Upcoming 2021 Boxing Schedule
Boxing is finally starting to return to a sense of normality following on from the setbacks and delays of the global pandemic.
As fans are steadily being allowed back into venues and restrictions are gradually lifted, the big match-ups are continuing to be made this year.
BOXRAW outline the upcoming 2021 boxing schedule ahead of many more high-profile fights throughout the calendar year.
Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren (April 17th)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Live on Fite TV PPV
YouTube star Jake Paul will continue his controversial transition into professional boxing with another high-profile match-up against former USA Olympic wrestler and UFC contender Ben Askren.
After scoring a 2nd-round viral-sensation knockout victory over NBA veteran Nate Robinson last October, Paul is aiming to move to 3-0 as a pro against recently retired MMA fighter Askren - who previously reigned as ONE Championship and Bellator welterweight champion.
Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach (April 17th)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
Live on Fite TV PPV
In the chief support to Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren, former WBA light-welterweight champion Regis Prograis returns to the ring to face Ivan Redkach with the aim of securing a victory that will edge him closer towards another world title shot.
Demetrius Andrade vs. Liam Williams (April 17th)
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, USA
Live on DAZN
Current WBO middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade will make the fourth defence of his title against rejuvenated Welsh challenger Liam Williams.
‘Boo Boo’ has been untroubled throughout his reign so far and a triumph here can potentially set up a more prosperous match-up against the likes of Gennadiy Golovkin or Jermall Charlo down the line.
Emanuel Navarrete vs. Christopher Diaz (April 24th)
Silver Spurs Arena, Florida, USA
Live on ESPN
It’s the latest instalment of boxing’s famous Mexico versus Puerto Rico rivalry, as WBO featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete defends his title against former Prospect of the year Christopher Diaz.
Edgar Berlanga vs. Demond Nicholson (April 24th)
Silver Spurs Arena, Florida, USA
Live on ESPN
Middleweight knockout sensation Edgar Berlanga will look to maintain his incredible first-round stoppage streak when he next faces off with Demond Nicholson.
The American-Puerto Rican prodigy has so far stopped all 16 of his opponents inside the opening stanza and is now chasing the all-time consecutive first-round record. Can he keep the streak alive?
Moruti Mthalane vs. Sunny Edwards (April 30th)
Copper Box Arena, London, UK
Live on BT Sport and ESPN
British super-flyweight champion Sunny Edwards will drop down divisions in order to contest reigning IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane for his crown in London.
The unbeaten contender is hoping to emulate his older brother Charlie Edwards in becoming a world champion but holds a tough task ahead of him against an experienced South African champion.
Michael Conlan vs. Ionut Baluta (April 30th)
Copper Box Arena, London, UK
Live on BT Sport and ESPN
Ireland’s latest boxing star Michael Conlan is hot on the trail of a world title and he will look to take another positive step closer to a shot at the gold with victory over tough upset-specialist Ionut Baluta.
The Belfast fighter’s latest opponent has already secured shock victories over fellow Irishmen TJ Doheny and David Oliver Joyce previously but he will be confident of avoiding a derailing defeat and edging towards a super-bantamweight title bout.
Dereck Chisora vs. Joseph Parker (May 1st)
Manchester Arena, London, UK
Live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN
A packed Sky Sports Box Office card from London will be headlined by a heavyweight battle between Dereck Chisora and Joseph Parker.
Both men are aiming to get their careers back on track in what is likely to be an all-action clash as the top of the bill in the English capital.
Dmitry Bivol vs. Craig Richards (May 1st)
Manchester Arena, London, UK
Live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN
WBA light-heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol will finally make his return to the ring on the Chisora-Parker undercard, as he defends his belt against British challenger Craig Richards.
The Russian is regarded by many as the leading man in the division but a showdown with compatriot and current unified champion Artur Beterbiev could lie on the horizon with an impressive triumph on the road here.
Katie Taylor vs. Natasha Jonas (May 1st)
Manchester Arena, London, UK
Live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN
In one of the most anticipated women’s fights in recent times, former amateur rivals Katie Taylor and Natasha Jonas will collide in Manchester for the Irish star’s undisputed lightweight titles.
Chris Eubank Jr vs. Marcus Morrison (May 1st)
Manchester Arena, London, UK
Live on Sky Sports Box Office and DAZN
Polarising super-middleweight fighter Chris Eubank Jr. will return to the ring after over a year of inactivity, as he welcomes the challenge of Manchester’s Marcus Morrison.
After a training recent link-up with the legendary Roy Jones Jr. and new promotional deal, Eubank Jr. has been calling for the higher profile names, such as Canelo Alvarez, but must first deal with the threat at hand in Manchester.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Chris Arreola (May 1st)
Dignity Health Sports Park, California, USA
Live on FOX Sports
Having scaled the dizzy heights of heavyweight supremacy with his stunning upset victory over Anthony Joshua, Andy Ruiz Jr. also endured a dramatic fall from grace in the rematch loss.
