Boxing enthusiasts, get ready for an action-packed year! The schedule for boxing in 2023 is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling and memorable in recent history. From high-profile showdowns to rising stars making their mark, there’s something for every fight fan. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll take a closer look at the key fights, dates, and venues confirmed so far. So grab your gloves and get ready for an adrenaline-fueled journey through the world of boxing.
Major Fights That Have Already Taken Place in 2023
Before we dive into the upcoming bouts, let’s recap some of the major fights that have already left the boxing world buzzing with excitement. In Manchester, Liam Smith delivered a stunning stoppage to defeat Chris Eubank Jr. The unified light-heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev, showcased his dominance by halting Anthony Yarde in London. And in a highly anticipated return, world champion Lawrence Okolie made his mark in the ring once again. These fights set the stage for an incredible year of boxing.
Joshua Buatsi vs Pawel Stepien: A Clash of Powerhouses
One of the most highly anticipated fights of 2023 is the showdown between Joshua Buatsi and Pawel Stepien. Set to take place on May 6, this battle promises to be an explosive encounter between two powerhouses in the light-heavyweight division. Buatsi, a rising star in British boxing, will be looking to assert his dominance and continue his unbeaten record. Stepien, on the other hand, is no stranger to tough fights and will be eager to make a statement of his own. This clash is not to be missed and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Olympic Stars Taking Center Stage
In addition to the marquee matchups, boxing fans can also look forward to seeing some of the brightest stars from the Olympic Games stepping into the professional ring. The likes of Lauren Price and Ben Whittaker, who captured the hearts of fans with their stellar performances at the Olympics, will be showcasing their skills on the same card as Joshua Buatsi vs Pawel Stepien. It’s an incredible opportunity to witness the transition of these talented athletes from the amateur to the professional ranks.
International Showdowns on Sky Sports
Sky Sports will be bringing fans a series of international showdowns that are guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Two fights, in particular, have generated immense excitement among boxing enthusiasts. Devin Haney, the undisputed world lightweight champion, will face off against Vasiliy Lomachenko, a former unified lightweight champion. This clash of titans is expected to be a battle for the ages. Another highly anticipated matchup is between Stephen Fulton and Naoya Inoue, who will be fighting for unified titles at super-bantamweight.
Key Fights Confirmed So Far
Now, let’s take a closer look at the key fights that have been confirmed for 2023. From domestic showdowns to international blockbusters, these bouts are set to captivate audiences around the world.
Saturday, April 15, 2023 – Copper Box Arena, London
- Joe Joyce vs Zhang Zhilei
- Mikaela Mayer vs Christina Linardatou
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Rzeszow, Poland (live on Sky Sports)
- Lukasz Rozanski vs Alen Babic (WBC bridgerweight)
- Martin Bakole vs Ihor Shevadzutskyi
- Jeamie TKV vs TBC
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – Cardiff International Arena, Wales
- Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov vs Joe Cordina (IBF super-featherweight)
- Sandy Ryan vs Marie-Pier Houle (WBO welterweight)
Saturday, April 22, 2023 – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- Gervonta Davis vs Ryan Garcia
Saturday, May 6, 2023 – Resorts World Arena, Birmingham (live on Sky Sports)
- Joshua Buatsi vs Pawel Stepien
- Ben Whittaker vs Jordan Grant
- Lauren Price vs TBC
- Tyler Denny vs Macauley McGowan
- Kaisee Benjamin vs Sean McComb
- Cori Gibbs vs Jimmy First
- Shakan Pitters vs Joel McIntyre
Saturday, May 6, 2023 – Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
- Canelo Alvarez vs John Ryder (WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF super-middleweight)
Saturday, May 13, 2023 – Stockton Arena, California (live on Sky Sports)
- Janikbek Alimkhanuly vs Steven Butler (WBO middleweight)
- Jason Moloney vs Vincent Astrolabio (WBO bantamweight)
Saturday, May 20, 2023 – MGM Grand, Las Vegas (live on Sky Sports)
- Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko (WBC, WBO, WBA, IBF lightweight)
- Junto Nakatani vs Andrew Moloney (WBO super-flyweight)
- Oscar Valdez vs Adam Lopez
- Raymond Muratalla vs Jeremia Nakathila
Saturday, May 20, 2023 – 3Arena, Dublin
- Katie Taylor vs Chantelle Cameron (IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBA super-lightweight)
- Terri Harper vs Cecilia Braekhus (WBA super-welterweight)
Saturday, May 27, 2023 – Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth (live on Sky Sports)
- Lawrence Okolie vs Chris Billam-Smith (WBO cruiserweight)
- Mikael Lawal vs Isaac Chamberlain (British cruiserweight)
Saturday, May 27, 2023 – SSE Arena, Belfast
- Luis Alberto Lopez vs Michael Conlan (IBF featherweight)
Saturday, May 27, 2023 – Manchester Arena, Manchester
- Mauricio Lara vs Leigh Wood
Saturday, June 10, 2023 – Madison Square Garden Theater, New York (live on Sky Sports)
- Josh Taylor vs Teofimo Lopez (WBO super-lightweight)
Saturday, June 10, 2023 – York Hall, London (live on Sky Sports)
- Adam Azim vs TBC
Tuesday, July 25, 2023 – Ariake Arena, Japan (live on Sky Sports)
- Stephen Fulton vs Naoya Inoue (WBO & WBC super-bantamweight)
These are just a few of the incredible fights scheduled for 2023, with many more to be announced in the coming months. Keep an eye on Sky Sports for the latest updates and don’t miss out on the electrifying action.
