10 Fights to Watch During the Month of January 2016
The festive period is over—it is time for us all to get on with 2016.
You've opened all the Christmas presents. You've returned the unwanted ones or at least exchanged them for a size that actually fits.
The turkey is finally all gone; you've have had it in sandwiches and a curry and even slow-cooked what was left in a casserole that's in the freezer for later in the year (or probably never).
New Year's Eve is now a thing of the past, too.
You've made your resolutions (and probably already broken them as well), and now it is time to take down the decorations and get back to reality.
However, don't get too down just yet. The boxing calendar is here to brighten up your world.
Bleacher Report has gone to the trouble of marking your card for the month of January, picking out 10 fights to watch out for in the opening month of 2016.
Evgeny Gradovich vs. Jesus Galicia
1 of 10
When: January 9
Where: Centro Deportivo Boxing Unitres, Valencia, Spain
Evgeny Gradovich (20-1-1, 9 KOs) should not have too many problems against Jesus Galicia.
Gradovich—a former IBF featherweight champion—faces a Mexican opponent who has a 13-8-1 (8 KOs) record as a professional.
However, the reason to take an interest in the bout is because of what the future holds for the American-based Russian.
Gradovich, who lost his IBF title to Lee Selby in London in May 2015 is scheduled to take on reigning WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire in April, per BoxRec.
El Ruso Mexicano gets the chance to hone his skills before facing The Filipino Flash. He needs it, too. The 29-year-old laboured against Aldimar Silva Santos last time out, eventually winning on a split decision after eight difficult rounds.
David Haye vs. Mark de Mori
2 of 10
When: January 16
Where: O2 Arena, London
The wonderful thing about David Haye (26-2, 24 KOs) announcing a comeback is that no one quite knows what to expect.
A two-weight world champion, the Londoner is now 35 and hasn't been seen in a ring since July 2012, when he stopped Dereck Chisora in Round 5.
After bouts against Manuel Charr and Tyson Fury (twice) had to be shelved due to fitness problems, Haye announced his retirement due to a shoulder injury.
Now, though, he is ready to make a return. The timing couldn't be much better, considering the heavyweight division has suddenly come back to life.
Per Martin Domin of the Mail, Haye is ready to throw himself into the mix: "The heavyweight division is a complicated one so I'm going to take it one fight at a time. A fight with Anthony Joshua is one the British public would love to see later on in 2016."
An all-British showdown with Joshua looms in the distance, but first the former WBA heavyweight titleholder has to deal with Mark de Mori.
The Australian has a 30-1-2 (26 KOs) record but has never faced an opponent of Haye's pedigree.
The big question is not if de Mori can cause an upset, but how much the returning Haye has left in the tank.
Deontay Wilder vs. Artur Szpilka
3 of 10
When: January 16
Where: Barclays Center, New York
Unbeaten heavyweight Deontay Wilder defends his WBC title against Artur Szpilka in New York.
It is hardly a voluntary defence to get excited about, although Szpilka (20-1, 15 KOs) is a 6′3″ southpaw from Poland whose only career defeat came on points to Bryant Jennings in 2014.
However, Wilder is 35-0 as a pro. Bar the points triumph over Bermane Stiverne that saw him pick up the WBC belt, he has won all of his fights by KO.
Per Vadim Pushkin of BoxingScene.com, negotiations are already underway for his mandatory defence against Alexander Povetkin later in 2016.
Looking further down the line, Wilder will also be keeping an eye on the progress of three Englishmen: David Haye, Anthony Joshua and, perhaps most of all, Tyson Fury.
He has designs on cleaning up all the belts, per his Twitter feed: "In 2016 I will become the unified heavyweight champ. Those who criticize me will eat their words."
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Charles Martin vs. Vyacheslav Glazkov
4 of 10
When: January 16
Where: Barclays Center, New York
With Tyson Fury's brief reign as IBF heavyweight champion coming to an end, Charles Martin and Vyacheslav Glazkov will meet for the vacant title in New York.
The bout takes place on the undercard to Deontay Wilder's clash with Artur Szpilka at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Fury had become the IBF's new champion with his victory over Wladimir Klitschko, only for the organisation to strip him of the belt after he refused to face mandatory challenger Glazkov (21-0-1, 13 KOs).
Instead, the Ukrainian faces fellow unbeaten fighter Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs).
The American has a long list of early finishes on his CV but lacks any real names of note among his victims.
Whoever wins will catapult himself to the top table in the division. The new champion will also soar to the top of the hit list for plenty of other heavyweights.
Matt Korobov vs. Josue Ovando
5 of 10
When: January 16
Where: The Bomb Factory, Dallas, Texas
Middleweight Matt Korobov had a quiet 2015. Actually he had the entire year off.
The American-based Russian has not been seen in a ring since losing to Andy Lee in December 2014.
He was ahead on all three scorecards when he was stopped by the Irishman in Round 6. The win meant Lee picked up the vacant WBO title, though he has since lost it to Billy Joe Saunders.
Now Korobov finally returns with an eight-round contest against Mexican Josue Ovando (14-8-1, 11 KOs) in Texas.
