The boxing calendar for 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent years, with a series of high-profile championship bouts set to captivate fans worldwide. The year kicks off with a series of title defenses and rematches that could shape the future of several divisions. Each fight brings its unique dynamic, with contrasting styles and strategies, making these bouts must-watch events for any boxing enthusiast in 2025.

Among the most eagerly awaited contests are those featuring rising stars and established champions. Let’s dive into the key championship fights that will define the year ahead.

Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker

The dates are confirmed. Daniel Dubois will finally defend his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker on February 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This fight will be part of a major card headlined by Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title.

Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) won the title in August 2024 after Usyk vacated it. Dynamite later defended it for the first time by knocking out Anthony Joshua a month later in front of 96,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. After dropping Joshua three times, Dubois secured a Round 5 KO victory. And, Parker with 35-3, 23 KOs is coming off big wins over Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, positioning him as a top contender in the division.

A former WBO heavyweight champion having won the title in 2016 after beating Mexican Andy Ruiz, the South Auckland native is now looking to reclaim a world title after losing his to AJ in March 2018. However, if the Dynamite wins the match, you know what’s going to happen next! Yes, it will be the highly anticipated Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois rematch.

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol

Dmitry Bivol is preparing for his rematch against Artur Beterbiev on February 22 in Riyadh, focusing on improving his strength and power. Two months ago, Beterbiev defeated Bivol by a majority decision, winning 8-4 or 9-3 on most scorecards. Many fans and Bivol’s promoters felt he was robbed and therefore deserved another chance. In the first fight, Bivol struggled with Beterbiev’s relentless pressure. His defensive tactics—moving and clinching—didn’t work, and he appeared fearful of Beterbiev’s attacks. So what’s the plan this time around?

To win the rematch, Bivol must be more aggressive, stay in the pocket, jab more, and attack the body. He also needs to limit his movement, as running out of gas in the first fight hurt him.

Dmitry Bivol at 34 can’t afford to rely on evading Beterbiev for 12 rounds. If he loses again, this may be his last chance. If he loses this time around, fans and experts would prefer a challenger like David Benavidez, or David Morrell for Beterbiev, rather than another match with Bivol.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield

The upcoming fight between rising star Floyd Schofield Jr. and WBC Lightweight Champion Shakur Stevenson, scheduled for February 22, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the same undercard has generated huge excitement. The matchup features a clash of styles, with Stevenson known for his defensive brilliance and Schofield for his aggressive power.

In an interview with Fighthub TV, the Golden Boy head honcho, Oscar De La Hoya expressed confidence in Schofield’s chances. He also believes that the 22-year-old’s ability to fight tall and apply consistent pressure with his jab could be key to overcoming Shakur Stevenson’s defensive style. However, initially, that was not the plan.

Schofield stepped in to face Stevenson after his mandatory challenger, interim WBC lightweight champion, William Zepeda suffered an arm injury during his fight with Tevin Farmer on November 16 at The Venue in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Moving ahead, this fight, on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol, has all the makings of an exciting, high-stakes encounter. Which fighter’s style will prevail—Stevenson’s defense or Schofield’s aggression? Only time will tell.

Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman

The Japanese undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue‘s fight against Sam Goodman has been rescheduled for January 24 in Tokyo. Even though the fight was originally scheduled for December 24, the fight was pushed back after Goodman suffered a serious cut over his left eye. However, the bout finally will be streamed on ESPN+ in the U.S. on the morning of January 24.

Inoue, with 28-0 and an impressive 25 KOs record, sold out the Tokyo Dome in May when he knocked out Luis Nery. He recently defended his titles with a seventh-round TKO over TJ Doheny in September 2024. Ranked No. 1  pound-for-pound by Boxrec, Inoue currently is an IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA Super Bantamweight champion.

Goodman with a 19-0, 8 KOs record, on the other hand, is undefeated and has notable wins over Ra’eese Aleem and Doheny. This fight will be Inoue’s third defense of his undisputed title, with another mandatory defense against Murodjon Akhmadaliev due afterward. Inoue, a future Hall of Famer who hasn’t fought in the U.S. since 2021, is expected to return for a stateside fight in 2025.

Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins

On February 2, the GWOAT will face Danielle Perkins for the undisputed heavyweight title, marking Shields’ chance to become undisputed in a third weight class. Shields won the WBC heavyweight title by defeating Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse in July 2024, and now she will defend it against the ‘New Era’, while also vying for the vacant IBF and WBO belts. The WBA is creating a heavyweight division for this fight, as it previously had no heavyweight titles. However, the outcome of the fight appears to be somewhat predictable.

Clarissa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, has been undisputed at 160lbs and 154lbs, and she recently moved up to 175lbs for her previous bout in July 2024. Daniella Perkins, on the other hand, is a former amateur world champion and had her first three professional fights between August 2020 and March 2021, has had a lighter build in her recent fights, weighing between 175-178lbs. The fight will be held at a catchweight, though the exact limit is undisclosed, and it will take place at the Dort Financial Center in Shields’ hometown of Flint, Michigan. The card will be broadcast on DAZN PPV.

As we look ahead to 2025, these five championship fights are poised to capture the imagination of boxing fans for the first quarter of 2025. Whether it’s Dubois and Parker in the heavyweight division, Beterbiev, and Bivol’s rematch, or Shields aiming for undisputed glory at heavyweight, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The intensity, rivalries, and skill on display in these matchups will not only define the careers of the fighters involved but also set the tone for the future of boxing as a whole. And if you think there’s more to add, do let us know in the comments below!