Bernard Hopkins Bows Out in 10 Fights to Watch in the Month of December
December is upon us, offering the chance for a period of reflection before we welcome in a new year full of hope and expectation.
Could 2017 finally see Saul Alvarez face Gennady Golovkin?
Will Vasyl Lomachenko be involved in a huge fight (hopefully against someone who doesn't quit on him when the going gets tough)?
Will Floyd Mayweather Jr. be tempted back for one more outing with the chance to move to 50-0?
And can a fully healthy Tyson Fury return to the heavyweight scene with a bang?
However, before we get too carried away with what could happen in the future, it's time to say goodbye to 2016. Thankfully, the boxing business isn't winding down for a quiet finish to the year.
The final month includes some intriguing fights around the world, with several rising stars getting the chance to prove themselves at the top table.
At the other end of the spectrum, a modern-day legend bows out as Bernard Hopkins laces up the gloves for one last time.
Let Bleacher Report wrap up the presents on offer with a rundown of 10 fights not to be missed in the coming weeks.
Kubrat Pulev vs. Samuel Peter
1 of 10
When: December 3
Where: Arena Armeec, Sofia, Bulgaria
Hands up if you knew Samuel Peter (36-5, 29 KOs) was fighting again? Well, apparently he is.
The Nigerian Nightmare is on the comeback trail at the age of 36. In his first bout for over two years, Peter recorded a victory over unknown Mexican heavyweight Juan Carlos Salas in October.
For his next outing, the Las Vegas-based boxer has agreed to take on a far tougher opponent.
Kubrat Pulev (23-1, 12 KOs) may only be a year younger than his next foe, but he is fresher and has only lost to Wladimir Klitschko in his pro career.
The Bulgarian, who regained the European title in May by beating Dereck Chisora on points, will fight on home soil for the first time as a pro.
By the way, the vacant WBA Intercontinental heavyweight belt is up for grabs at the Arena Armeec.
Prediction
Peter hasn't weighed in at less than 260 pounds since 2010, and while his power won't have disappeared entirely, his only hope appears to be detonating a huge bomb in the early rounds.
With Pulev determined to do well in Sofia, expect the local boy to win by stoppage against an opponent so far past his prime he can barely see it in the rear-view mirror.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Joseph Parker
2 of 10
When: December 10
Where: Vector Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Joseph Parker (21-0, 18 KOs) was ensconced as mandatory challenger for the IBF title.
However, a fight against Anthony Joshua—the reigning IBF champion—will have to wait until 2017, as the New Zealander has instead accepted the opportunity to fight for the vacant WBO heavyweight belt.
It seems the chance to become a world champion has seen Parker step things up in preparation for the biggest fight of his career to date.
"There is more clarity in Joe's eyes, there is more focus when he and I are in the ring, the eye contact between us is better than it's ever been," trainer Kevin Barry said, per Duncan Johnstone of Stuff.co.nz. "And it needs to be because this is the biggest challenge we have ever had."
Opponent Andy Ruiz Jr. (29-0, 19 KOs) is certainly big.
The Mexican-born fighter, who used to work with trainer Freddie Roach, weighed in at just shy of 300 pounds for his pro debut, although he has trimmed down since.
Prediction
Here are two heavyweights determined to make an impact in the division. Parker has the bigger profile, but Ruiz Jr. is a dangerous foe. It should be a fun watch—home advantage could be decisive.
Anthony Joshua vs. Eric Molina
3 of 10
When: December 10
Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
It's hard not to be a little disappointed with Anthony Joshua's second defence of the IBF heavyweight title.
While Eric Molina (25-3, 19 KOs) is a solid-enough option for a top-of-the-bill clash on a pay-per-view card, the American feels like a second-rate replacement to the man who was in pole position for the fight.
For a brief period, it appeared Joshua (17-0, 17 KOs) would be taking on Wladimir Klitschko in Manchester, England.
However, a lack of time (Klitschko had suddenly became free after his rematch with Tyson Fury was postponed) forced all parties to push back any potential meeting to 2017.
Dr. Steelhammer could still be present at the Manchester Arena, according to Richard Damerell of Sky Sports.