The former unified world heavyweight champion is now training alongside Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia under the esteemed guidance of Eddy Reynoso, as he prepares to return for a clash against Chris Arreola in California.
Canelo Alvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders (May 8th)
AT&T Stadium, Texas, USA
Live on DAZN
It’s another massive Cinco de Mayo weekend in boxing. The biggest star in the sport is back in action as Canelo Alvarez readies himself for the challenge of Billy Joe Saunders in a highly-awaited unification match-up in Texas.
With the WBA and WBC super-middleweight belts in his possession, Canelo aims to dethrone WBO holder Saunders and move closer to his goal of becoming undisputed king of the division.
Luis Nery vs. Brandon Figueroa (May 15th)
USA
Live on Showtime
Mexican star Luis Nery will defend his WBC super-bantamweight title against latest challenger Brandon Figueroa on a packed Showtime Boxing schedule.
Josh Taylor vs. Jose Ramirez (May 22nd)
Las Vegas, USA
Live on ESPN
In one of the most eagerly awaited fights of 2021, Josh Taylor and Jose Ramirez will collide for the honour of being crowned the undisputed light-welterweight champion.
Scotland’s Taylor holds the WBA and IBF straps, while Ramirez owns the WBO and WBC. All the marbles will be on the line when the two trade leather in Las Vegas.
Elvis Rodriguez vs. Kenneth Sims Jr. (May 22nd)
Las Vegas, USA
Live on ESPN
Rising knockout star Elvis Rodriguez will aim to continue his charge in the light-welterweight ranks when next takes on Kenneth Sims Jr.
Devin Haney vs. Jorge Linares (May 29th)
Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas, USA
Live on DAZN
It’s a battle of youth versus experience as WBC lightweight titlist Devin Haney meets former three-division world champion Jorge Linares.
In a step up clash for Haney, he can prove any remaining doubters wrong with a stand-out performance against the experienced Venezuaelan. But could there be an upset on the cards in Sin City?
Nordine Oubaali vs. Nonito Donaire (May 29th)
USA
Live on Showtime
Four-division world champion Nonito Donaire will collide with Nordine Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight crown.
Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr. (June 5th)
USA
Live on Triller PPV
Following a sensational decision win over Vasyl Lomachenko, Teofimo Lopez will be out to make a successful first defence of his lightweight title against George Kambosos Jr.
It’s an intriguing summer match-up between the newly-crowned lightweight ruler and a relentless upcoming challenger. Who will come out on top?
Shakur Stevenson vs. Jeremiah Nakathila (June 12th)
New York, USA
Live on ESPN
Already a world champion at featherweight, Shakur Stevenson is now targeting a second division crown as he moves through the super-featherweight ranks.
A win here over Jeremiah Nakathila will see him claim the interim WBO strap, leading to a potential match-up against current champion Jamel Herring after his recent triumph over Carl Frampton.
Miguel Cotto vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (June 12th)
Miami, USA
Live on Independant PPV
Continuing the recent trend of legendary fighters coming back for exhibition match-ups, previously retired greats Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez will square off this summer.
Jermall Charlo vs Juan Montiel (June 19th)
USA
Live on Showtime
WBC middleweight champion Jermall Charlo will defend his title against challenger Juan Montiel.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Anderson Silva (June 19th)
Guadalajara, Mexico
In another familiar recent theme of crossover clashes, former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is set to meet MMA legend Anderson Silva in Mexico.
Silva was recently released from the UFC, where he was previously a dominant middleweight champion, as he now prepares for his move back into professional boxing at 45 years of age.
Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. vs. Hector Camacho Jr. (June 19th)
Guadalajara, Mexico
On the same card as his son’s crossover clash, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. will also return to action in an exhibition against Hector Camacho Jr. in Mexico.
Gervonta Davis vs. Mario Barrios (June 26th)
USA
Live on Showtime PPV
Pound-for-pound star Gervonta Davis returns off the back of a KO of the Year victory over Leo Santa Cruz, as he prepares to jump up two weight divisions and face an undefeated champion.
'Tank' will next contest WBA light-welterweight title holder Mario Barrios live on PPV, stepping up for another high-profile match-up this summer.
Ryan Garcia vs. Javier Fortuna (July 9th)
USA
Live on DAZN
Lightweight star Ryan Garcia will defend his current WBC interim title against Javier Fortuna with the hope of setting up a shot at world honours.
The American is coming off a career-best knockout victory over former world title challenger Luke Campbell in January and a second success of 2021 could put him in line for a showdown with Devin Haney.
Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales IV (July 16th)
Two more iconic fighters will dust off their gloves for an exhibition match-up this summer, as former bitter rivals Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales engage in their fourth ring meeting.
Header Image: Ed Mulholland/Handout Photo via USA TODAY Sports