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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 together with the previous tense right here. What a yr 2023 was for the game, although! There have been main fights – a few of which really 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 combat in February, and Devin Haney in severe talks to face Ryan Garcia, the approaching yr seems to be headed in the correct route. Naturally, this being boxing we’re speaking about, disappointments will definitely come up, simply as they did in 2023. Large matches received’t get made, cherries will likely be picked, and doubtlessly main fights will likely be pushed apart with the intention to make room for social media smack discuss.
And but the general momentum begun this previous yr is prone to stay unbroken in 2024. The rationale for that is reasonably easy: After a real dry spell, one the place ambition itself grew to become 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 might have been prevented by security first fighters. Thankfully, fighters searching for simple touches in 2023 appeared to be changing into much less outstanding.
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 much extra thrilling when title fighters really threat shedding. Let’s take note in 2024, nonetheless, that main fighters who are suffering a loss or two shouldn’t be written off. That type of factor results in the sort of security first muck the game was caught in for thus lengthy. In addition to, boxing is loaded with tales fighters coming again after defeat(s) and attaining glory. Usually, all of it has to do with the mindset.
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