Boxing matchmaking is broken, but these are the fights that fans are demanding and promoters need to deliver.
1. Canelo Alvarez vs. David Benavidez The most requested fight in boxing. Benavidez is the undefeated, mandatory challenger at 168 who has been calling out Canelo for years. Canelo has avoided him. If this fight does not happen in 2026, it is the biggest missed opportunity in modern boxing.
- Benavidez: 29-0, 24 KOs. Source: BoxRec.
- The physical size difference is significant. Benavidez is bigger and younger.
2. Terence Crawford vs. Canelo Alvarez Crawford moving up from 147 to challenge Canelo at 168 or a catchweight. Two pound-for-pound top-3 fighters. Crawford has expressed interest. The money is there.
3. Jermell Charlo vs. Tim Tszyu rematch Charlo-Tszyu had controversy. A rematch at 154 with undisputed implications would be a legitimate superfight.
4. Naoya Inoue vs. anyone at 122 Inoue (The Monster) is the undisputed super bantamweight champion. 28-0 with 25 KOs. Source: BoxRec. He is the most exciting finisher in boxing. Every fight he takes is must-watch.
5. Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Jaron Ennis Two young, undefeated welterweights who could carry the division after Crawford. Ortiz is from Dallas. Source: BoxRec. A DFW-connected fighter in a superfight would energize local boxing.
The DFW connection: Vergil Ortiz Jr. is from Grand Prairie, Texas -- right in the heart of DFW. He fights out of Robert Garcia's gym and has a massive local following. If he gets the Ennis fight, DFW boxing fans have a reason to care about the welterweight division.
Sources:
- BoxRec — fighter records for all mentioned fighters
- Ring Magazine — fight wish list
- ESPN Boxing — matchmaking analysis
- Grand Prairie local media — Ortiz Jr. coverage
Drop your take below.
Crawford vs. Canelo is the dream fight but the size difference is real. Crawford is a natural 147 pounder. Canelo fights at 168. That is 21 pounds. Can Crawford carry that power up?