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via Imago

via Imago

2024 is about to draw curtains. But you shouldn’t be worried if you are a boxing fan. The year will end with a bang. If you thought the biggest draws in the boxing community have already fought, you should brace yourself for what is to come next. The last month of the year is stacked with cards headlined by the likes of Tyson Fury and Naoya Inoue.

That’s not all. You also have other high-stakes fights where the world title will be on the line, where careers will be defined, and where a new crop of champions will be born. Sounds exciting, right? You don’t have to worry about the fights, as EssentiallySports has you covered.

Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez

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If there is one underrated fight that would be worth your time on this list, it’s this. This is a fight that has revenge written all over it. Oscar Valdez lost sight of his goal, focus, and temper when he clashed with Emanuel Navarrete and, as a result, dropped the fight. But it seems he didn’t have to wait for long. He will now try to redeem himself when he will once again challenge the champion for the WBO super featherweight gold strap on December 7 in Phoenix.

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The fight is an exciting matchup for the hardcore fans, who will witness the future of the super featherweight division unfold. The victor will become the enforcer of the division. Even if you cast your curious eyes on the undercard, you can spot the likes of Rafael Espinoza defending his WBO featherweight belt against Robeisy Ramirez in another revenge rematch, which makes the whole card a complete package that you can’t afford to miss. It seems revenge and rematches are the themes for December.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II

We knew we would be getting a second edition of a battle that would crown the best heavyweight in the world. After a closely contested first encounter, Oleksandr Usyk and Fury, 36, will it back again on December 21 in Riyadh, albeit for the unified belts instead of an undisputed crown. But it’s a contest you will surely enjoy.

When the two crossed paths last time, it was the Ukrainian champion who won the tactical battle. But ‘Gypsy King’ is confident of pulling off an upset. What’s more? The fight shattered multiple viewing records, and you can expect it to do the same this time around. Interestingly, HE Turki Alalshikh has slashed the PPV prices, so you can watch the electrifying event at low rates of £24.99/$39.95.

It’s a bargain deal if you ask us, where you will get to see Serhii Bohachuk vs. Israil Madrimov adding charm to the event. Not to mention the rising star, Moses Itauma, trying to strengthen his position as a prospect and a future challenger.

Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman

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You can always debate whether the Japanese champion or Terence Crawford holds the P4P king title. But you can’t debate about the carnage and violence ‘The Monster’ brings to the boxing ring. No matter the challenger, he puts on a great show and now will attempt to brush aside his IBF and WBO mandatory, Sam Goodman, on December 24 in the familiar territory of Tokyo.

For many, it’s a typical underdog vs. overwhelming champion fight, where few are willing to give the challenger a shot in a fight with the undisputed super bantamweight title up for grabs. But there are grand plans in the making for the champion, as talks are going on to bring him back to the American shore. But you shouldn’t sleep in this fight, as sometimes only one punch separates the victor from the loser on an eventful night.

Other fights to keep an eye on:

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  • December 7: Liam Paro vs. Richardson Hitchins (IBF junior welterweight title)
  • December 13: Antonio Vargas vs. Winston Guerrero (bantamweight)
  • December 13: Javon “Wanna” Walton vs. Erik Hanley (super featherweight)
  • December 13: Kaye Scott vs. Desley Robinson (vacant IBF middleweight title)
  • December 14: Jaime Munguia vs. Bruno Surace (super middleweight)
  • December 14: Natasha Jonas vs. Ivana Habazin (IBF and WBC women’s welterweight title)
  • December 30: Ryan Garcia vs. Rukiya Anpo (catchweight, exhibition)

Which of these fights has you excited? Will you tune in to watch Tyson Fury try to exact his revenge or Naoya Inoue try to make a defense of his title? Let us know in the comments below.