The alphabet soup of boxing titles offered by the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO can be difficult for the average boxing fan to follow.
In 2016, it’s been a relatively quiet year in terms of big international fights, but some of the big names have still been active.
American light heavyweight Andre Ward (31-0) maintained his unbeaten record with three wins. His most recent was a narrow, contentious points win over Russia’s Sergey Kovalev (30-1-1). It was the first loss of Kovalev’s career, and sets up a potential rematch in 2017.
Kazakhstan middleweight Gennady Golovkin (36-0) continued his amazing KO record, winning two fights inside the distance in 2016. The most recent was against England’s Kell Brook (36-1), who stepped up in weight to take the fight. It was Brook’s first loss, and the 33rd KO of Golovkin’s career.
Golovkin is struggling to find opponents, though a fight that everyone would like to see made for him in 2017 is with Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez (48-1-1).
Alvarez has had two fights in 2016, winning both by KO, including a high-profile bout against England’s Amir Khan (31-4), who stepped up to middleweight to take the fight.
Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao (59-6-2) also won both of his fights in 2016. The first, against American Tim Bradley (33-2-1) was supposed to be his last fight before retiring, but boxing retirements are notoriously fickle. He continued on and beat American Jessie Vargas (27-2) in November.
English heavyweight Anthony Joshua (18-0) continued his winning ways, with three KO victories in 2016. All of his 18 career victories have been by KO, and he has set himself up for a massive payday in 2017 against Ukrainian legend Wladimir Klitschko (64-4) in England next April.
Klitschko hasn’t fought since he was upset by England’s Tyson Fury (25-0) in late 2015. Fury was stripped of his world heavyweight titles after being unable to defend them due to health issues.
New Zealand’s Joseph Parker (22-0) has put himself in the international mix by winning the WBO version of the world heavyweight title against American Andy Ruiz Jr (29-1). It was the first loss of Ruiz’s career.
In terms of Australian fighters who have made a splash on the international stage, the year kicked off with our own heavyweight Lucas Browne (24-0) upsetting Uzbekistan’s Ruslan Chagaev (34-3-1). Browne was behind on points but came back to KO Chagaev in the 10th round.
Browne spoke with us before that fight.
The win should have made Browne the first Australian to win a version of the world heavyweight title (WBA), but his victory wasn’t recognised due to him failing a drug test. Browne was subsequently cleared of deliberately taking a prohibited substance before that fight, but was still not awarded the title. He has since failed another drug test, putting his immediate future in doubt.
Jeff Horn (16-0-1) has also continued his impressive rise up the world welterweight rankings. He had three wins inside the distance this year, after overcoming a throat injury sustained in sparring. He is in line to fight Tim Bradley or Jessie Vargas next, with a fight against Pacquiao a possibility if he continues his winning form.
Horn spoke with us earlier in the year before his fight with former world champion, America’s Randall Bailey (46-9). Horn won that bout when Bailey retired on his stool at the end of the seventh round.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Absolutely, at the moment he is the only world champion we have in any division ( if I'm wrong please inform) except maybe that Wbf heavyweight champ Peter G I think his name is. Anyway he need throw all our support behind him as he bumped off Geale quickly, Green did the same to jones Jr. and it will also go down as he biggest scalp. After Mundine v Green 2 in feb Quinlan fights in Eurbank so we need to get behind him for the sake of the sport
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Agreed Grafter, Daniel Geale certainly conducted himself well both inside and outside the ring. His wins in Germany were hard earned and proved his class. And he also stepped into the ring with both Cotto and Golovkin, no shame in either of those losses. It would be great to see him stay involved in boxing as a trainer.
The Grafter
Guest
It was terrific John. Four world titles on the one card. I think its a first. Lets hope Jeff Horn gets on the world stage. He's very marketable, articulate and seems a decent bloke. Speaking of which, as big J and yourself have touched on, I was saddened to see Dan Geale end (likely/hopefully) his career as he did. It shouldn't be forgotten this man won his world title in Germany, a feat not easy. Coming out of Old Grange Dan would make a terrific trainer I believe.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks BigJ, Good point re Quinlan, it certainly was a major upset of Daniel Geale, though I think he got Geale at the right time (i.e. the tail end of his career, after KOs by Cotto and Golovkin). That may be why he didn't get as much credit as he deserved for that KO. It was actually Quinlan's 12th pro fight, but still a great scalp to get so early in his career. It looks like he may face Chris Eubank Jr next according to recent media reports. If so, that will be a very tough opponent for him I think. But let's hope for the best. That would be a big international fight for Australian boxing in 2017, so we should all get behind him.
BigJ
Roar Guru
Nice article John, you right in that boxing has gone through a transitional year this year with the complete reset of the heavyweight division and for the better I feel. Aussie boxing was very quiet this year with only really two world success in Browne and quinlan. We all know what happened with Browne and quinlan success a has barely been mentioned. He defeated a multiple time and title champ in Danny Geake in only his seventh pro fight. No easy feat but the fight it that it has barely been mentioned. For next year Horn will get a shot at Bradley and go down. Browne may get another title shot, Green will beat Mundine and both retire and quinlan will defend his title with success.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Grafter, Must have been great to be live at a Pacquiao fight, what an experience. I agree a Horn/Pacman fight would be hard to market over there at this stage, a lot will depend on how Horn performs in his next fight or two, assuming they are held in the US. If he impresses against someone like Bradley, you never know. The older Manny gets, the better it would be for Horn's chances. He is improving and gaining confidence with each fight.
The Grafter
Guest
Good write up John. If Alverez (On the advice of Oscar) doesn't fight GGG, he may have to go up to the super division. The Heavyweights have been revived as you say, and good youngsters Joshua and Parker amongst others will keep things interesting. The Brit should account against Klitchco which is likely his last fight. Jeff Horn to me, whilst technically very good, has some real defensive issues. It would be a HUGE surprise to see him fight Pacquiao. I was at the Pacmans last fight, and Floyd Mayweather was brought in just halfway through the main undercut. I really dont think it was for Floyd to enjoy the fight ringside. It will be very, very difficult to sell a fight with the ageing star that hasn't stopped anyone since 2009 and an unknown Australian. For me, Pacman v Mayweather on the first Saturday in May 2017.
Ray
Roar Rookie
Jeff Horn looks the goods, hopefully a world title shot for him in 2017.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
That would be a different sort of article. Horn and Browne were the two that made the biggest Australian impact on the mainstream international boxing scene with their wins in 2016.
kunming tiger
Guest
You haven't mentioned an array of Australian fighters boxing overseas in emerging markets like China and ndia to name just two. Their level of skill and commntment makes them ideal oppoentns and good ambassaders for their country. .They are contributing to the rising standards of boxing in these countries and lifting the profile of the sport at the same time.