The Most Anticipated Fights of 2023

by , 16 March 2023

There are plenty of fights for boxing betting fans to look forward to in the coming months. In this article, we preview some of the most anticipated fights of 2023 that will take place in April & May. First, Anthony Joshua is hoping to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats. Next, Joe Joyce, a potential future opponent for Fury or AJ, takes on Zhilei Zhang a couple of weeks later. Finally, the Fury v Usyk bout is inching closer after a 70/30 purse split was agreed upon. Join us as we preview some of the planned fights.

Most anticipated fights of 2023

Boxing betting enthusiasts will have plenty of action to choose from over the next three months as there are plenty of fights already confirmed and many more in the pipeline.

Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin – London – April 1

Former two-time unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to take on Jermaine Franklin in the upcoming boxing match, “New Dawn”, at the O2 Arena in London, on April 1.

Joshua has suffered losses in his last two fights against Oleksandr Usyk. Meanwhile, Franklin’s unbeaten streak came to a controversial end in a battle against Dillian Whyte. The fight between Joshua and Franklin was scheduled after Tyson Fury cancelled his fight with Joshua due to sponsorship issues. Other fights on the card include Matteo Signani v Felix Cash and Craig Richards v Ričards Bolotniks.

Anthony Joshua – Last Chance for Redemption?

For many, Anthony Joshua is in the last chance saloon and desperately needs a win over Jermaine Franklin to remain relevant in boxing circles.

He initially won the WBA championship in 2017 by defeating Wladimir Klitschko in front of 90,000 spectators at Wembley Stadium. He was on course to unify the division when Joshua fought Joseph Parker the following year, unifying the WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles, further cementing his status as one of the best boxers in the world.

However, Joshua’s first loss came in 2019 in a shocking upset to Andy Ruiz Jr, losing his three heavyweight titles in the process. However, Joshua secured a victory in the rematch against Ruiz, regaining his titles.

Anthony didn’t keep his titles long, losing both subsequent fights against Oleksandr Usyk.

The first fight occurred in September 2021 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Usyk, the former undisputed cruiserweight champion, proved to be a formidable challenger for Joshua and finally prevailed via unanimous decision to claim the title of new heavyweight world champion.

The two boxers then had a highly anticipated rematch in August 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Despite Joshua’s efforts to rough up and clinch Usyk, the Ukrainian fighter landed more shots and ultimately retained his heavyweight titles by a split decision.

Jermaine Franklin – Not to be Underestimated

After back-to-back defeats, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if AJ didn’t pick a journeyman to fight to get back on track. Therefore the choice of Jermaine Franklin, the American professional heavyweight boxer from Saginaw, Michigan, is a bit of a surprise as there is a degree of jeopardy in the fight as Franklin boasts an excellent record.

He made his professional debut in 2015 at the age of 21 and has since fought in 22 bouts, winning 21 and losing 1 with a 67 percent knockout ratio. Franklin’s career may be considered dormant rather than delayed, as he is yet he has yet to win a world title. Also, many will point to the quality of fighters that Franklin has faced as Nicholas Thompson, Wesley Triplett, and Willie Jake Jr, the only undefeated opponents he has faced. However, none of those are household names.

In November 2022, Franklin faced Dillian Whyte in a controversial match held at the Wembley Arena in London, which he lost by a majority decision. However, many believe Whyte was fortunate to have won that bout, and many commentators had the American ahead in their scorecards.

Many boxing fans will feel this will be a routine win for Joshua, but the same boxing fans probably gave Andy Ruiz no chance before he beat the Brit.

Latest bookmakers odds: – Anthony Joshua 1/12, Jermaine Franklin 6/1 and the draw is priced at 22/1.

Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin – Round Betting

One of the favourite markets when betting on boxing, is predicting which round the fight will end. As this fight is scheduled to last 12 Rounds, there are plenty of betting options.

Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin – Round Betting
Anthony Joshua Wins On Points 4/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 6 33/5
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 7 33/5
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 5 15/2
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 4 8/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 8 8/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 9 9/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 3 9/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 10 11/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 2 12/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins On Points 12/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 1 16/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 11 16/1
Anthony Joshua Wins In Round 12 18/1
Draw 22/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 1 60/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 4 60/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 2 60/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 3 60/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 5 60/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 11 65/1
Jermaine Franklin Wins In Round 6 65/1

As you can see from the table, bookmakers feel an Anthothy Joshua win on points is the most likely result, and this is understandable as Jermaine Franklin has not been stopped in his career. If AJ does stop him, they feel Round 6 is the likeliest with 888sport. If Jermaine Franklin does pull off a shock win, a points decision is the most likely according to the odds.

Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin – Method of Victory Betting

Another popular market when boxing betting is the method of victory betting. Below you can see the latest odds available.

Anthony Joshua v Jermaine Franklin – Method of Victory
Method of Victory Odds
Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision 1/4
Anthony Joshua to win on Points 4/1
Jermaine Franklin to win on Points 12/1
Jermaine Franklin to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision 12/1
Draw 22/1

Anthony Joshua to win by KO/TKO/DQ/Technical Decision is the lowest odds.

Zhilei Zhang v Joe Joyce – London – April 15th

Joe Joyce will face Zhilei Zhang for the WBO interim heavyweight title at the Copper Box Arena in London on April 15, 2023.

Joyce won the title in September 2022 against Joseph Parker. Zhang suffered his first loss to Croatian Filip Hrgović in August 2022.

Other fights on the card will include Denzel Bentley v Kieran Smith, Dennis McCann v TBA, Sam Noakes v TBA, Mikaela Mayer v Christina Linardatou, Sonny Ali v TBA, and Joel Kodua v TBA.

Zhilei Zhang – The Chinese Superstar

Zhilei Zhang is a Chinese professional boxer competing in the heavyweight division. Zhang has a record of 24 wins, one loss, and one draw in his professional career. Out of the 24 victories, he has stopped 19 of his opponents, giving him a knockout ratio of 79%.

In his only defeat, he lost on the scorecards. Zhang’s professional fights have lasted an average of 3.2 rounds, with a total of 84 rounds boxed. Therefore boxing fans might consider an early knockout. However, as Zhang is a heavy underdog with bet365 (5/1), a combo bet of a KO and a round bet (rounds 3-6) could be profitable.

Notable fights in Zhang’s career include a match against Jerry Forrest on February 27, 2021, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, FL, USA. In this fight, Zhang dropped Forrest three times early, but Forrest managed to battle back, resulting in a majority draw

Joe Joyce – The WBO Interim Heavyweight Champion

Joe Joyce is a British professional boxer who has been WBO interim heavyweight champion since 2022. Additionally, he has held numerous regional heavyweight titles, including the British title from 2020 to 2022, the European title from 2020 to 2021, and the Commonwealth title twice from 2018 to 2021.

While participating as an amateur, he won several medals, including a bronze at the 2013 European Championships, a gold at the 2014 Commonwealth and 2015 European Games, a bronze at the 2015 World Championships, and a silver at the 2016 Olympics. According to the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, he is listed as the world’s second-best active heavyweight, fourth by The Ring magazine, and sixth by ESPN and BoxRec.

Joyce was not a big boxing fan growing up but took up boxing at the age of 22, having his interest in track and field athletics curtailed by injuries, and joined Earlsfield ABC. He obtained a BSc degree in Fine Arts at Middlesex University in 2009.

He turned professional in July 2017, signing with Hayemaker Ringstar, and debuted against former WBO Asia Pacific champion Ian Lewison. He later signed with Al Haymon, an American advisor, where he made his US debut in 2018. Since then, he has fought and won against several heavyweight boxers, including Iago Kiladze, Bermane Stiverne, and Alexander Ustinov.

He signed with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions in April 2019 and has continued to prevail as a heavyweight boxing champion ever since.

Latest bookmakers odds: – Joe Joyce 1/9, Zhilei Zhang 5/1.

Alen Babic v Lukasz Rozanski – Poland – April 22

Alen Babic, popularly known as “The Savage,” will fight Lukasz Rozanski for the WBC’s new bridgerweight title in Poland on April 22, and the fight will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. This will be an intriguing night of boxing as Babic and Rozanski have excellent records. The undercard also looks entertaining, featuring Caroline Dubois, Martin Bakole and Jeamie TKV.

Alen Babic – The Coatian Crusher

Alen Babic, the Croatian heavyweight boxing sensation, has made quite a name for himself in the world of professional boxing. Babic boasts an impressive record of 11 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws, with a staggering ten victories earned through knockouts. Here’s a quick rundown of some of his most notable bouts:

In 2020, Babic went up against Shawndell Winters, dispatching him in the second round with a TKO victory. Later that year, he squared off against Niall Kennedy, claiming another win with a third-round TKO. Babic’s final fight of 2020 saw him triumph over Tom Little, once again securing victory through a third-round TKO.

Babic continued his winning streak in 2021, defeating Damien Chambers on June 12 with a decisive third-round KO, bringing his record to 7-0. He later faced the seasoned Mexican boxer Éric Molina, knocking him out in the second round.

On May 21, 2022, Babic battled Adam Balski, achieving his first professional win by unanimous decision. Babic’s last fight was on May 21, 2022, against Adam Balski. He won by (UD).

