It’s been another big year for Aussie men’s boxing in 2022 both here and overseas, including 3 world title fights. Here’s a review of our boxers who made a splash in the world rankings over the past year.
Keep an eye on them in 2023. More Aussie world title fights are on the way.
Jai Opetaia
Unbeaten 27-year-old southpaw Jai Opetaia achieved his world title dream when he beat reigning IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis in July this year on the Gold Coast.
He certainly earned his unanimous decision against the tough Latvian, having his jaw broken in two places in an epic, bruising encounter. The first break happened in the second round, and the second in the twelfth and final round on the other side of his jaw. In between, Opetaia put on a slick display of boxing to win the nod from all three judges along with the respect of Briedis.
Jai Opetaia (right) gets hit in the jaw during his IBF cruiserweight title fight against Mairis Briedis. (Photo by Peter Wallis/Getty Images)
Opetaia couldn’t even speak after the fight due to the pain he was in and he had to spend the next two days in hospital. Four metal plates were inserted in his jaw and he had to get used to sucking his food through a straw for months. Not surprisingly, his first world title defence hasn’t been scheduled yet as he takes time to recover.
It was only the second loss of Briedis’ 13-year pro career. The other was against reigning world heavyweight champ Oleksandr Usyk from the Ukraine.
George Kambosos Jnr
George Kambosos began 2022 as an undefeated three-belt lightweight world champion after his epic split decision win over American Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden in New York in late 2021.
He didn’t settle for an easy first defence, electing to take on slick American Devin Haney in an attempt to win the only genuine world title belt he didn’t have.
Like Kambosos, Haney was unbeaten entering their bout to unify the division in Melbourne in June this year. As they say in boxing, somebody’s “0” had to go, and unfortunately for Kambosos, it was his. Haney won comfortably via a unanimous decision.
Kambosos had an immediate rematch clause in their contract if he lost, and Haney returned to Australia four months later to repeat the dose.
After a very busy 12 months, Kambosos is taking time to consider his next move.
Tim Tszyu
Unbeaten 28-year-old super welterweight Tim Tszyu will get the chance to emulate his famous father Kostya when he takes on American world champion Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas on 28 January next year.
If he wins, he will win Charlo’s four world title belts and be the undisputed king of the division, just like his father Kostya was in the super lightweight division in the early 2000s .
Tim Tszyu had just one fight in 2022, making his American debut and earning a unanimous decision against tough American Terrell Gausha, who dropped him in the first round. He will be a heavy underdog when he enters the ring against Charlo, but he has handled everything that has been thrown at him in his career so far.
Tim Tszyu knocks out Stevie Spark (Evans/Getty Images)
Liam Wilson
Super featherweight Liam Wilson has been handed an unexpected world title opportunity in early February against Mexican WBO champ Emanual Navarrete in America.
The 26-year-old Wilson will enter the ring in just his 12th pro fight as a heavy underdog against the vastly experienced Mexican. Wilson has replaced the original Mexican challenger for the bout (Oscar Valdez). Valdez has suffered a shoulder injury in his preparation and won’t be fit to take the ring.
Wilson had 2 fights for 2 wins in 2022, including avenging his only career loss with a spectacular 2nd round KO of Filipino Joy Noynay (19-2). Noynay handed Wilson the first defeat of his career with a 5th round TKO eight months earlier in 2021.
Jason Moloney
Bantamweight and two-time world title challenger Jason Moloney had 3 fights for 3 wins in 2022 to keep his name in the mix for future world title shots.
He may have to fight Filipino legend Nonito Donaire first to earn the right to challenge Japan’s undisputed and undefeated world bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue again. Inoue stopped Moloney in Las Vegas in 2020.
Andrew Moloney
Super flyweight and two-time world title challenger Andrew Moloney (the twin brother of Jason) had 3 fights for 3 wins in 2022, just like his brother. It’s kept his name in the mix for future world title shots along with Jason.
There are four different champions for the four recognised belts in Andrew’s division, and his most likely avenue is via the WBC, where he is one win away from becoming the mandatory challenger for current Mexican champ Juan Francisco Estrada. To get his shot, he will have to beat another Mexican, Pedro Guevara.
Liam Paro
Unbeaten super lightweight southpaw Liam Paro only had one fight in 2022, but it was a spectacular first round KO of the Jeff Fenech-trained Brock Jarvis (20-0). It was a battle of the unbeaten locals with Jarvis stepping up in weight.
Steve Spark
Super lightweight Steve Spark had a busy 2022, winning 3 fights inside the distance before venturing to America to take on the heavily favoured local Montana Love. Spark was a heavy underdog for the fight, but dropped Love in Round 2.
The bout was fairly even for the rest of the contest before a head clash in Round 6 opened a deep cut over the American’s eye. Knowing that the fight would go the scorecards if the referee stopped the contest due to his cut, Love panicked and threw Sparks over the ropes. He was immediately disqualified by the referee.
Two of the three judges had the fight even at the time of the stoppage, while the third had Love ahead. Love and his team formally protested the decision after the fight, but the referee’s disqualification decision was upheld.
Michael Zerafa
Middleweight Michael Zerafa had 2 fights for 2 wins in 2022, including an impressive second round stoppage over the previously unbeaten Aussie Issac “The Headsplitter” Hardman.
Other Aussie fighters on the rise
There are plenty of other young local fighters to keep an eye on in 2023, including super bantamweight Sam Goodman, heavyweight Justis Huni, super middleweight Cesar Mateo Tapia, and welterweight Joel Taylor.
All were active and impressive in keeping their unbeaten records intact in 2022.
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