Ranking the Upcoming Fights: Usyk-Dubois 2, Taylor-Serrano 3, and Pacquiao’s Comeback

Excitement in the Boxing Ring

July promises to be an exhilarating month for boxing enthusiasts, featuring some of the sport’s top talents. Among them is the legendary Manny Pacquiao, making his return to the ring at the age of 46 after nearly four years of hiatus. This month will showcase world title bouts across various weight classes, from heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk to junior bantamweight Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez.

Must-See Fights This Month

The month is packed with thrilling matchups, including the highly anticipated trilogy clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, a matchup that is incredibly difficult to predict. The quality of these bouts is so high that notable fights like Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias and Alycia Baumgardner vs. Jennifer Miranda were left off the best-of-July list. So, what are the standout fights this month? Let’s take a deeper look.

Top Fights to Watch

10. Claressa Shields vs. Lani Daniels – July 26 in Detroit (DAZN)
Shields, defending her undisputed women’s heavyweight title, faces experienced fighter Lani Daniels. Despite the odds favoring Shields, Daniels is on a seven-fight winning streak and could pose a challenge.

9. Bruce Carrington vs. Mateus Heita – July 26 in New York (ESPN/ESPN+)
Carrington aims for a world title shot with a victory over Heita. Carrington has shown promise by stopping Enrique Vivas, making this a must-watch for boxing fans.

8. Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia – July 26 in New York (ESPN/ESPN+)
Zayas, a rising star, is set for his first world title shot against Garcia, who has proven to be a formidable opponent.

7. Edgar Berlanga vs. Hamzah Sheeraz – July 12 in Queens, New York (DAZN)
Sheeraz seeks a chance at a superfight against Canelo Alvarez, but must first overcome Berlanga in his super middleweight debut.

6. Sebastian Fundora vs. Tim Tszyu 2 – July 19 in Las Vegas (Amazon Prime Video PPV)
In a rematch, Tszyu looks to restore his reputation after a tough loss to Fundora. This bout promises to deliver high stakes and intense action.

5. Shakur Stevenson vs. William Zepeda – July 12 in Queens, New York (DAZN)
Stevenson defends his WBC lightweight title against Zepeda, who is known for his aggressive style.

4. Jesse Rodriguez vs. Phumelele Cafu – July 19 in Frisco, Texas (DAZN)
Rodriguez, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, defends his WBC junior bantamweight title against Cafu.

3. Manny Pacquiao vs. Mario Barrios – July 19 in Las Vegas (Amazon Prime Video PPV)
Pacquiao, at 46, attempts to reclaim the WBC welterweight title against Barrios, a fighter born four months after Pacquiao’s pro debut.

2. Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois 2 – July 19 in London (DAZN PPV)
This rematch features Usyk defending his heavyweight titles against Dubois, who is eager to prove himself after a controversial first encounter.

1. Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 3 – July 11 in New York (Netflix)
This highly anticipated trilogy continues the fierce rivalry between Taylor and Serrano, following two closely contested bouts that captivated audiences.

Context & Analysis

As July unfolds, the boxing world is set to witness monumental clashes that could reshape the landscape of the sport. With veterans like Pacquiao and emerging talents such as Zayas and Carrington, fans are in for a treat. The anticipation surrounding these fights not only highlights the skill of the athletes but also the growing popularity of women’s boxing, particularly in the Taylor-Serrano rivalry.