They’ve been out for a year. Maybe two. Injury, burnout, promotional gridlock—or just a brutal, unexpected defeat that knocked the momentum clean out of their career.

For decades, if you wanted to make it big in boxing, there were two places you had to be—the United States or the United Kingdom. The bright lights of Las Vegas, the electric atmosphere of Madison Square Garden, the packed stadiums of London—this was where the sport’s biggest fights happened, where careers were made, and where the money flowed.

Boxing is a sport built on preparation. Fighters spend months in training camp, fine-tuning their skills, sharpening their strategy, and peaking at just the right time. But what happens when all of that is thrown out the window? Short-notice fights have long been a staple of boxing’s unpredictable nature, but are they a genuine opportunity for fighters looking to break through, or just a brutal form of exploitation that stacks the deck against them?

Let’s cut straight to it—sponsorship deals are the holy grail for most fighters. They offer financial stability, brand exposure, and a much-needed buffer from boxing’s unpredictable paydays. Yet, while a select few at the top rake in fat endorsement checks, many rising fighters are left fighting just to pay the rent. It begs the question: why aren’t more young fighters getting the sponsorship deals they desperately need?

Let’s call it what it is—dodging mandatories has become a sport within the sport. Some of boxing’s biggest stars seem to treat their mandatory challengers like an inconvenient speed bump on the road to bigger paydays and headline-grabbing showdowns. And who can blame them? When there’s more money on the table for facing a fellow superstar rather than a relatively unknown contender, the business side of boxing often wins out. But here’s the question: should fighters be punished for it?

Boxing is often billed as 90% mental and 10% physical, but what happens when the pendulum swings too far in one direction? In today’s fight game, it’s no longer just about having the fastest hands or the hardest chin—it’s about mastering the mind. Fighters are increasingly turning to sports psychologists, meditation apps, and visualization techniques to gain a mental edge. But here’s the big question: is this trend a game-changer, or are we overcomplicating a sport that’s been about grit, blood, and guts for over a century?

Boxing is booming already in 2025, and the year is barely a couple of weeks old. With superfights such as Eubank Jr vs Benn and Garcia vs Haney both pretty much announced, we’ve picked out five weight classes that could host some of the biggest and most exciting bouts over the next 12 months. Where better to start than with the big boys?

Let’s get one thing straight: just because you’ve conquered the amateur ranks, draped yourself in gold medals, and been hailed as the next big thing, doesn’t mean you’re destined for professional glory. Boxing history is littered with amateur stars who failed to transition into successful pros. But why? What is it about crossing over to the professional ranks that separates the hype from the hope, the contenders from the pretenders?

The walkout. It’s the moment a fighter steps into the spotlight, leaving the comfort of the dressing room and entering the cauldron of noise, expectation, and pressure. More than just an entrance, it’s a spectacle, a psychological statement, and a chance to seize control before the first punch is thrown.

There’s something undeniably electric about today’s heavyweight boxing scene. From the towering charisma of Tyson Fury to the explosive power of Deontay Wilder, the gritty resilience of Oleksandr Usyk, and the redemption-seeking spirit of Anthony Joshua—we’re living in an era that feels like it’s on the edge of something legendary. But as these giants contemplate hanging up their gloves, the big question looms: Is this the last golden age of heavyweight boxing?

In the high-stakes world of boxing, we focus so much on the fighter—their grit, power, and discipline—that we often forget about the constellation of people orbiting them: the entourage. An entourage can be many things: a lifeline, a fortress, a support system. But it can also be a source of distraction, indulgence, and ego. The question is: Do entourages truly keep fighters grounded, or are they just a circus of “yes men” who can derail a career as fast as a right hook?

In the world of boxing, few things ignite debate quite like the rematch clause. Initially intended to ensure deserving fighters a fair shot at redemption, rematch clauses have evolved into one of the sport’s most controversial mechanisms. Today, they’ve become a staple in boxing contracts—a tool to guarantee another shot, another payday, another chance to reclaim glory. But here’s the question: Is this truly about fairness, or are fighters and promoters gaming the system to secure lucrative returns?

In boxing, fighters are celebrated for their toughness, resilience, and the grit to withstand anything thrown their way. But what happens when the battles extend beyond the ring, into their minds and hearts? Boxing is one of the loneliest sports, and its pressures are staggering. Fighters don’t just face their opponents in the ring; they face themselves. The question is: are we doing enough to support these warriors beyond the ropes, or are they left to fight their demons alone?

Netflix’s foray into live boxing with the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson exhibition fight has sparked debate across the sport. With 60 million reported streams, it was undeniably a massive event, but does it signal the start of a new era for boxing, or has it exposed critical flaws in the streaming model? From the PPV dilemma to piracy, technical reliability, and the sustainability of multimillion-dollar fight purses, Netflix’s big night has raised more questions than it answered.

In boxing, the decision to retire is as much about the heart as it is about the head. Fighters are wired differently—unwavering in their belief that there’s always one more fight, one more shot at glory. But as careers stretch into their twilight years, the question becomes: are boxers holding on too long, risking their health and legacy for dreams that might never materialise? And who, if anyone, has the right to tell a fighter when to hang up their gloves?

Boxing is a sport defined by discipline, grit, and meticulous preparation. But look closer, and you’ll see another side to it—a world of quirky superstitions, pre-fight rituals, and deeply held beliefs that shape a fighter’s mindset long before they step into the ring. Are these rituals essential psychological armour, or are they simply comforting habits in a chaotic sport? For some fighters, superstitions and routines have become as indispensable as their gloves.

In today’s boxing world, it seems a fighter can’t step into the ring without first running their mouth. Trash talk has become as central to the fight game as the punches themselves—maybe even more so. But here’s the big question: Is this banter building excitement and giving fans a reason to tune in, or is it just cheapening the sport with cheap shots?

2025 is just around the corner and despite not the greatest of years for British world champions, a record of 4-8-1 in world title fights for Britain’s men to be specific, next year looks set to be one of the best in recent years with some enticing match-ups in the works both globally and domestically for Britain’s elite. 

There’s an old saying that success has a thousand fathers, but failure is an orphan. In the case of Anthony Joshua, it seems many have forgotten the countless times he lifted British boxing to new heights, the moments when his triumphs were our triumphs, when his battles became national events, uniting millions. Yet today, after a handful of defeats, whispers of doubt and disrespect creep in from those who once cheered his name. It's time we remember why Anthony Joshua deserves our respect—why, despite the recent setbacks, the man known simply as "AJ" is a legend in his own right.

Daniel Dubois claimed one of the year's biggest victories last Saturday as he powered through the former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua in front of a record-breaking crowd of 98,000 at Wembley Stadium.