A much-demanded rematch, the ‘non-PPV’ return of Anthony Joshua and the chance to see Britain’s most exciting talent. Let’s run through Matchroom’s early 2023 schedule.

Boxing’s social media presence means that keeping secrets in the sport has never been more difficult. Matchroom’s early 2023 schedule fell victim to this, with Monday’s announcement leaving little surprise, but at least offering fans some much needed confirmation on what so far looks a fairly light British (and Irish) calendar. 

It was always going to be an announcement that split opinion. Boxing fans are hardly timid when it comes to showing their feelings on the value and quality of content. 

And in their post-Sky Sports era, it seems that Matchroom, more than anyone, has found it harder to keep fans onside, sometimes regardless of what they deliver. 

It all kicks off next weekend with Leigh Wood and Mauricio Lara in Nottingham. Tagged as the ‘Dance with the Devil’, THIS IS EXACTLY THAT FOR LEIGH. Lara is boxing’s spirit of evil. He is gloriously predictable, but it is that predictability that evokes fear. He will swing, and swing for the hills. 

But Leigh is not one to be a sitting duck. His defence is to attack. Which means that be it for four rounds, or an unlikely 12, there is absolutely no way that this fight does not entertain. This one is a box ticked. 

Three weeks later brings the RETURN TO LIVERPOOL OF CALLUM SMITH. Currently next in line for a shot at Artur Beterbiev, you can all but guarantee that the unbeaten Pawel Stepien will be in for an unpleasant night as Smith looks to lay down a marker. 

Whilst the main event might not be the most inspiring match-up, the left-field additions of Liam Paro vs Robbie Davies Jr and Diego Pacheco vs Jack Cullen have added a touch of intrigue. 

A ‘NXT GEN’ CARD SUPPLEMENTS MARCH’S SCHEDULE as some of the country’s, and more specifically the North East’s, hottest prospects get to work. Cyrus Pattinson, Pat McCormack, Mark Dickinson and Calum French are names that in years to come could well add up to form a bumper world title bill in those parts. 

Then it’s to the O2 Arena. A new start in a familiar place for ANTHONY JOSHUA AS HE TAKES ON JERMAINE FRANKLIN. Any fight presented as a ‘confidence builder’ never seems to wash with the boxing public, but this is an Anthony Joshua who has lost three of his last five fights. 

This WAS an Anthony Joshua who, when fuelled by confidence, seemed as if he could run through walls. And it is that Anthony Joshua that boxing craves. If a win over Franklin goes even halfway to bringing that back, then it is British boxing that will be the real winner. 

JOE CORDINA GETS HIS CHANCE to become a two-time world champion after being stripped of the belt due to injury last October. In a boxing world that has some champions inactive for 18 months, it felt like a bit of sore blow to strip the Welshman after his stunning knockout win last summer.

Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov was the beneficiary of Joe’s injury back then, but that is history. Now, history is what Joe must aim to make as he looks to follow Joe Calzaghe, Nathan Cleverly and Robbie Regan in an elite Welsh club. 

Finally, it’s over to Dublin for THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED REMATCH BETWEEN KATIE TAYLOR AND AMANDA SERRANO. Very rarely does a sequel live up to expectation, and after an absolute scorcher at MSG last April, the expectation is that this cannot fail to deliver. 

Fight number one seemed a landmark moment in the timeline of the women’s game. Fight number two is only helping cement the legacy of two of the sport’s greats. Hopefully this re-run is more like a Godfather II than Jaws the Revenge. 

It all begins in Nottingham. 

Oscar Bevis