The Excitement Builds: Previous Results in 2023
As we look forward to the future, it’s important to acknowledge the thrilling fights that have already taken place in 2023. Here’s a quick recap of some notable bouts:
Saturday, January 7, 2023 – Capital One Arena, Washington, USA
- Gervonta Davis bt Hector Luis Garcia
- Jaron Ennis bt Karen Chukhadzhian (IBF Interim welterweight)
Saturday, January 14, 2023 – Turning Stone Resort & Casino, Verona, USA (live on Sky Sports)
- Efe Ajagba bt Stephan Shaw
Saturday, January 21, 2023 – AO Arena, Manchester (live on Sky Sports Box Office)
- Liam Smith bt Chris Eubank Jr
- Richard Riakporhe bt Krzysztof Glowacki
- Joseph Parker bt Jack Massey
Saturday, January 28, 2023 – Wembley Arena, London
- Artur Beterbiev bt Anthony Yarde (IBF, WBC & WBO light-heavyweight)
- Artem Dalakian bt David Jimenez (WBA flyweight)
Friday, February 2, 2023 – Desert Diamond Arena, Arizona, USA
- Emanuel Navarrete bt Liam Wilson (WBO super-featherweight)
- Arnold Barboza bt Jose Pedraza
Saturday, February 4, 2023 – Madison Square Garden Theater, New York, USA
- Amanda Serrano bt Erika Cruz (IBF, WBA, WBC & WBO featherweight)
- Alycia Baumgardner bt Elhem Mekhaled (IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO super-featherweight)
Saturday, February 11, 2023 – Wembley Arena, London
- Adam Azim bt Santos Reyes
- Zak Chelli bt Anthony Sims
- Tyler Denny bt Brad Pauls
- Caroline Dubois bt Feriche Mashaury
- Viddal Riley bt Anees Taj
Saturday, February 18, 2023 – Nottingham Arena, Nottingham
- Mauricio Lara bt Leigh Wood (WBA featherweight)
Saturday, February 25, 2023 – Armory, Minneapolis
- Subriel Matias bt Jeremias Ponce (IBF super-lightweight)
Sunday, February 26, 2023 – Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Jake Paul bt Tommy Fury
- Ilunga Makabu bt Badou Jack (WBC cruiserweight)
Saturday, March 11, 2023 – Zenith-La Villette, Paris, France (live on Sky Sports)
- Tony Yoka bt Carlos Takam
- Dan Azeez bt Thomas Faure (European light-heavyweight)
- Lauren Price bt Naomi Mannes
Saturday, March 18, 2023 – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
- Cyrus Pattinson bt Chris Jenkins
- Pat McCormack bt Dario Socci
- Solomon Dacres bt Robert Ismay (English heavyweight)
Saturday, March 25, 2023 – AO Arena, Manchester (live on Sky Sports)
- Lawrence Okolie bt David Light
- Michael Gomez Jr bt Levi Giles
- Frazer Clarke bt Bogdan Dinu
- Karriss Artingstall bt Linzi Buczynskyj
Saturday, March 25, 2023 – Save Mart Arena, Fresno (live on Sky Sports)
- Jose Ramirez bt Richard Commey
- Seniesa Estrada bt Tina Rupprecht (WBA & WBC minimumweight)
Saturday, April 1, 2023 – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tulsa (live on Sky Sports)
- Robeisy Ramirez bt Isaac Dogboe
- O2 Arena, London
- Anthony Joshua bt Jermaine Franklin
- Galal Yafai bt Moises Calleros
Saturday, April 8, 2023 – Prudential Center, Newark (live on Sky Sports)
- Shakur Stevenson bt Shuichiro Yoshino
- Keyshawn Davis bt Anthony Yigit
- Jared Anderson bt George Arias
- Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio
- Jesse Rodriguez bt Cristian Gonzalez (WBO flyweight)
