We’ve already seen several great boxing matches in 2022, with plenty more still to look forward to! Read on for a full breakdown of the best boxing matches 2022 has to offer, the best boxing betting sites, and some super handy betting tips and boxing promotions.
- 1 Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk II (Heavyweight Title Fight) – 20 August, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- 2 Andy Ruiz Jr vs Loiz Ortiz – September 4, 2022, in Los Angeles, California
- 3 Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury – Date TBA
- 4 Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin III on September 17, Venue TBC, USA
- 5 Biggest Boxing Matches and Previews – Past Highlights
- 6 Tips for Betting on the Biggest Boxing Matches
- 7 ThePuntersPage Final Say
- 8 Boxing Matches 2022 FAQs
Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk II (Heavyweight Title Fight) – 20 August, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
In their first bout, unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk surprised many when he defeated Anthony Joshua by unanimous decision in front of Joshua’s hometown crowd in London, England. The highly anticipated rematch is now scheduled to take place on the 20th of August in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Though Joshua has noted that he sees Usyk as a simple hurdle to his destiny of regaining his undisputed championship, the reality is that the Ukrainian fighter is coming into the rematch as the favourite.
It will be interesting to see what improvements Joshua can make in this rematch to change the final result. Making adjustments will be key for the British fighter, as Usyk seemed to be comfortably in control throughout the initial meeting. Joshua has stated that he sees an early knockout. If this fails to materialise, things could get very interesting in what is set to be, without a doubt, one of the biggest rematches in recent years.
Joshua vs Usyk Winner Odds:
If you think that Oleksandr Usyk was lucky to get the win in their first meeting, you can back Anthony Joshua at 17/10 over at Paddy Power.
On the other hand, if you think that history is going to repeat itself, you might consider the offer that Ladbrokes has with Usyk at 1/2.
Andy Ruiz Jr vs Loiz Ortiz – September 4, 2022, in Los Angeles, California
The highly anticipated showdown between former unified heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr and former WBA interim heavyweight title holder Luis Ortiz has been scheduled for the 4th of September, 2022, in Los Angeles, California, at the Crypto.com Arena.
And what a thrilling contest this is shaping up to be.
Andy Ruiz Jr – the man who shocked the world when he defeated Anthony Joshua in June 2019 – has had a fascinating journey since that fateful day. Having been completely outmatched in their rematch six months later, Ruiz left the sport for 18 months to deal with a knee injury.
Since then, he has been a man transformed, having lost nearly 60 pounds of excess weight, training with Saul Canelo Alverez’s trainer Eddy Reynoso. He's also been telling interviewers he intends on making his way back to the top of the heavyweight division, hoping for fights against the likes of Wilder and Fury.
However, he still has a long way to go. His comeback fight against Chris Arreola saw him win, but in poor form, having admitted himself that he was at about 60% during that fight. He looked much better in his March victory over Arreola, despite a worrying knockdown early in the fight.
To see whether his changes have truly paid off, Luis Ortiz could prove the perfect testing ground. At 43, he remains one of the world’s greatest heavyweights, destroying Alexander Flores within 45 seconds into their fight in November 2020. He also bested Charles Martin by sixth round stoppage in a dominant display.
Ruiz may dominate the headlines, but “King Kong” could prove the end of Andy Ruiz Jr’s dreams of once against making it to the pinnacle of heavyweight boxing.
Best Ruiz JR vs Ortiz Winner Odds:
| Boxer | Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Ruiz Jr | 3/10 | Paddy Power |
| Luis Ortiz | 13/5 | Paddy Power |
| Draw | 18/1 | Betfair |
Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury – Date TBA
The recently announced match between famed social media personality/professional boxer Jake Paul and Tommy Fury is certain to rank as one of the year’s biggest boxing matches when it comes to the number of eyes that will be focusing on the event. These eyes will be there to once again see internet sensation Jake Paul step into the boxing ring. They will also be there to see how Paul fares against a boxer in Tommy Fury, who is as well known for being the brother of Tyson Fury as he is for his own career.
With that said, Fury represents the most credentialed boxer that Paul has faced by a significant margin. The matchup was scheduled to go down at Madison Square Garden in New York City on the 6th of August 2022, but has since been cancelled.
Jake Paul was last seen in action in December of 2021 when he scored a brutal KO over former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. He will now face off against an opponent in Tommy Fury, who grew up immersed in the art of sweet science as the son of respected family patriarch John Fury. In reality, it was supposed to be Fury that Paul faced off against in his last match, but Woodley was brought in as a last-minute replacement when Fury had to pull out due to illness and injury.
Given his lifelong background in boxing and his experience edge, it is no surprise that Tommy Fury comes in as the favourite in this matchup, but only time will tell if Jake Paul can once again pull off a surprising result.
Jake Paul’s MVP Winner Odds:
With the recent announcement that Tommy Fury will step in as Jake Paul’s next opponent, the odds from top bookmakers are already coming in. Tommy Fury comes in as the favourite, with Paddy Power offering 4/5 odds on the British fighter. Punters anticipating a Jake Paul upset should consider getting in on the 11/10 odds that the sportsbook is currently offering.
