January looks set to see a strong start in the boxing world, with world title defences and intriguing bouts worldwide. The end to 2024, saw
Oleksandr Usyk defeat Tyson Fury
again, and attention now turns to 2025, with Big Fight Weekend presenting you three fights from the boxing schedule to look forward to in January in no particular order.
Boxing Schedule: Three Fights to Look Forward to in January
Jai Opetaia vs. David Nyika – January 8
Unbeaten IBF cruiserweight king Jai Opetaia (26-0, 20 KOs) returns to action on January 8, 2025, to defend his
IBF strap
against unbeaten New Zealand fighter David Nyika (10-0, 9 KOs) at the Gold Coast Convention Centre, Broadbeach, Queensland live on DAZN.
Huseyin Cinkara was the original opponent for the big punching Australian before Cinkara withdrew from the fight due to an ankle injury. There’s no debating that Nyika is coming into the fight as a huge underdog, but in boxing, you never know. Can Opetaia impress and move on to much-desired unification fights or can “The Nice Guy” shock the world?
Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman – January 24
Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) is back on January 24 to face the undefeated Australian
Sam Goodman
(19-0, 8 KOs) at the Ariake Arena, Tokyo. The fight was due
to take place
on December 24, before Goodman
sustained a cut in sparring
.
Goodman has a high ring IQ but can he survive the devastating power of a “Monster.” Whenever Inoue fights, the boxing world tunes in and Jan. 24 will be no different.
Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido – January 25
Andy Cruz (4-0, 2 KOs) the highly decorated Cuban amateur will return on January 25 on the same card as Diego Pacheco
in Las Vegas
. The Cuban fighter will face Omar Salcido (20-1, 14 KOs) in a 10-round lightweight contest.
Trained by Bozy Ennis, he has shown what a huge talent he is. His last fight was a step up, stopping Antonio Moran on the
Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov
undercard.
Salcido will again be a step up for Cruz. The unbeaten Cuban picks his punches impressively and is learning to sit down on his punches and stop durable opponents. Under the tutelage of Ennis, Cruz looks set for a memorable 2025.
Stay with Big Fight Weekend for the build-up to all three fights and more, including news and predictions.
