The top five fights you must watch in July

This month may be missing Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko but there's plenty more going on. Here are the top five fights set for July

John Dennen

The top five fights you must watch in July
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  1. Sergey Kovalev vs Isaac Chilemba – July 11

The fearsome ‘Krusher’, Sergey Kovalev returns to Russia on July 11, a Monday which is unusual for a big fight. Isaac Chilemba has little hope of dethroning the WBA, WBO and IBF light-heavyweight champion but this bout is of interest as Kovalev is tuning up for an excellent match-up with the brilliant Andre Ward, who has finally moved up from super-middleweight.

  1. Guillermo Rigondeaux vs Jazza Dickens – July 16

An unexpected turn of events sees Guillermo Rigondeaux, the great Cuban, one of the finest pound-for-pound boxers in the world today coming to Cardiff to take on an unlikely, challenger James “Jazza” Dickens. This is rescheduled after Rigondeaux left Jazza in the lurch earlier this year. Dickens is a brave Liverpudlian and talented, though make no bones about it, he is a big underdog. But expect a game effort from him.

  1. Deontay Wilder vs Chris Arreola – July 16

You can’t miss a world heavyweight title fight nowadays. America’s Deontay Wilder missed out on a good fight with Alexander Povetkin, after the Russian failed a drug test (he protests his innocence). Wilder promptly rescheduled a title defence for July 16 in his Birmingham, Alabama hometown. Chris Arreola will find it hard to stand up to Wilder’s undoubted power but he is a decent enough name to scramble into action for a short-notice defence.

  1. Terence Crawford vs Viktor Postol – July 23

Neither fighter has the glamour of a superstar yet but this is a match up of the highest order. Crawford of course has looked fantastic, rising through lightweight and super-lightweight winning world titles. Postol though dismantled Lucas Mattthysee, have no doubts he is an extremely effective operator.

  1. Carl Frampton vs Leo Santa Cruz – July 30

Frampton has already had a major fight this year, a clash with great rival Scott Quigg that didn’t come to life until the later rounds. If anyone can guarantee excitement though it’s Leo Santa Cruz, he throws in high volume, is all action and this will be a test of Frampton’s counter-punching and power. Frampton may not be the favourite but expect a thrilling night in New York.

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