one of the most anticipated fights in recent years
7. 'Tis the season to be happy
Daniel Dubois v Oleksandr Usyk 2Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship
Usyk (right) won the first meeting against DuBois in Poland in August 2023
December 20, sand of the kingdom, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Dynamite Daniel and Oleksandr The Cat reunites at the end of a year they called in shape just before it began.
DuBois will look to avenge his previous loss in 2023 against AJ's conqueror and the Gypsy King, and join the hallowed ranks of undisputed world champions in the four-belt era.
Usyk to confirm his status as a boxer of this century, at least so far, by becoming an undisputed champion for the third time in two divisions.