Throughout 2017, fans have been treated to an abundance of top quality fights, with boxing enjoying a throwback year in which the best finally went toe to toe with the best in their respective divisions once again.
There were so many incredible match-ups to take place over the last few months, including the heavyweight title clash between Anthony Joshua and Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 fans at Wembley Arena, a bloody war between Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, as well as the awaited middleweight encounter of Gennady Golovkin versus Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
The action doesn’t stop yet in 2017 either, with there being plenty more bouts around the corner, including another middleweight world title scrap between Britain’s Billy Joe Saunders and Canadian opponent David Lemieux. The reigning WBO champion and undefeated Briton will take to the ring as the odds-on 4/5 frontrunner in the boxing betting to prevail in such a meeting this December.
After a thrilling 2017, there is an exciting double header to come next year, so here are two big fights to look forward to at the beginning of 2018 in January!
Jorge Linares v Mercito Gesta – January 27
UK fans have been treated in recent years to plenty of opportunities to witness the mercurial skills and ring talents of Venezuelan fighter Jorge Linares, having graced British soil three times since May 2015.
The hugely popular ground down a game Kevin Mitchell and sent him into retirement with a vicious display in their clash two years ago at the O2 Arena in London, before going on to beat Manchester favourite Anthony Crolla twice back to back in his own backyard across 2016 and 2017.
Linares tamed another British fighter more recently when he outpointed a solid Luke Campbell, winning a split decision at The Forum in California back in September. Next up for him is a clash with Mercito Gesta on January 27th back at the scene of his last victory over Yorkshireman Campbell. Another stylish showing is expected from Linares in the third defence of his WBA lightweight title.
Lucas Martin Matthysse v Tewa Kiram – January 27
On that same exciting bill on January 27 in California, war-ready Lucas Matthysse makes his latest appearance against Thailand challenger Tewa Kiram.
On the Linares undercard as part of this superb double header, ‘the Machine’ will look to continue his impressive comeback from a previous long lay off. The Argentine fighter was absent from the ring for two years following a brutal loss at the hands of Ukrainian giant Viktor Postol in October 2015.
The highly aggressive 35-year-old is aiming to get back in the mix for world titles and will next tackle the unbeaten Kiram on American soil, following up on his return success over Emmanuel Taylor, when he stopped the American in five rounds in their May meeting. Along with Linares, Matthysse will hope to enjoy a strong surge in 2018, beginning with this exciting double header in January.