The top five fights already scheduled for 2016

[Female Money Mayweather Fan]

1. Carl Frampton versus Scott Quigg
   

Two young ambitious champions clashing in the prime of their careers. Theirs is a major rivalry in the UK, both are of the highest quality but have differing styles that could combine into a thriller. Plus both men can punch very hard, thrown in the ill-disguised hostility between the rival camps and you have a lovely battle all set for the early part of 2016.

 

 

 

1. Manny Pacquiao versus Tim Bradley
   

Another rematch that wasn’t exactly in high demand, this will be the third engagement between Pacquiao and Bradley. The first time Manny lost an unjust decision, the second time “Pacman” beat him on points with a superb performance. Enough said perhaps, but this fight will give an indication of how much Pacquiao’s career has left to run and, with Bradley showing a new fragility against Jessie Vargas, Manny could score his first stoppage win since halting Miguel Cotto in 2009.

 

 

 

1. Sergey Kovalev versus Jean Pascal
   

It’s a rematch nobody asked for but we’re getting anyway. Yunieski Gonzalez, who lost a close decision to Pascal in July, would have been a more appealing opponent but Kovalev is going over old ground here. The Russian however is one of the best fighters in the sport and could be setting himself up for a mega-fight with someone like Andre Ward.

 

 

 

1. Vyacheslav Glazkov versus Charles Martin
   

Glazkov-Martin will decide the holder of the newly vacant IBF heavyweight title. Whoever of them it proves to be will indeed be the most lightly regarded heavyweight champion, with Tyson Fury clearly the number one in the division, followed by WBC titlist Deontay Wilder. But the Glazkov-Martin winner will also be one of the most appealing opponents for either Fury or Wilder and furthermore will be a highly sought after target for the rising heavyweight contenders.

 

 

 

1. Terry Flanagan versus Derry Mathews
   

Flanagan had a breakthrough year in 2015, winning the WBO world lightweight title and then crushing Diego Magdaleno. Mathews is a battler who has been in some thrilling scraps, this one pits Liverpool versus Manchester in an all-British world title fight.

[chaconfan]

Re: The top five fights already scheduled for 2016

 

Bradley was absolutely brilliant in his last fight and I pick him to win this rubber match

[WelshDevilRob]

Re: The top five fights already scheduled for 2016

 

I'm happy with all those fights - will wach them all. I think Flanagan steamrolls Mathews. Kovalev will get to Pascal quicker. Manny vs Bradley is close but favour Manny. Going for a Charles Martin win.

[Cableaddict]

Re: The top five fights already scheduled for 2016

 

Good list.

 

Hard to argue, although Wilder - Povetkin is technically scheduled, they just don't have an exact date yet.