Lukasz Rozanski – The Polish KO Expert

Lukasz Rozanski is a Polish bridgerweight boxer who has made a name for himself with an impressive boxing record. Born on January 23, 1986, in Rzeszow, Poland, Rozanski stands 6’1″ tall with a reach of 74 inches. His professional boxing record stands at 14 wins, 0 losses, and 0 draws, with 13 of his victories coming by way of knockout, giving him an impressive 93% knockout rate.

Rozanski made his professional debut at the age of 29 on October 17, 2015, against Mateusz Zielinski, whom he defeated via a first-round knockout. Since then, he has built a solid resume with victories over some notable opponents in the heavyweight division. Some of Rozanski’s most impressive wins include triumphs over Artur Szpilka, Izuagbe Ugonoh, Eriks Kalasnikov, Ozcan Cetinkaya, Eugen Buchmueller, Michael Sprott, and Albert Sosnowski.

His fight against Izuagbe Ugonoh, which took place on July 6, 2019, is considered one of the more significant fights in his career. Throughout his professional journey, Rozanski has showcased his power and ability to finish fights, making him an exciting contender in the heavyweight division.

Latest bookmakers odds: – There are currently no odds available as the fight has just been announced at the time of writing.

Rising star Caroline Dubois and heavyweights Martin Bakole and Jeamie TKV will also be boxing on the event’s undercard, which will be co-promoted by knockout Promotions. Dubois, trained by Shane McGuigan, will be looking to build on her unbeaten record when she faces her opponent, who is yet to be named. Bakole, the “Next King of Scotland,” will face Ukrainian fighter Ihor Shevadzutskyi, while TKV will be making his debut outside of London.

BOXXER CEO & founder Ben Shalom says the event promises to be hugely impactful in the world of boxing, and he is looking forward to another showcase for their world-class roster on the global stage with Sky Sports.

Gervonta Davis v Ryan Garcia – Las Vegas – April 22

On the same night as the Alen Babic v Lukasz Rozanski clash, an electrifying catchweight showdown is set to take place between Gervonta “Tank” Davis, the reigning WBA (Regular) lightweight champion, and former WBC interim lightweight titleholder Ryan “King” Garcia.

The stage for this epic battle will be the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both fighters boast spotless records, making this clash a true test of their respective legacies.

Davis enters the ring with an impressive pre-fight record of 28 wins, no losses, and 26 knockouts to his name. On the other hand, Garcia holds an equally remarkable pre-fight record of 23 victories, zero defeats, and 19 knockouts. This face-off has all the makings of a legendary matchup, with both fighters eager to prove their mettle and maintain their unbeaten streaks.

Although it will likely be a decent fight, the time difference between the UK and America means it will be a fight for the night owls.

Latest bookmakers odds: – Gervonta Davis 4/11, Ryan Garcia 2/1.

Tyson Fury v Oleksandr Usyk – Wembley (TBC) – April 29

Boxing enthusiasts can look forward to a potential blockbuster showdown as Tyson Fury, the Gypsy King, asserts his readiness to challenge Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship of the world. Despite only recently starting his training, Fury has quashed any concerns about his readiness, taking to social media to reassure fans that he’s in the prime of his life and eager to step into the ring against Usyk.

Currently, negotiations are underway for the two heavyweight giants to clash on April 29, battling for all four major heavyweight titles. This highly anticipated bout would mark Usyk’s third undisputed championship fight. With both fighters boasting impressive records, this potential matchup will captivate the boxing world.

It did appear that the fight was in jeopardy, as Fury’s camp rejected first a 50/50 split and then a 60/40 split to the winner. Fury instead demanded a 70/30 split, perhaps expecting this to be refused. However, Usyk responded, calling Fury “greedy belly” and accepting the purse which is weighted heavily in Fury’s favour.

There are still doubts that remain, as Fury has demanded that there would be no rematch clause.

However, talking on TalkSport, Usyk agent said it was Fury that wanted the rematch clause initially, so if that’s true, removing the rematch clause shouldn’t pose too much of an issue.

As the Gypsy King and Usyk’s teams iron out the details, the boxing world waits for what could be a historic heavyweight unification bout with bated breath. In the meantime, Tyson Fury’s confidence in preparing for the fight in just six weeks speaks volumes about his determination to secure victory and solidify his legacy in the sport.

In our previous blog post, we discussed the tactics each fighter could employ to secure victory. However, to set the scene, we’ll recap the history of the boxers.