Canelo Alvarez vs Gennady Golovkin III on September 17, Venue TBC, USA
Another one of the most anticipated boxing matches in 2022 that must be included in this list is the trilogy matchup between four weight class champion Canelo Alvarez and fellow multiple-time world champion Gennady “Triple G” Golovkin. While the first clash between these two iconic fighters ended in a draw, Canelo got the better of Golovkin in the rematch and was awarded a majority decision victory after 12 rounds.
Canelo comes into this trilogy fight with “Triple G” as the decided favourite, and many feel that the only way that Golovkin can overcome Canelo is if he can either find the elusive knockout or simply put on a boxing clinic so complete that the judges will not be able to deny him. Both propositions fall well within the realm of easier said than done.
The reality is that many feel that Canelo simply has Golovkin figured out. At the same time, he will be facing an opponent in Golovkin, who is the owner of one of the sport's most legendary chins. Though he will be going for the knockout, he has to figure out the very real possibility that Golovkin will still be there all the way to the final bell. It all adds up to one of the biggest boxing matches that fans will get to enjoy in 2022.
Canelo vs Golovkin III Winner Odds:
If you favour Gennady Golovkin to finally add a win of his own to a series of fights with Canelo Alvarez that has resulted in one draw and one win for Canelo, then consider checking out the 11/4 odds over at Paddy Power.
If you are picking the favourite in Canelo Alvarez to take the decisive edge in this trilogy, your best bet is the 1/4 odds over at Unibet.
Biggest Boxing Matches and Previews – Past Highlights
There are few better ways of preparing your boxing betting strategy for the future than by researching the past. Below, you will find our past coverage of boxing matches that took place in 2021 and early 2022. Using this information, you can sharpen your boxing predictions and what to expect from boxing matches in 2022.
Mark Magsayo vs Rey Vargas (WBC Featherweight Title) – (Took place on July 9, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas)
On July 9, Mark Magsayo was up for his first defence of the WBC featherweight title when he faced former super bantamweight champion Rey Vargas in San Antonio, Texas, at the Alamodome. Magsayo had recently won the title by defeating former champion Gary Russell Jr.
Hailing from the Philippines, Magsayo was honoured to be given the opportunity to defend his title in the same building, where fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao faced off against Marco Antonio Barrera.
Vargas himself had only recently returned to action after injuries kept him sidelined for quite a while. In his last bout before the match, he defeated Leonardo Baez in a fight that was close to a shutout.
The Mexican in fact was successful in dethroning Magsayo after a thrilling match and surviving a late knockdown. The match was decided by a split decision.
Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castaño 2 (Took place on May 14th, 2022, in Carson, California)
Given the fact that the first Jermell Charlo vs Brian Castaño was such a thriller, fans were full of anticipation for what the rematch would bring. Both fighters were determined to change the result of their first four-belt junior middleweight unification bout, which ended in a split draw. In this highly anticipated second meeting, Charlo quickly showed that he had made some key adjustments. In the end, he scored a vicious KO in a match that saw plenty of back-and-forth through nine rounds of fighting.
The first nine rounds of this epic rematch saw Charlo initially get ahead while Castano was able to eventually adjust and find his own moments. As the fight entered its second half, Charlo again started taking over by using his impeccable movement. With each round, Castano was less able to let his hands go. The end finally came in round 10, when Charlo landed a big shot that sent Castano to the mat. Though he beat the count, he was soon down again, as Charlo hit him with an uppercut and a left hook to the body that closed the show. This huge victory brought Charlo his fourth title.
Saul ‘Canelo' Alvarez vs Dmitry Bivol (Took place on May 7th, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada)
Caleno vs Dmitry Bivol was certainly one of the most anticipated boxing matches of 2022, given the fact that the four-division champion Alvarez was looking to add the WBA (Super) light-heavyweight title to his list of accolades. Unfortunately for Canelo, Bivol had other plans. As the larger fighter, he consistently controlled the bout from start to finish and left the reigning super middleweight champion having to regroup in the aftermath.
The match featured an all-time low of only 84 punches landed by Canelo, while Bivol showed incredible defence that he combined with accurate punching to earn him the unanimous decision victory and a huge upset. In the end, the fight did not feel particularly competitive, and all three judges scored it 115-113 in favour of Bivol.
Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte (Took place on April 23rd, 2022, in London, England)
This main event was one of the biggest spectacles in British boxing that the 2022 calendar year has brought us, seeing WBC and The Ring heavyweight champion Tyson Fury successfully defend his titles against WBC interim heavyweight champion and fellow Brit Dillian Whyte. Fury accomplished this feat in an emphatic fashion by brutally stopping Whyte close to the end of the bout's sixth round.
