With boxing edging closer to a return due to the COVID-19 pandemic, boxing fans will be clamouring to see the biggest names in the spot compete against each other. In this era of boxing we are getting more fighters willing to take risks and put their records on the line in order to prove a point to the viewing public.

The hope among the boxing community is that promoters will make the fights that the fans want to see once it is safe for the sport to return. Here we pick five fights that boxing fans around the globe will be eager to see.

The announcement that Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua will meet in the summer of 2021 has paved the way for the biggest fight in British boxing history. However, the sport can always provide surprises and a defeat for either man could scupper this huge showdown.

We know now that we will not get to see this fight in 2020 but as boxing begins to return, there are still plenty of fights to be made. Here we preview some of the showdowns that boxing fans will be clamouring to see once the opportunity arises.

Lomachenko v Lopez

Vasyl Lomachenko is one of the biggest names in boxing today with his mix of attacking prowess, expert footwork and unique defence making him a boxer worth watching.

The Ukrainian was a highly regarded amateur winning two Olympic gold medals and despite losing his second fight, in what was a controversial fight with his opponent not being penalised for repeated low blows. Despite the loss he won a world title in his very next fight and he has continued to dazzle audiences with his skills ever since.

Lomachenko has claimed world titles at three different weight classes and it is in the lightweight division where he looks set to face Teófimo López. The IBF lightweight champion is one of the sport’s biggest personalities and he proved that he has the skills to challenge Lomachenko after winning the IBF lightweight title last November.

The 22 year old claimed his world title by knocking out Richard Commey in two rounds with his explosive power giving him a chance of upsetting any lightweight in the world.

This match-up would pit a master tactician against a fighter with knockout power and blistering hand speed. López has shown so far in his career that he is not afraid of fighting the big names while his dancing and backflips after beating opponents has placed more eyes on the man born in America to parents from Honduras.

He divides opinion but one thing is for sure, when he fights, fans are always entertained. Coming up against one of the best in the sport in Vasyl Lomachenko is a bold move for López but it is a fight which boxing fans will be eager to witness.

Inoue v Casimero

Naoye Inoue is one of boxing’s most powerful hitters with the Japanese fighter winning 16 of his 19 fights within the distance. Japan has a proud history of producing high quality fighters in the lower weight classes however these are often not represented in the media.

Inoue started out as a light-flyweight and has won world titles in three different weight classes. The 27 year old beat Nonito Donaire last November with the duo producing a Fight of the Year candidate with the Japanese fighter gaining even more fans after winning on points.

Inoue was due to face Johnriel Casimero before the pandemic led boxing events around the globe to be cancelled. The Filipino is not a household name and he does have a record of 29-4 but there is no doubting the 30 year old’s pedigree.

Casimero has also won world titles in three different weight classes and he earned his shot at facing Inoue. The Filipino upset Zolani Tete by knocking the South African out in three rounds as he secured the WBO bantameight title.

With Inoue holding the Ring, IBF and WBA (Super) titles, this fight would see all the major titles bar the WBC be on the line.

The winner of this bout would be considered by many to be the best in the division and with two boxers with plenty of knockouts on their record (Casimero has won 20 of his 29 fights inside the distance) there is sure to be fireworks when these two meet in the ring.

Taylor v Amanda Serrano

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are arguably the two biggest names in women’s boxing today and the duo were set to face each other on May 2nd before COVID-19 struck. Taylor is an Olympic gold medalist and is undefeated in the professional ranks with a record of 15-0.

The Irish woman has helped propel the popularity of women’s boxing with her aggressive fighting style and slick boxing skills as she has become undisputed lightweight champion and she won the WBO junior-welterweight title.

Amanda Serrano is the most decorated female fighter of all-time winning nine major world titles across seven different weight classes. The Puerto Rico fighter has a 38-1-1 boxing record and has also ventured into MMA winning one and drawing her other bought.

She is a trash talker who has shown throughout her career that she can back up her words. Taylor meanwhile is the polar opposite, quiet and reserved while letting her boxing skills do the talking.

To add intrigue to this bout, Taylor beat Amanda’s sister Cindy in 2018 although Amanda will offer a bigger threat to the Irish woman’s undefeated record.

Serrano has been calling out Katie Taylor for a fight and with both trying to prove they are the best female fighters in the world, this bout will be easy to sell to the public and it could help female fighting grow even further.

Canelo v Saunders

Any fight involving Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez will sell although the Mexican is at the stage of his career where he will want to fight the biggest names within the sport.

Although there are talks of a trilogy bout against Gennady Golovkin, the Kazhakstani did not look impressive in his most recent win against Sergiy Derevyanchenko.

Although this fight would do large numbers, the fear is that GGG has taken part in one too many wars. There are also talks of Canelo facing Derevyanchenko but the Mexican facing a guy with a 13-2 record will leave the fans disappointed.

Saunders is unbeaten in his career although he has failed to kick on since becoming WBO middleweight champion in 2017. The Brit produced a punch perfect display in outpointing David Lemieux but he has not helped himself with his antics outside the ring since then.

Saunders looked sluggish when he beat Marcelo Esteban Coceres in November 2019 but he has the potential to trouble Canelo with his boxing ability.

This fight would present Canelo with a different challenge to what he has usually faced. The Mexican has won wars and beaten bigger men but how can he cope when he needs to press the action against a slick mover and puncher in Billy Joe Saunders?

There are question marks surrounding Saunders’ focus and whether he can overcome a boxer of Canelo’s ability. With the duo keen to answer questions about their abilities, this clash could be a classic if both fighters produce the performances they are capable of.

The public may have to wait until we get to watch the biggest names in boxing face each other but once the sport can resume, the public will be eager to see who can prevail in these mouthwatering match-ups.