Boxing’s Spring Schedule: Highlights and Key Upcoming Fights
As the boxing season heats up, fans are eagerly anticipating a series of high-stakes matchups in the upcoming months. With thrilling bouts already taking place in early 2025, the landscape of the sport is shifting as fighters vie for championship titles and future opportunities.
Inoue’s Dominant Start to the Year
On January 24, Naoya Inoue, recognized as the undisputed junior featherweight champion and one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound fighters, successfully defended his four world titles against Ye Joon Kim. Initially set to face Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve, Inoue’s opponent was withdrawn from the match following two separate injuries sustained during training. Demonstrating his exceptional skill and power, Inoue dispatched Kim swiftly, setting a commanding tone for the year ahead.
Intense Rivalry in the Light Heavyweight Division
February witnessed the highly anticipated clash between two of boxing’s emerging talents, David Benavidez and David Morrell, on February 1. In a decisive performance, Benavidez secured a unanimous decision victory, positioning himself for a potential title shot against the winner of the February 22 rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. Bivol emerged victorious in that rematch, winning by majority decision, which evens their competitive record at 1-1 and suggests a likely trilogy bout in the future.
April and May Bouts Promise Excitement
Although April features a limited number of marquee matchups, the first weekend in May is packed with action. Notable fights include a tripleheader event on May 2, showcasing Ryan Garcia against Rolando Romero, Devin Haney versus Jose Ramirez, and Teofimo Lopez Jr. battling Arnold Barboza Jr. Additionally, on May 3, Canelo Alvarez will face William Scull in a highly anticipated clash to determine the undisputed super middleweight champion. The boxing action continues into May 4, where Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed junior featherweight championship against Ramon Cardenas.
Upcoming Boxing Schedule Highlights
The following table outlines key upcoming boxing events:
| Date | Location | Match | Title | Network |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 29 | Las Vegas | Mikaela Mayer (c) vs. Sandy Ryan | WBO Welterweight Title | ESPN |
| March 29 | Cancun, Mexico | William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer | Lightweights | DAZN |
| March 29 | Aichi, Japan | Angel Ayala (c) vs. Masamichi Yabuki | IBF Flyweight Title | TBA |
| March 30 | Aichi, Japan | Melvin Jerusalem (c) vs. Yudai Shigeoka | WBC Strawweight Title | TBA |
| April 5 | Astana, Kazakhstan | Janibek Alimkhanuly (c) vs. Anauel Ngamissengue | Unified Middleweight Title | ESPN+ |
| April 5 | Las Vegas | Richard Torrez Jr. vs. Guido Vianello | Heavyweights | ESPN+ |
| April 5 | Manchester, England | Joe Joyce vs. Filip Hrgovic | Heavyweights | DAZN |
| April 6 | New South Wales, Australia | Tim Tszyu vs. Joseph Spencer | Junior Middleweights | TBA |
| April 12 | Atlantic City, New Jersey | Jaron Ennis (c) vs. Eimantas Stanionis (c) | Unified Welterweight Title | DAZN |
| April 26 | London | Chris Eubank Jr. vs. Conor Benn | Middleweights | TBA |
| May 2 | New York City | Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando Romero | Junior Welterweights | DAZN PPV |
| May 3 | Riyadh | Canelo Alvarez (c) vs. William Scull (c) | Super Middleweight Unification | DAZN PPV |
| May 4 | Las Vegas | Naoya Inoue (c) vs. Ramon Cardenas | Undisputed Junior Featherweight Title | ESPN |
Conclusion: A Dynamic Period for Boxing
As the boxing calendar unfolds, the rise of emerging talents and the ongoing rivalries among established champions set a thrilling stage for what promises to be an exciting spring and summer in the sport. Fans are reminded that the landscape can change rapidly, with injuries, contractual negotiations, and other unforeseen factors influencing matchups. With stakes high in each fight, the upcoming months will be critical for fighters looking to cement their legacies in boxing history.