Fury’s Rise, Fall, and Rise Again

In 2009, Tyson Fury faced his first true challenge as a professional boxer when he went up against John McDermott. Although the English heavyweight title match ended in a controversial points decision favouring Fury, the two fighters met again in 2010. Fury left no doubt this time, scoring a TKO in the 9th round.

Two years later, Fury squared off with Dereck Chisora for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. Demonstrating superior boxing skills, Fury secured a unanimous decision victory and claimed both prestigious titles.

Fury’s American debut came in 2013 when he faced former cruiserweight world champion, Steve Cunningham. Despite a rocky start, which saw Fury knocked down in the 2nd round, he fought back and delivered a knockout punch in the 7th round.

In 2014, a rematch with Chisora took place. Fury once again showcased his dominance, leaving Chisora’s corner no choice but to retire their fighter after the 10th round.

The year 2015 saw Fury challenge Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles. Defying the odds, Fury won by unanimous decision, ending Klitschko’s long reign as heavyweight champion.

After a lengthy hiatus due to personal issues, Fury returned to the ring in 2018, defeating Sefer Seferi when the latter retired after the 4th round.

Later that year, Fury and Deontay Wilder faced off in a highly anticipated match for the WBC heavyweight title. Instead, the bout ended in a controversial split draw, with Fury outboxing Wilder for most of the fight but suffering two knockdowns, including a miraculous recovery in the 12th round. In 2019, Fury took on the undefeated Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin. A severe cut above his right eye in the third round threatened to derail his efforts, but Fury persevered, winning a hard-fought battle via unanimous decision.

The widely anticipated rematch between Fury and Wilder took place in 2020. The widely anticipated rematch between Fury and Wilder took place in 2020.

Fury dispelled any lingering doubts this time by commanding and defeating Wilder in the seventh round to win the vacant The Ring heavyweight championship and the WBC heavyweight crown.

Dereck Chisora and Deontay Wilder were the opponents in Tyson Fury’s most recent two fights.

Tyson Fury faced Dereck Chisora in his most recent fight on December 3, 2022. Fury won the fight by technical knockout (TKO). This fight marked the third time Fury and Chisora faced each other in the ring, with Fury winning all three encounters.

Before the Chisora fight, Tyson Fury fought Deontay Wilder on October 9, 2021. This bout was their third fight against each other and served as a conclusion to their rivalry. Fury successfully defended his World Boxing Council title by knocking Wilder out in the 11th round. He landed a right hand to Wilder’s temple, sending him to the canvas for good. Fury connected with 150 total punches during the fight, while Wilder managed to land only 72.

Much is made of Fury’s height advantage, but as the saying goes, “the bigger they are, the further they fall”.

Usyk – From Cruiserweight to Heavyweight Champion

In 2013, Oleksandr Usyk burst onto the professional boxing scene with a 5th-round TKO victory over Daniil Peretyatko, marking the start of his rapid climb in the cruiserweight division.

Two years later, Usyk claimed the WBO Inter-Continental cruiserweight title by knocking out Pedro Rodriguez in the 7th round.

In 2016, Usyk took on Krzysztof Glowacki for the WBO cruiserweight title. He triumphed with a unanimous decision, making history as the fastest fighter to win a world title in the cruiserweight division after only ten professional fights.

Usyk defended his WBO cruiserweight title in 2017 against Michael Hunter, securing another unanimous decision victory.

Later that year, Usyk participated in the World Boxing Super Series quarterfinals, where he defeated Marco Huck with a 10th-round TKO, retaining his WBO cruiserweight title.

In the 2018 World Boxing Super Series semi-finals, Usyk faced Mairis Briedis and won by majority decision, unifying the WBO and WBC cruiserweight titles.

Usyk’s crowning moment came in the World Boxing Super Series final against Murat Gassiev. With a display of boxing mastery, Usyk earned a unanimous decision victory, unifying the WBO, WBC, WBA, and IBF cruiserweight titles. This win made him the first fighter to hold all four major belts in the cruiserweight division.

In his last bout as a cruiserweight, Usyk defended his unified titles against Tony Bellew in 2018, delivering a stunning 8th-round knockout.

Usyk stepped into the heavyweight division in 2019, facing Chazz Witherspoon. He won by 7th-round stoppage when Witherspoon’s corner decided to retire their fighter.

In 2020, Usyk took on the seasoned and rugged Derek Chisora in a critical test at heavyweight. Displaying his skill and resilience, Usyk claimed a unanimous decision victory.

On September 25, 2021, Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua engaged in their first fight. The fight, dubbed “The Perfect Storm,” occurred in London, England, at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. At stake were the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO, and IBO heavyweight titles held by Anthony Joshua, and Oleksandr Usyk was the WBO’s heavyweight mandatory challenger and former undisputed cruiserweight champion.

