By: Sean Crose
I’ve been writing for this publication for over ten years now…and 2023 was, doubtless, the strongest of all these years. Technically, I shouldn’t be utilizing the phrase “was,” as a result of right here in Connecticut we nonetheless have virtually 9 hours earlier than we slip into 2024. Nonetheless, since there’s no extra main bouts available till the following calendar yr, I’m going to go along with the previous tense right here. What a yr 2023 was for the game, although! There have been main fights – a few of which truly have been pay per view worthy – unimaginable performances, and a few thrilling throwdowns.
And whereas there have been undoubtedly downer moments available, even the lack of Showtime couldn’t take away from boxing’s upward trajectory these previous twelve months. What’s extra, 2023 is leaving the game loaded for a promising 2024. With Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk set to struggle in February, and Devin Haney in severe talks to face Ryan Garcia, the approaching yr seems to be headed in the suitable route. Naturally, this being boxing we’re speaking about, disappointments will definitely come up, simply as they did in 2023. Large matches gained’t get made, cherries will probably be picked, and probably main fights will probably be pushed apart with the intention to make room for social media smack discuss.
And but the general momentum begun this previous yr is more likely to stay unbroken in 2024. The rationale for that is somewhat easy: After a real dry spell, one the place ambition itself turned retro, boxing has returned to a spot the place daring to be nice is one thing to be inspired. Terrance Crawford confronted Errol Spence in 2023, Naoya Inoue confronted Stephen Fulton, Garcia confronted Gervonta Davis, David Benavidez met Demetrius Andrade, and Katie Taylor battlef Chantelle Cameron for the second time – these have been all matches that would have been prevented by security first fighters. Thankfully, fighters in search of straightforward touches in 2023 appeared to be changing into much less distinguished.
Right here’s hoping such unambitious fighters change their tunes in 2024 by taking probabilities. If 2023 taught us something it’s that boxing is way extra thrilling when identify fighters truly danger shedding. Let’s have in mind in 2024, nonetheless, that main fighters that suffer a loss or two shouldn’t be written off. That form of factor results in the type of security first muck the game was caught in for therefore lengthy. Moreover, boxing is loaded with tales fighters coming again after defeat(s) and attaining glory. Typically, all of it has to do with the mindset.