The bout itself could be described as ugly, but Fury seemed to be in control throughout. Both fighters received referee warnings from Mark Lyson throughout the match as a result of their tendency to roughhouse. Though Whyte showed plenty of heart throughout the contest, it finally came to an end in the sixth round, when Fury landed a devastating right uppercut. To his credit, Whyte was not knocked unconscious, but the referee had seen enough and waved the fight off. After the match was over, Fury announced that it was his last, but only time will tell if the “Gypsy King” sticks to this statement.
Josh Taylor vs Jack Catterall – (Took place on February 26th, 2022, at the SSE Hydro Glasgow)
This monster main event showcased the best the light-welterweight division had to offer when Josh Taylor defended his undisputed status as best in the world for his weight class. The WBC, IBF, WBA, and WBO super lightweight championships were put on the line against Jack Catterall at The SSE Hydro in a hugely controversial contest.
The fight went the distance, with Taylor being awarded a split decision win that has been so contested that it has resulted in one referee having their position downgraded following a review. What should have been one of the best fights of the year has instead been overshadowed by this decision, a painful finish to what was a truly vicious and bloody brawl. And if Taylor is to be believed, we won’t be getting a rematch, as he plans on moving up a weight division. Considering many feel that he was outclassed in this contest, it might be a rematch he’d rather avoid.
Ilunga Makabu vs Thabiso Mchunu – (Took place on January 29th, 2022, at W.D Packard Music Hall, Ohio)
Much of the anticipation for this fight came through its surroundings. It took place in Don King’s home state of Ohio, the legendary promoter of this event and also the manager of defending champion Ilunga Makabu. In addition, it was expected to build to a huge showdown between the winner and Saul Canelo Alvaraz. That, however, didn’t come to fruition. Alvarez isn’t moving to the division as expected, and while Packard Music Hall is a historic venue, that didn’t seem to matter all that much when the bell rang.
What we got instead was a fight so close that it felt like it was being fought upon a razor’s edge, with a split decision going to the defending champion. This came about as two judges favoured Makabu’s forward style as opposed to the counter punching of Mchunu. A true clash of techniques and expertise, this fight kept the audience enthralled throughout, showing us how great boxing shines through all the hype.
Tips for Betting on the Biggest Boxing Matches
Now you’ve got an idea of what kind of boxing matches 2022 has in store, here are a few useful tips on making the most out of the biggest boxing matches of the year.
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Find a quality betting site: The better boxing betting sites you use, the more likely you are to get more coverage, better odds, useful promotions, and an all-round more enjoyable online experience. Check out our list of recommended operators in this article or our selection of the finest boxing betting sites for more details.
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Use multiple sites for the best odds and newest promotions: Remember too that you can sign up to as many betting sites for boxing as you want for a broader selection of odds, events, and the latest and greatest bonus offers.
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Bet on similar events: While there are plenty of huge boxing matches in 2022 to look forward to, the fact is that this is a sport where the big fixtures do not come round as often as some other sports. If you want to brush up on your prediction skills for an upcoming boxing event, it may be worthwhile checking out comparable sports such as UFC betting, which has a similar set of markets.
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Utilise the opportunity to study form: Fighters often have large gaps between their fights, and that means there is ample opportunity to study form in detail, even by watching past matches if they are publicly available. Big fights give ample room for research, and it’s a good idea to take advantage of that as part of your betting strategy.
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Check out multiple markets: Boxing fans can enjoy a great variety of markets beyond just backing who they want to win. More markets means more betting opportunities, such as round predictions or method of victory. Therefore, it is worth checking to see if something strikes you as great odds value.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
Boxing is a sport made up of big events. Unlike others where there is a set structure for the year’s sporting layout, say for the Rugby Union or Premier League betting, boxing doesn’t have a routine. Bouts are decided based on negotiations and accolades and what will most interest fans. It also means that you need to keep paying attention to know what’s coming up on the year’s boxing calendar, and we hope that here we have provided a window into what you can expect from boxing matches in 2022.
Keep up with the best boxing predictions in 2022 by checking back regularly here at ThePuntersPage!
Boxing Matches 2022 FAQs
Although some of the biggest boxing matches of 2022 are yet to take place, there has already been a great selection of bouts that have taken place this year that include Tyson Fury vs Dillian Whyte and Saul “Canelo” Alvara vs Dmitry Bivol. Some of the most anticipated bouts that fight fans can look forward to through the second half of the year include Canelo Alvaraz vs Gennady Golovkin III and Andy Ruiz vs Luis Ortiz.
Yes – a fight which has a fair amount of publicity may lead to bookmakers providing offers on that event exclusively. General sportsbook promotions are also often applicable.
There’s no shortage of coverage on big boxing events across all kinds of bookmakers, but some certainly provide a better variety of markets and a finer betting experience than others.
While no bookmaker can claim to always have the best odds on any sport, there are definitely operators which provide most consistent odds than others, which is a big consideration for our top picks above.
The reason is twofold – boxing matches aren’t generally booked until a few months beforehand, and additional uncertainties still linger on due to the ongoing effects of the pandemic.