This springtime sees a number of up-and-coming boxers challenging for or defending regional titles on pay-per-view.
Away from box office draws like the Tyson Fury v Deontay Wilder rematch, others are stepping into the squared circle looking to make a name for themselves. With that in mind, here are three fights boxing fans are looking ahead to this spring…
David Avanesyan v Josh Kelly
The European welterweight title is on the line in London’s O2 Arena on the night of March 28 with British boxer Josh Kelly (10-0-1, 6 KOs) challenging more experienced Russian fighter David Avanesyan (26-3-1, 14 KOs).
Sunderland native Kelly is a +130 underdog in the betting despite an unbeaten record and fighting on home soil. He is a former WBA international welterweight champ and thus no stranger to success.
However, this may be his biggest challenge to date. Avanesyan has made three successful defenses of the European welterweight strap after winning the title last March. The Russian is a -162 favorite having won all three previous bouts he’s had in the UK.
Daniel Dubois v Joe Joyce
The O2 is again the venue for a British heavyweight title bout between unbeaten pro pair Daniel Dubois (14-0, 13 KOs) and Joe Joyce (10-0, 9 KOs) on the night of April 11. Something has got to give in this fight.
Joyce, a silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics at super heavyweight as an amateur, has gone into paid ranks relatively late and is now 34. However, the Juggernaut has knocked off high-profile Canadian boxer Bermane Stiverene since turning pro.
That means he could be overpriced as a +300 underdog in the market for his next fight. Dubois is a strong favorite in the boxing betting available through bet365, however.
DDD has already won the WBO European, Global and International heavyweight belts. He’s also Commonwealth champion and the WBC Silver heavyweight titleholder.
This is Dubois’s first defense of the British belt but, with all that other gold he’s accumulated aged just 22, he could go to the very top. Joyce has it all to do to stop his much younger rival.
Jeff Horn v Tim Tszyu
April 22 is penciled in as the date for an absorbing bout for the IBF Australasian and WBO Global junior middleweight titles between Australian boxers Jeff Horn (23-2-1, 13 KOs) and the undefeated Tim Tszyu (15-0, 11 KOs).
Horn has beaten the great Manny Pacquiao for the WBO welterweight belt in the past, but since lost the strap to Terence Crawford. The Brisbane born boxer has gone down in two of his last four fights, so starts as a +145 underdog for this latest challenge.
Tszyu is giving away experience, but on a serious upward curve. The Sydney native is yet to fight outside of Australia, so will be looking to enhance his record and make a bigger name for himself. Tszyu is a -189 favorite to hand Horn a third loss in five fights when they clash Down Under.