The Ukrainian, along with a sold-out arena, will watch with interest as Joshua goes up against someone who lasted into the ninth round against Deontay Wilder in June 2015.
Prediction
Joshua will fancy putting away Molina—who was once knocked out in 150 seconds by Chris Arreola—quicker than Wilder managed last year.
The Englishman will beat Drummer Boy inside six rounds, paving the way for some monumental fights in 2017.
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Luis Concepcion vs. Khalid Yafai
4 of 10
When: December 10
Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
Bonfire night may fall in November, but Khalid Yafai is predicting a fireworks display when he faces WBA super flyweight champion Luis Concepcion.
"I have studied Concepcion a lot. He is aggressive, powerful and strong," he told Mike Lockley of the Birmingham Mail. "It will be a great fight, no doubt about that. I don’t see it going the distance, I think I will knock him out in one hell of a fight."
Yafai (20-0, 14 KOs) has waited patiently for his opportunity at a world title. He was seemingly set to face IBF holder McJoe Arroyo, only for the Puerto Rican to lose to Jerwin Ancajas. Instead, he now gets a shot at Concepcion (35-4, 24 KOs).
The 31-year-old from Panama—who is nicknamed El Nica—holds a win over Kohei Kono but was stopped twice by Hernan Marquez down at flyweight.
Prediction
Yafai is big for the 115-pound weight class. He is a brutal body puncher, too, but he may have to be patient against Concepcion, who has fought 211 rounds.
Eventually, though, the champion will succumb and relinquish his grip on the WBA belt.
Dillian Whyte vs. Dereck Chisora
5 of 10
When: December 10
Where: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England
It seems only right that Dillian Whyte and Dereck Chisora should go head-to-head in pantomime season.
The two heavyweights just don't seem able to get along with each other, as demonstrated when they were pulled apart on the set of Sky Sports' The Gloves Are Off show.
Security could be busy again when the duo are together in the same room for media events prior to December 10, although it is hoped they don't come to blows before entering the ring.
Whyte (19-1, 15 KOs) will be defending the British title he picked up with victory over Ian Lewison in October. However, his career-best performance remains his defiant display in defeat against Anthony Joshua.
Having shared a ring with Tyson Fury (twice), David Haye and Vitali Klitschko, Chisora (26-6, 18 KOs) knows a thing or two about showing bravery in a losing cause.
The winner of this domestic dust-up could get a world title shot in 2017. The loser, though, will face an uncertain future.
Prediction
Whyte's career appears to be on the rise. Chisora, in contrast, may be heading down the other side of the heavyweight hill.
Expect a brawl, with Whyte eventually coming out on top, and spare a thought for the poor referee who has to try to keep a lid on the pair.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Dominik Britsch
6 of 10
When: December 10
Where: Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico
With all respect to Dominik Britsch, all eyes will be focused on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Arena Monterrey.
After over a year of inactivity, Mexican Chavez Jr. (49-2-1, 32 KOs) returns to action on home soil in a 10-rounder made at a catchweight of 169 pounds, per BoxRec.
"My absence from the ring for (more than) one year was because of several factors. I fractured my hand (and had surgery) and then there were questions about promoters and television networks. But all that is behind me," Chavez Jr. said at the press conference to announce the bout, per Dan Rafael of ESPN.com.
The former middleweight world champion is talking the talk, but we need to see if he's got the hunger (pun intended) to back up his words with actions.
Nothing but a win will do against Britsch (32-2-1, 11 KOs), a 29-year-old German with a weak CV.
Prediction
Britsch's low KO ratio of 31 per cent suggests Chavez Jr. can walk through anything that comes his way and force a stoppage.
However, it wouldn't be a disaster if he has to go the distance.
Terence Crawford vs. John Molina Jr.
7 of 10
When: December 10
Where: CenturyLink Center, Omaha, Nebraska
After fights in New York and Las Vegas in 2016, Terence Crawford is back on home turf to take on John Molina Jr.
The Nebraska native defends his WBC and WBO super lightweight titles knowing an impressive performance could pave the way for big fights in 2017.
