As 2022 gets under way, we look at some of the best all-British matchups that can be made this calendar year.
1 Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua
It will never mean as much as it would have done in years gone by, but there can be no denying that the size and power of Fury vs. Joshua still dwarfs every other all-British fight.
2 Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte
This is a fight supposedly destined to happen in 2022, yet whether it does remains to be seen. Whyte has been campaigning for a title shot for some time now and Fury, having beaten Deontay Wilder last year, is his main target.
3 Chris Eubank Jnr vs Liam Williams
This bitter middleweight battle seems to have an element of the curse about it – what with it being scheduled and moved a couple of times already – but we’re led to believe it will take place on February 5 and it should be a thriller, too.
4 Anthony Yarde vs Callum Johnson
As disappointing as it is that Johnson is out of this weekend’s WBO title fight against Joe Smith Jnr, there is still plenty of interest in him meeting Yarde at some stage this year. Both light-heavyweights have bags of power and potential.
5 Callum Smith vs Joshua Buatsi
As unlikely as it seems at this point, a light-heavyweight clash between former super-middleweight titleholder Smith and the undefeated Buatsi would be treat for anyone who enjoys inside fighting.
6 Amir Khan vs Kell Brook
It’s coming much too late, of course, yet Khan and Brook remain compelling figures and their February 19 fight, given the bad blood between them, should still be one of the more interesting style matchups this year.
7 Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall
After their December 2020 date was scrapped, Taylor and Catterall meet in Glasgow on February 26. A clash of unbeaten super-featherweights, Taylor is proven in a way Catterall isn’t.
8 Conor Benn vs Josh Kelly
A fight between Benn and Kelly has been mooted for a long time now but their paths have yet to cross. Benn is currently riding the crest of a wave, whereas Kelly is rebuilding after a loss against David Avanesyan.
9 Daniel Dubois vs Dereck Chisora
If, despite some punishing recent losses, Chisora refuses to retire, he could do worse than bag another payday against Dubois, a young up-and-comer on the comeback trail following a 2020 loss against Joe Joyce.
10 Joe Cordina vs Zelfa Barrett
Whether it’s Zelfa Barrett or someone else, one thing’s for sure: Joe Cordina needs a challenge in 2022. Skillful but unproven, the Welshman has to start stepping up the competition.
