With 2022 in the rearview mirror, 2023 brings a lot of promise to the boxing world. 

Fans are optimistic fights between the best fighters in the division can take place, despite network deals and ties to promoters. On the flip side, fans are pessimistic for the same reasons. 

That does not mean fans cannot still play armchair matchmaker, but for fights that can realistically happen this year. 

Here is a list of fights that can still happen later this year (fingers crossed). Not included are fights that have already been verbally agreed to or have been signed.

1. Terence Crawford-Errol Spence:

Wash, rinse, repeat. Every year, this list begins with this fight. And every year, it is written in the hopes it is the last time this fight tops the list. Each has their version of why this fight has not been finalized, although it was penciled for November 19. Crawford ended up defending his WBO world welterweight title against David Avanesyan. Spence has a fight penciled against Keith Thurman in April. The hope is Crawford-Spence, Spence-Crawford takes place in September or October. 

2. Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol:

The winner of this all-Russia matchup would be the undisputed champion at 175 pounds. Beterbiev has to face and defeat Anthony Yarde on January 28. Bivol does not have anything lined up after defeating mandatory challenger Gilberto Ramirez on November 5. Both have been open about this fight taking place. The only glitch could be which network would air/ stream the fight. Beterbiev is aligned with Top Rank, which has an exclusive deal with ESPN and Bivol’s last several fights, including his win over Canelo Alvarez on May 7, have streamed on DAZN.

3. Gennady Golovkin-Jaime Munguia:

This fight had been in the works since the spring of 2018. Do you remember? Canelo Alvarez had tested positive for clenbuterol and the rematch between Alvarez and Golovkin was put on the shelf. Munguia was offered a fight against Golovkin, but the Nevada Athletic Commission did not approve of the fight. Instead, weeks later, Munguia challenged then-WBO world junior middleweight titleholder Sadam Ali. Munguia might have a fight lined up in a few months against Shane Mosley, per rumors, but there is no reason why Munguia would not face Golovkin, who is still the unified middleweight titleholder after losing to Alvarez on September 17. 

4. Jermall Charlo-Demetrius Andrade:

DAZN’s Chris Mannix proposed this fight months ago. At the time, few gave it consideration, but this fight could become a reality. Andrade is now fighting at super middleweight and under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) banner after being promoted by Matchroom Boxing, which has an exclusive deal with DAZN. Charlo, the WBC world middleweight titleholder, has not fought since June 2021. Should he move up to 168 pounds, which has been rumored, Charlo facing Andrade could be an attractive fight. Both have the gift of gab and could sell this fight to the boxing public.

5. Emmanuel Navarrete-Oscar Valdez: 

This fight was scheduled to take place on February 3 in Glendale, Arizona, but Valdez had to withdraw from the fight due to an injury during training camp. Navarrete will now face Liam Wilson for the vacant WBO world junior lightweight title. A Navarrete win will lead to a Valdez clash later this summer, which should create a buzz amongst boxing fans. Both throw a high-volume of punches and make for fan-friendly fights. The WBO belt was held by Shakur Stevenson, but was stripped of the title due to missing weight for his world title defense against Robson Conceicao on September 26.

6. Jermell Charlo-Sebastian Fundora:

Charlo was set to make his first defense of his undisputed junior middleweight championship against Australia’s Tim Tszyu on January 28, but withdrew from the fight due to a hand injury suffered in training camp. Should he defeat Tszyu, a fight against Fundora would be compelling. Fundora has faced and defeated some of the best fighters at 154 pounds, including his all-out war against Erickson Lubin last year. Who knows when Charlo-Tszyu will be rescheduled, but, in the meantime, Fundora could face a contender like Tony Harrison. Fundora is coming off a decision win over Carlos Ocampo on October 8.

7. Teofimo Lopez-Jose Ramirez:

A fight between either Lopez and Ramirez against newly-crowned WBC world junior welterweight titleholder Regis Prograis is not happening anytime soon, due to promotional and network ties. So, why not have Lopez face Ramirez? It makes sense. Both fight under the Top Rank banner and the winner would legitimize his standing at 140 pounds and be the mandatory challenger for Prograis’ WBC title. Ramirez faces former world lightweight titleholder Richard Commey on March 25 in his hometown of Fresno. Lopez last fought on December 10, defeating Sandor Martin in a very close fight. A fight between Lopez and contender Arnold Barboza could also be in play as Barboza is also promoted by Top Rank.

8. Hekkie Budler-the winner of the impending clash between Kenshiro Teraji and Jonathan Gonzalez:

Teraji, the WBC and WBA world titleholder, and Gonzalez, the WBO titleholder, could have a fight lined up this spring. It would be a unification fight at 108 pounds. The winner could then face South Africa’s Budler, who is coming off a hard-fought win over former world titleholder Elwin Soto, who lost the title to Gonzalez in October 2021. The IBF world titleholder is Sivenathi Nothshinga, who won the title in his last bout on September 3.

9. Amanda Serrano-Alycia Baumgardner:

Both will fight in separate bouts on February 4 inside The Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Serrano will face Erika Cruz of Mexico City in a unification bout at 126 pounds and Baumgardner will square off against Elhem Mekhaled of France for the undisputed junior lightweight championship. Serrano is rumored to face undisputed lightweight champion Katie Taylor later this year in a rematch of their epic fight on April 30. Baumgardner defeated Mikaela Mayer in a very close fight. The rematch between Baumgardner and Mayer could happen next year, whether at 135 pounds, where Mayer could have her next fight, or at junior lightweight. Serrano-Baumgardner would do solid ticket sales at Madison Square Garden.

10. Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle:

Estrada, the WBA world titleholder at 105 pounds, has a unification fight against WBC titleholder Tina Rupprecht on March 25 in Fresno. After winning the IBF and WBO world title belts in her last fight on November 26, Valle has decided to move back down to fight at 105 pounds and defend her two world title belts. Both Estrada and Valle have utilized a war of words in recent days, but a fight between the two, whether at 105 or 108 pounds would sell in Southern California, where both reside and/ or train. This fight could take place during the summer. Estrada is now promoted by Top Rank and Valle by Golden Boy, who used to promote Estrada. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing