To be honest, up to this point the 2025 boxing schedule for the most part has been mediocre. (Now, the kids say 'mid', but I'm no longer a kid, so I wont utter that phrase). There has been some notable contests that have taken place -- namely Dmitry Bivol-Artur Beterbiev II and Gervonta Davis' controversial decision over Lamont Roach -- but for the most part what we've gotten throughout the first third of the year has been lackluster.
But things certainly heat up in the summer months. Some key additions to the boxing lineup were announced last week. Here's a look at what's to come...
- June 7 - Keyshawn Davis vs Edwin De Los Santos
Back in November Davis made a triumphant homecoming at the Scope in Norfolk, Virginia (much the way Pernell Whitaker did on a regular basis during his Hall-of-Fame career) where he did a gate of over a $1 million. It's clear that Davis has already become a regional draw. So it made sense for Top Rank to bring him back here after he captured the WBO lightweight title back in February after stopping Denys Berinchyk in four rounds.
Top Rank
De Los Santos is a dangerous fighter who gave Shakur Stevenson a scare back in November of 2023. The problem is that he's been sidelined since that snoozer. On the flip side, this will be the third outing for Davis in eight months.
June 8- Junto Nakatani-Ryosuke Nishida
Then in Japan we have a bantamweight unification bout topping the bill at the Ariake Colloseum. Nakatani, a three-division champion, is a fighter whose star is on the rise. But one thing that he has yet to do is to unify, well, he gets his chance on this day when he puts his WBC belt on the line versus IBF belt-holder, Nishida.
Prime Video
The winner of this bout will also be named the Ring Magazine champion. So as Nakatani awaits his all-Japanese showdown with undisputed junior featherweight champion, Naoya Inoue, he can continue to add to his trophy case at bantamweight.
June 28 - Jake Paul-Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, Gilberto Ramirez-Yuniel Dorticos
OK, technically the main event on this card at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California is the Paul-Chavez Jr. fight, most hardcore fans will consider that either a novelty fight, or the walkout bout. Regardless, this gives 'Zurdo' Ramirez a much larger stage to perform on. Golden Boy had reserved this date for his return after a very productive 2024, and various venues were considered.
MVP/Golden Boy
Say whatever you want about Paul, but the reality is that there will be a substantially larger crowd with him on the card than just Ramirez as the headliner. As for Chavez Jr. while on the surface it may seem like a bit of a step-up bout for him, keep this in kind, it's been about eight years since he faced Saul Alvarez. Since that point he pulled the plug early against Daniel Jacobs and lost to Anderson Silva.
This promotion has brought together MVP Promotions, Golden Boy and DAZN. It will be interesting to see what will be added to this pay-per-view event.
July 12 - Shakur Stevenson-William Zepeda
It took a bit, but this bout has finally been consummated. Stevenson will defend his WBC lightweight crown against Zepeda, who had been the number one contender for a bit. After some back-and-forthing between the two parties, a deal was struck for this bout to take place in New York City (venue to be announced, and no, it's not a traditional one)
Ring Magazine
Stevenson is a master boxer and it will be interesting to see how he will deal with the all-out pressure of Zepeda. On the other hand, did the 22 rounds against the slick boxing Tevin Farmer prepare 'el Camaron' for Stevenson, or expose him? Mike Coppinger of Ring Magazine is reporting that bouts like Edgar Berlanga-Hamzah Sheeraz (at super middleweight) will be part of this bill.
BAD NIGHT
It was a bad night at the office for 'Bad News' Charles Conwell, who was starting to make some waves at 154, and seemingly closing in on a title shot. On Saturday night he was edged by the hard-nosed Jorge Garcia Perez in what was a closely contested bout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp2fWr1zWkY
The scores were 115-113 across the board, with two of them being for the Mexican. It was the right call, while Conwell landed his share of clean shots, he was out-worked throughout the contest. You kept waiting for him to land that big shot but Garcia showed a strong set of whiskers and never wavered.
Cris Esqueda/GBP
It's not a disastrous loss for Conwell, but a tough one. After edging to the front of the line for a significant opportunity at junior middleweight, now he has to take at least a few steps back.
