The nights are drawing in, the sun-drenched summer is behind us and the slow, inexorable march to morbid John Lewis adverts has begun. There isn’t much to be cheerful about during the seasonal hinterland of autumn’s transition into a bitter winter. But one thing that fans of the squared circle can anticipate is some truly incredible fights.
October is ludicrously stacked this year, with huge names at home and abroad all preparing to engage in gloved combat. Here are The Sportsman’s magnificent seven of fights you can’t afford to miss this month.
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Saturday 8th October
Conor Benn vs Chris Eubank Jr
This bout needs no introduction. This is a continuation of perhaps the greatest rivalry ever fought on British soil. Chris Eubank and Nigel Benn waged two unforgettable wars in the 1990s. Now it is the turn of their sons to rekindle the old flame at the O2 Arena in London. The catchweight limit of 157lbs is a talking point considering Eubank Jr has spent his career at middleweight or higher while Benn has never scaled above welterweight.
Saturday 15th October
Claressa Shields vs Savannah Marshall
This rescheduled superfight looks set to be worth the wait, as the undisputed middleweight championship is decided in this battle of the unbeatens. Shields has conquered all comers to become a three-weight world champion. But she has never met a challenger with the knockout power of Marshall, who has not been taken the distance in four years. ‘The Silent Assassin’ inflicted Shields’ only defeat as an amateur, can she do it again in the pro ranks?
Deontay Wilder vs Robert Helenius
The return of the ‘Bronze Bomber’ is full of questions. The knockout artist has not boxed since his dramatic November 2021 loss to Tyson Fury. Furthermore, Wilder has not face an opponent that was not Tyson Fury since November 2019. Helenius is on a fine run of form, having won a pair of fights against former prospect Adam Kownacki. Expect fireworks while this one lasts.
Devin Haney vs George Kambosos Jr
This undisputed lightweight title rematch sees champion Haney attempt to recreate his impressive decision win over the Aussie. Once again he heads Down Under to do it. The odds are stacked against Kambosos, but we’ve said that about ‘Ferocious’ before. Kambosos broke through with a stunning upset win over Teofimo Lopez in 2021. He’ll need a similar performance to trouble the impressive Haney.
Saturday 29th October
Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Jamaine Ortiz
‘The Matrix’ reloads against unbeaten prospect Ortiz in an exciting lightweight clash. Lomachenko is set to meet the Haney/Kambosos victor if he gets past Ortiz, as he looks to plot a path back to the top of the 135lb division. Ortiz impressed beating former world champion Jamel Herring last time out, but ‘Loma’ is not built like most men. If Ortiz goes the distance he’ll emerge with credit. If he wins he’ll go down in history.
Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva
We’re as surprised as anyone to find Jake Paul on a list of highly anticipated boxing matches. But credit where it’s due, this bout with ‘The Spider’ is a step-up. Paul exclusively feasts on YouTubers or athletes from other sports and specialises in beating washed-up ex-UFC fighters. On the surface, 47-year-old former UFC middleweight king Silva fits the bill. But unlike Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren, Silva is an elite striker. He also holds a boxing win over former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. No doubt about it, this is Jake’s toughest test thus far.
Katie Taylor vs Karen Elizabeth Carabajal
‘The Bray Bomber’ returns off the back of her Fight of the Year victory over Amanda Serrano. She defends her undisputed lightweight championship against unbeaten Karen Elizabteh Carabajal. The challenger has never fought outside her native Argentina and could not have picked a tougher fight for her debut abroad. With a Serrano rematch and a possible Croker Park date in her future, Taylor can’t afford to slip up here.
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change