Per Steve Kim of BoxingScene.com, manager Cameron Dunkin believes Koborov can compete with the top names in the division: "He takes care of himself, he trains hard, he's got a lot of experience. I hope so, I think so."
The southpaw has plenty of names to target at middleweight, though his extended absence leaves him with some catching up to do in the rankings.
Joseph Parker vs. Jason Bergman
6 of 10
When: January 23
Where: Faleata Sports Complex, Apia, Samoa
New Zealander Joseph Parker is making waves in the heavyweight division. That's understandable, considering he weighs in at around 235 pounds.
The 23-year-old has a 17-0 (15 KOs) record heading into what could be a big 2016.
He defends his WBO Oriental title against Jason Bergman (25-11-2, 16 KOs) in Samoa but already has his sights on bigger challenges ahead.
In a radio interview with Newstalk ZB's Tony Veitch (h/t Cameron McMillan of the New Zealand Herald), Parker said:
"I know a lot of people that watch my fights are frustrated that the fights end quickly but I can promise you this year we're definitely going to step up the opponents and it's going to be a lot more interesting fights. We're getting closer to that goal of being champion of the world and I think this year we can make some big noise around the world.
"
Parker has a chance to make "some big noise" against Bergman, who is an experienced southpaw from Pennsylvania, United States.
Danny Garcia vs. Robert Guerrero
7 of 10
When: January 23
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Danny "Swift" Garcia's second outing at welterweight sees him take on the experienced Robert Guerrero in the headline act of a debut Premier Boxing Champions show on Fox.
Swift is 31-0 (18 KOs) but in need of a big fight at this stage of his career.
The move up to 147 pounds opens up plenty of possibilities for him, including a potential rematch with Amir Khan (Garcia knocked out the Englishman in 2012).
But, what about Guerrero?
A former world champion at feather and super featherweight, he failed in an attempt to take the WBA welterweight crown from Keith Thurman in March 2015.
He is 32 now but still harbours hopes of another crack at a major title.
Guerrero said at a pre-fight press conference, per Robert Morales of the Long Beach Press-Telegram: "I’ve got to take advantage of this opportunity. If I want to get back on top, then this is step one. This is a pivotal point in my career."
It is also a pivotal point in Garcia's career, which makes it a must-win fight for both men.
George Groves vs. Andrea Di Luisa
8 of 10
When: January 30
Where: Copper Box Arena, London
A new year and a new coach offer super middleweight George Groves new hope for 2016.
Saint George parted ways with previous trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick after the disheartening loss to Badou Jack in September 2015.
The defeat to Jack was a third failed attempt at a world title, with Groves having previously lost twice to fellow Englishman Carl Froch.
Now, when he makes his return against Andrea Di Luisa, the 27-year-old from London will have Shane McGuigan working his corner.
The Italian Di Luisa (18-3, 14 KOs) looks like an ideal foe to face at the start of a new working partnership.
Lucian Bute flattened him in Round 4, while Christopher Rebrasse—who took Groves the distance—forced Di Luisa to retire after Round 7.
John Ryder vs. Sergey Khomitsky
9 of 10
When: January 30
Where: Copper Box Arena, London
John Ryder provides the chief support to George Groves' clash with Andrea Di Luisa, as The Gorilla takes on Sergey Khomitsky.
Ryder appeared on course to become British champion at middleweight until he came a cropper against Nick Blackwell in May 2015.
The defeat was an unexpected setback for the southpaw from London. He returned to action with a points win over Adam Jones in October, but Khomitsky (30-12-3, 13 KOs) should provide a much sterner test.
The Ukrainian is no stranger to British audiences—he has built himself a reputation for upsetting home favourites.
Back in 2010 he defeated Jamie Moore, while more recently both Frank Buglioni and Adam Etches saw their unbeaten records come to an end at the hands of The Ghost.
Promoter Eddie Hearn told Shaun Brown of BoxingScene.com: "If you beat Khomitsky he’s a gate keeper to fringe world level. If you can beat Khomitsky I think you’re showing you’re a fringe level world fighter. I think John is."
Ryder needs to bury the memory of the loss to Blackwell, but a defeat to Khomitsky would have ghastly repercussions for his career.
Sergey Kovalev vs. Jean Pascal
10 of 10
When: January 30
Where: Bell Centre, Montreal
A rematch against Jean Pascal is the first stage of a three-part plan for Sergey Kovalev in 2016.
Krusher—who holds the IBF, WBA and WBO light heavyweight titles—is looking to take on Adonis Stevenson and Andre Ward during the next 12 months, according to Dan Rafael of ESPN.com.
First, though, he has to find a way to beat a familiar foe in Pascal (30-3-1, 17 KOs).
There is bad blood between the pair stemming back to their first meeting in March 2015.
Kovalev won by TKO in Round 8 but told Behind The Gloves (h/t Sky Sports) how there is still some ill-feeling toward Pascal: "I don't respect him. Everybody saw the last press conference, the weigh-in and the fight itself and boxers shouldn't do it how he did it."
The two men nearly came to blows at the press conference before the first fight.
Pascal's attempts to get under his opponent's skin failed to pay off back then, so this time around he's hoping a change of trainer will make a difference.
Hall of Famer Freddie Roach will be in the corner when the Canadian looks to upset Kovalev's master plan.
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