February 25
At Birmingham, Ala. (PBC on Fox and Fox Sports 1):
Tony Harrison (24-1) vs. Jarrett Hurd (19-0), 12 rounds, for vacant IBF junior middleweight title- Both fighters are looking to make a splash in a loaded junior middleweight division and their time is now to make a big statement. The winner will capture the now vacant IBF junior middleweight title vacated by Jermall Charlo.
March 4
At New York (CBS):
Keith Thurman (27-0) vs. Danny Garcia (33-0), 12 rounds, WBA/WBC welterweight unification- There is nothing better in boxing than a unification title fight between two young strong fighters in their prime of their careers.
March 11
At Verona, N.Y. (HBO):
David Lemieux (36-3) vs. Curtis Stevens (29-5), 12 rounds, middleweights- When you place two power punching fighters in the ring against one another, you’ll more than likely get a very violent fight. Two words for you, LIGHTS OUT!
March 18
New York (HBO PPV):
Gennady Golovkin (36-0) vs. Daniel Jacobs (32-1), 12 rounds, for Golovkin’s WBA/WBC/IBF middleweight title- Golovkin has had his eyes on Canelo Alvarez for quite some time, but he now is completely focused on another hard hitting fighter like himself in Jacobs.
March 25
At Manchester, England (Showtime):
Jorge Linares (41-3) vs. Anthony Crolla (31-5-3), rematch, 12 rounds, for Linares’ WBA lightweight title- In their first fight, Linares was able to out point Crolla by unanimous decision in an action packed back and forth battle. For their rematch I anticipate another close toe to toe encounter.
April 8
At Oxon Hill, Md. (HBO):
Vasyl Lomachenko (7-1) vs. Jason Sosa (20-1-4), 12 rounds, for Lomachenko’s WBO junior lightweight title- Sosa the road warrior faces his toughest test to date as he squares up against the matrix Lomachenko. This clash has skill versus will written all over it.
April 21
At Miami, Fla.:
Artur Beterbiev (11-0) vs. Sullivan Barrera (18-1), 12 rounds, IBF light heavyweight eliminator- Barrera is a heavy handed fighter and is battle tested, but never has he been in against a bone crushing puncher like Beterbiev.
April 29
At London:
Anthony Joshua (18-0) vs. Wladimir Klitschko (64-4), 12 rounds, for Joshua’s IBF and vacant WBA heavyweight title- Wladimir along with his brother Vitali have both reigned in the heavyweight division for over a decade. Enter Anthony Joshua, a young powerful combination puncher.
May 6
At Las Vegas (HBO PPV):
Canelo Alvarez (48-1-1) vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (50-2-1), 12 rounds, super middleweights- In terms of national media attention, this is the biggest fight made for the first half of this year. You have Canelo who is looking to be a legend in the sport in against the son of an all-time great who is still desperately looking to make his own name. At the conclusion of this war, the only question to be answered will be if the winner of this fight will go on to face the winner of the Golovkin/Jacobs clash.
May 27
Sheffield, England
Kell Brook (36-1) vs. Errol Spence Jr. (21-0), 12 rounds, for Brook’s IBF welterweight title- Other than his last fight against Gennady Golovkin, Brook had up to that point looked nearly unbeatable. Brook now will lock horns against a vicious younger fighter that is hungry and eager to collect championship belts.