2021 was quite the year for boxing fans, with plenty of exceptional fights taking place. Both David Haye and Evander Holyfield made their boxing comebacks this year, with David Haye fighting Joe Fournier and Evander Holyfield taking the place of Oscar De La Hoya to fight Vitor Belfort.
Most fans are looking forward to 2022 and the matches it will bring. Already rumours are circulating about the fights we can expect in 2022 and the comebacks we might see. Here are Geezers Boxing’s predictions for the most anticipated boxing matches 2022.
Tyson Fury’s anticipated matches
It is set to be a big year for Tyson Fury, with three huge fights rumoured to be taking place in 2022. The heavyweight world champion has stated numerous times that he wants a busier fight schedule in 2022, and if these fights take place, he will certainly get that!
Tyson Fury vs. Dillian Whyte
The first fight could be a mandatory defence fight of his WBC heavyweight title, with Fury going up against Dillian Whyte. Depending on the result of the arbitration process, Fury could be fighting Whyte in the UK for his first big fight of the year, and while Whyte has an impressive 93.3% winning streak, Fury’s 96.9% could see him winning out over him.
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
Another anticipated fight for Fury in 2022 is one against Oleksandr Usyk. A unification bout is said to be taking place between the two, as Fury’s promoter Bob Arum said in a conversation with talkSPORT’s James Savundra. This could be an interesting fight, as Usyk has a 100% success rate in his pro boxing career.
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
The Joshua vs. Fury double-header is one of the most anticipated matches of 2022. The pair were set to fight this year, but an arbitration hearing led to Fury fighting Wilder instead. Given the following each boxer has, it is set to be a huge fight. Rumour has it that Wembley Stadium in the UK is the location for the fight, with its 90,000 capacity.
If everything goes according to plan, 2022 should be when we see these two finally meet in the ring. However, Joshua’s September fight against Usyk led to many fans being surprised, with Usyk claiming the belts. Should Fury and Joshua finally meet, who will come out on top? Joshua’s win rate of 92.3% against Fury’s 96.9% suggests that Fury will win when they eventually meet.
Martyn Ford vs. Sajad Gharibi
It’s official! ‘The Scariest Man on the Planet’, aka Martyn Ford, is set to fight Sajad Gharibi, also known as the Iranian Hulk, next year. The match was confirmed in an Instagram post and will be taking place in London at the O2 Arena on the 2nd of April.
This is a highly anticipated fight. Both fighters have huge followings online and have been using their social media platforms to amp up their fans and get people excited for this fight. Exactly who will win in this battle between ‘The Scariest Man on the Planet’ and ‘The Iranian Hulk’ isn’t clear, but Gharibi has been preparing for the fight by punching bones. This is one fight you won’t want to miss.
Mike Tyson vs. Logan Paul
The latest reports suggest that the boxing legend Mike Tyson will be making his return next year in a fight against Logan Paul, the recognised YouTuber-turned-boxer. Both have an impressive fight history, with Tyson’s exhibition super-fight against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020 resulting in a draw and Paul competed in an exhibition against Floyd Mayweather in June.
Rumours circulating suggest that Tyson and Paul will fight in February 2022, with Tyson himself confirming that he will have a return fight that month, and it is set to be an exciting fight. Tyson and Paul have met previously, with Tyson being featured on Paul’s podcast, so this match is one to watch out for.
Eddie Hall vs. Hafthor Bjornsson
Eddie Hall’s serious injury meant that the planned fight this year against Hafthor Bjornsson didn’t happen. They were set to meet in Florida, and with both recognised as strongmen, it was dubbed “the heaviest boxing match in history”. While fans were left disappointed that the fight did not take place as scheduled, after over a year of anticipating the match, they won’t have to wait too long until the match goes ahead.
Hall’s injury requires surgery, and with the recovery time required post-surgery, the boxing match is now set to take place in Spring next year, with rumours suggesting March or April 2022 will be the date. Hall’s win record is 57.8%, so this fight could go either way.
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Liam Williams
Another highly anticipated fight for 2022 is between Chris Eubank Jr and Liam Williams. Originally, their fight was set for the 11th of December, but a recurring shoulder injury for Williams means that the middleweights will instead be meeting on the 29th of January. The grudge match is going to be huge. This will be a legacy fight for Williams, taking place in Cardiff, and so the boxer is working hard to be 100% fit for the match.
The 2022 boxing matches we’d love to see
As we get closer to 2022, more boxing matches will be confirmed, but there are some fights we are very excited to see. Fury’s three fights are going to be exciting to see, while the Ford vs. Gharibi has the potential to be brutal.
Are there boxing matches you would love to see in 2022? Which boxers do you want to see face each other in the ring? Let us know on social media.