Crawford (29-0, 20 KOs) could be a potential opponent for Manny Pacquiao. Bud also made it clear he would move up to welterweight to take on Danny Garcia following a Twitter spat between the pair.
Before he can contemplate next year, he has to finish 2016 with a win over Molina Jr. (29-6, 23 KOs), who revitalised his career with a points win over Ruslan Provodnikov in June.
However, he's not fancied to spring an even bigger surprise at CenturyLink Center. Per Odds Shark, he's a 16-1 long shot for victory.
Prediction
Crawford will win, but it's not just about the result for him. The 29-year-old needs to put on a show in front of his fans.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Smith Jr.
8 of 10
When: December 17
Where: The Forum, Inglewood, California
All good things must come to an end. After a career that has spanned four decades, Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs) is ready to hang up the gloves.
The Alien has picked Joe Smith Jr. as his 67th and final opponent. It is a fight for the WBC International title at light heavyweight, but the belt barely matters in the grand scheme of things.
This is all about Hopkins attempting to bow out a winner.
He has not fought since suffering a lopsided points loss to Sergey Kovalev in November 2014, but you hardly have to worry about ring rust being an issue.
The two-weight world champion will be just a month shy of his 52nd birthday by the time he steps between the ropes, yet you can expect him to be in excellent condition.
Smith Jr. (22-1, 18 KOs) caused a surprise in June, knocking out Andrzej Fonfara inside a round. However, it seems highly unlikely he will produce a similar result at the Forum in Inglewood.
Hopkins—who has previously shared a ring with Joe Calzaghe, Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones Jr. (twice) and Felix Trinidad—has never been stopped.
Prediction
Smith Jr. has never been 12 rounds, and Hopkins hasn't won inside the distance since 2004. This has all the makings of the latter winning convincingly on points.
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Thabiso Mchunu
9 of 10
When: December 17
Where: The Forum, Inglewood, California
Although appearing on the undercard to Hopkins' farewell fight, Oleksandr Usyk (10-0, 9 KOs) will be looking to steal the show on his American debut.
The Ukrainian secured the WBO cruiserweight title in just his 10th professional bout, comfortably outpointing Krzysztof Glowacki in the Polish fighter's back yard.
Now Usyk—a southpaw who won a gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 2012 London Olympics—gets the chance to impress a new audience live on HBO.
Promoter Tom Loeffler has high hopes for the 29-year-old, believing he can have a similar impact on the U.S. market to Gennady Golovkin.
"The cruiserweight division hasn’t received the attention. I think the American fans will really take to him, similarly as they’ve done with GGG," Loeffler told Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times.
Thabiso Mchunu appears to be a sacrificial lamb. The South African (17-2, 11 KOs) has lost to Ilunga Makabu, who was sensationally knocked out by Tony Bellew inside three rounds earlier this year.
Prediction
Usyk will systematically break down Mchunu and win inside the distance. Prepare to be impressed, America.
Lee Haskins vs. Shohei Omori
10 of 10
When: December 31
Where: Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan
When you sit down to tuck into your Christmas dinner this year, spare a thought for poor Lee Haskins.
The Englishman will have to forget about having turkey and all the trimmings on December 25—his focus is on staying trim ahead of a tricky defence of his IBF bantamweight crown.
Haskins (34-3, 14 KOs) has agreed to head out to Japan to take on Shohei Omori (17-1, 12 KOs) on New Year's Eve.
"This was an offer we simply could not turn down. With the television deal the Japanese have in place, the money on the table makes fighting overseas a worthwhile risk in this instance," manager and promoter Jamie Sanigar told Andy Stockhausen of the Bristol Post.
The sacrifice is seen as worthwhile. At the age of 33, and after a topsy-turvy career, Haskins wants to cash in on his status.
Omori may be 10 years younger and three inches taller (he stands at 5'8", Haskins is 5'5"), but he will find the champion a slippery customer to deal with.
Also on the bill, Jonathan Guzman defends his IBF super bantamweight belt against Yukinori Oguni.
Prediction
Haskins did just about enough to defeat domestic rival Stuart Hall last time out. The southpaw may need to be more aggressive on the road, but he is more than capable of securing another points triumph.
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