Oleksandr Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua in this fight to become the unified WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO heavyweight champion. Usyk, an undefeated and highly decorated boxer, showcased his skill and agility throughout the match, ultimately dethroning Joshua and capturing the heavyweight titles.

The second fight between Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua occurred on August 20 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Usyk successfully beat AJ by the decision to retain his WBA, IBF, and WBO heavyweight titles in the rematch.

One of the judges had a win for AJ, scoring the bout 115-113, but the other two judges scored in Usyk’s favour, 115-113 and 116-112.

Latest bookmakers odds: – Tyson Fury 4/9, Oleksandr Usyk 7/4.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez v John Ryder – May 6th Mexico

The reigning super-middleweight champion, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, is scheduled to defend his titles against the UK’s John Ryder on May 6 in Mexico. This fight is eagerly awaited for several reasons, including Canelo’s first home fight in over a decade and his formidable opponent in Ryder, the WBO mandatory challenger with an impressive 32-win, 5-loss record from 37 bouts.

Having claimed titles in four separate weight classes, Canelo is well-acquainted with the boxing ring, boasting 58 victories, two defeats, and two draws in his 62 fights. Despite undergoing wrist surgery in late 2022, Canelo is enthusiastic about his return and the opportunity to compete against a “very competitive fighter” like Ryder. As one of the world’s top boxers, Canelo aims to bolster his remarkable record further.

Nonetheless, Ryder should not be overlooked. In November, he triumphed over Zach Parker for the vacant WBO interim super-middleweight title, and he is eager to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion. While he respects Canelo, Ryder remains undaunted and confident that this is his moment to take the spotlight.

Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez – The Magnificent Mexican

While Oleksandr Usyk has earned a lot of credit for taking titles at different weight classes (cruiserweight and heavyweight), Alvarez’s achievements are even more remarkable as he has won multiple world championships in four weight classes, ranging from light middleweight to light heavyweight. Furthermore, the 32-year-old has earned unified titles in three of those weight classes and lineal titles in two. He is the first boxer in history to achieve this feat.

Canelo’s boxing career began at the young age of 15, where he turned pro in Guadalajara, Mexico, on October 29, 2005. Over the course of 16 years and 62 fights, he has 58 wins (39 by KO), two draws and just two losses.

John Ryder – The British Fighter Looking to Cause an Upset

John Ryder is a 34-year-old British professional boxer who has held the WBO interim super-middleweight title since 2022. In 2019, he was the WBA interim super-middleweight champion. In 2013 and 2015, Ryder made two challenges for the British middleweight championship; in 2017, he made one for the British super-middleweight championship.

As an amateur, Ryder won 30 fights out of 35 for Angel Amateur Boxing Club in Islington, London. Ryder turned professional on September 10, 2010, winning his first fifteen fights. He faced Billy Joe Saunders for his British and Commonwealth middleweight titles in 2013, losing a close unanimous decision. Ryder won his first regional championship in 2014, the vacant WBO Inter-Continental middleweight title. In 2016, he won his second regional championship, the vacant WBA International middleweight title.

Since 2017, Ryder has fought at super-middleweight, with notable victories against Jamie Cox and Andrey Sirotkin. He challenged Callum Smith for the WBA (Super) and Ring magazine super-middleweight belts in 2019 but lost by UD. In the third round, he defeated Bilal Akkawy by TKO to earn the vacant WBA interim super-middleweight title.

Ryder currently has a professional boxing record of 32 wins and five losses, with 18 wins by KO. He won the vacant WBO interim super-middleweight title in November 2022, beating Zach Parker by RTD in the fifth round at The O2 Arena in London.

Anticipation for this bout is high, as both combatants are determined to demonstrate their prowess. Although Canelo will enjoy the support of his home crowd, Ryder is no stranger to competing in foreign territory.

One thing is sure: both athletes will bring their best, guaranteeing a gripping and exhilarating showdown. So, mark May 6 in your diaries – you won’t want to miss this electrifying event!

Latest bookmakers odds: – Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez 1/12, John Ryder 6/1.

In addition to the fights mentioned above, plenty of bouts are in the pipeline for the future. These include a Chris Eubank Jr vs Liam Smith rematch after Smith unexpectedly dominated Eubank in the first bout.

Errol Spence vs Terence Crawford will likely be confirmed soon, and it will be interesting to see who Jake Paul will fight next. A Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury rematch seems almost a certainty but also rumoured is Jake Paul vs KSI and Jake Paul vs Nate Diaz.

Once the big fights are confirmed, we will bring you fight previews, so check back often.

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