5 Fighters Facing a Big Year in 2016
A new year offers new hope for all. No matter what has happened in the past, the future can be whatever you want it to be.
Now, though, it is time to be positive, to look to better times ahead.
That should certainly be the case for some big-name boxers who will be quite happy to see the back of 2015.
Bleacher Report has picked out five fighters—listed in alphabetical order—who will be looking to prove themselves in the coming months.
Honourable Mentions
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There are plenty of highly talented fighters who need positive results in 2016 but who were not included on the final slideshow.
Peter Quillin managed a win, a loss and a draw during 2015. The defeat, against Daniel Jacobs, wasn't a huge shock, but being stopped in Round 1 certainly was.
Quillin—a former WBO middleweight champion who never actually lost his title in the ring—needs to show there are no long-term scars from that demoralising stoppage.
Nathan Cleverly, meanwhile, left everything in the ring against Andrzej Fonfara in October, yet still the Welshman returned home from Chicago having suffered a third defeat in his last six fights.
Clev deserved credit for his bravery against Fonfara, but a decision to stick to his skills rather than a desire to stand and trade might have secured a different outcome.
Devon Alexander is another whose reputation has taken a hit of late.
There was no disgrace in losing to Amir Khan in November 2014, but Alexander looked anything but great in a 10-rounder against Aaron Martinez in October.
Deontay Wilder is a world champion at heavyweight who has yet to be seriously tested, while unbeaten welterweight Errol Spence Jr. looks ready to take the next step.
However, they are two fighters still looking to prove themselves. This list is instead focused on those who have had opportunities in the past and now need to perform again.
Adrien Broner
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Adrien Broner boasts a 31-2 record and is the current holder of the WBA super lightweight belt.
However, the problem with The Problem is he is making waves more for his actions on social media than for his achievements in the ring.
Broner did defeat Khabib Allakhverdiev in October to become a four-weight world champion, but that result came off the back of a disappointing display in a defeat to Shawn Porter.
Ryan Songalia of The Ring magazine wrote after the bout with Porter: "He [Broner] has a solid resume behind him that includes title belts in three divisions. He’ll be a 'name' for as long as he wants to fight but when you’re no longer diversifying your skills, the opposition finds it easier and easier to catch up."
Despite being 26, we may well have seen the best of Broner already.
As detailed by Bleacher Report's own Kevin McRae, he could face Manny Pacquiao in the Filipino's final fight.
That would be a money-spinning bout, but more importantly for Broner, it would offer the chance to change a few opinions about him.
The same cannot be said of a rumoured title defence against Englishman Ashley Theophane, per Isaac Robinson of Sky Sports.
Broner has ability, yet he is still searching for a career-defining victory.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. desperately needs to get his career back on track in 2016.
The Mexican—son of six-time world champion Julio Cesar Chavez—at least seems to know where his future now lies.
Per Miguel Rivera of Boxingscene.com, the 29-year-old has his sights set on facing WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack:
"Perhaps I will have the opportunity to challenge for the super middleweight title against Badou Jack. It could [be] done done in the month of March or April. I'm mature and willing to offer the best version Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I know what I want and need, I'll focus on that. With the years that I have remaining in boxing, I'm going to give my best.
"
The odd thing is, Chavez Jr. has only fought at the super-middleweight limit of 168 pounds once in his last four bouts.
His first outing in 2015 saw him quit on his stool after Round 9 of his clash with Andrzej Fonfara for the vacant WBC International light heavyweight title.
A catchweight contest against Marcos Reyes saw Chavez Jr. get back to winning ways, but he hurt his left hand in the points triumph.
Whenever he is fit to return, the former WBC middleweight champion needs to show he is still dedicated to the cause.
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George Groves
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George Groves hopes a change of trainer will help him find a way to finally become a world champion.
Shane McGuigan will be in Saint George's corner when the super middleweight faces Andrea Di Luisa on January 30.
It will be the Londoner's first outing since a morale-sapping defeat to WBC champion Badou Jack at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Groves overcame the shock of being knocked down in Round 1 to push the Swedish-born, American-based Jack the distance. In the end, though, Groves was on the wrong end of a split decision.
Paddy Fitzpatrick was his trainer at the time, just as he was for Groves' two defeats to fellow Englishman Carl Froch.
Despite now falling short in three attempts to win a world title, the 27-year-old still has the hunger to carry on, per Neil Fissier of the Express: "I don't think this is last chance saloon. I have got plenty more to offer. They keep on saying to me its make or break after every fight."
His determination is admirable. However, one more defeat could signal the end of his dreams.
Amir Khan
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When Amir Khan dazzled in dismantling Devon Alexander at the end of 2014, his boxing future looked bright.
Fast forward 12 months and Khan's career has stagnated.
His one and only outing in 2015 saw him defeat Chris Algieri on points. It was a comfortable victory, but the performance wasn't of the same standard as the one he produced against Alexander.
The fighter from Bolton, England, had Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his sights in the first half of the year, yet Money faced Andre Berto (someone who could also have made this list) in his final fight before retirement.
Khan's focus then switched to Manny Pacquiao, a former gym-mate from his time working with trainer Freddie Roach.
However, that option also seems to be off the table now, too.
Eddie Hearn—promoter of Khan's domestic rival, Kell Brook—told Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail: "Amir has now told me that he definitely wants to fight Kell in the summer."
A summer showdown against Brook—with Powell's article claiming Wembley Stadium has already been booked—is exactly what Khan needs to regain some momentum.
Wladimir Klitschko
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Wladimir Klitschko isn't used to losing.
Prior to facing Tyson Fury in November, the Ukrainian had only been beaten three times in 68 bouts, with his last defeat occurring back in 2004 against Lamon Brewster.
Despite the concerns over his chin, Dr. Steelhammer became the dominant force in the heavyweight division.
His reign ended, however, when he came up against Fury, a self-promoting Englishman who backed up his words with a big performance in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Klitschko, in contrast, surrendered his IBO, IBF, WBA and WBO titles without putting up much of a fight at all.
As Ben Dirs noted in his report for BBC Sport: "Ukrainian Klitschko, whose nine-year reign as champion was brought to an end, simply could not work the challenger out and did not do enough to win."
A rematch clause in the contract for the first fight offers the 39-year-old a chance at redemption.
He announced his intention to take up the option on his Instagram page, but he most likely will have turned 40 by the time he next steps in the ring.
While he no longer holds the belts, Klitschko still has a lot to lose by facing Fury for a second time. Another loss would be a sorry end to a distinguished career.
As ever, Bleacher Report welcomes your thoughts. Feel free to have your say on the five fighters selected, or offer another option to add to the list, by using the comments section.
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