Top 5 Boxing Matches of 2021

Boxing had plenty of storylines in 2021, including the highly anticipated Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury Part III.

We have scoured the memory banks to find five of the best fights of the year, which includes titles changing hands and big knockouts.

Boxing betting was hugely popular in 2021 and the following five fights were a big reason why.

5. Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos

There weren’t many in the camp of George Kambosos, but we knew the Australian represented excellent value.

He was considered an easy opponent for champion Teofimo Lopez, who was on his way to bigger fights against highly-touted Americans. However, it didn’t pan out the way he had hoped.

Kambosos scored the split decision victory after appearing to dominate the fight. Lopez was looking past Kambosos, which cost him the fight and his unbeaten record.

It was an excellent lead-up with Lopez and his father coming under scrutiny for the way they handled press conferences. Kambosos got the last word with the WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight belts around his waist.

Adding to the drama, doctor Linda Dahl said one more punch could have killed Lopez after he suffered an esophageal tear, which can be deadly if a punch landed on his throat.

4. Canelo Alvarez vs Caleb Plant

It was a close fight between Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant before Alvarez scored an 11th-round stoppage.

He won the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO super middleweight titles to become one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of all time.

The fight lived up to the hype with Alvarez and Plant trading blows in an even contest. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Alvarez prior to the stoppage, but judge Patricia Morse Jarman scored it 96-94, so it was close.

The best thing about this fight was the pre-fight antics. Alvarez lost his cool and punched Plant at a press conference, which resulted in the fight being delayed.

No love was lost in the ring and this was a fight for boxing purists.

3. Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury III

We were tempted to put this fight at the top spot, but Wilder vs Fury III sits firmly in third place.

It was the biggest fight of the year for the sportsbook and the action didn’t disappoint. Wilder looked to have the early advantage after rocking Fury, but The Gypsy King would prevail with an 11th-round knockout.

There was criticism for Wilder that he’s a one-trick pony and this fight didn’t help his cause. He was outboxed by a classy fighter who has more weapons.

Wilder appeared to be out of ideas once his right hook didn’t have the knockout power we thought it had. Fury got rocked with it, but he was unable to finish him off.

Fury extended his record to 30-0-1 with the win and his legacy continues.

2. Stephen Fulton vs Angelo Leo

We love seeing a fight where both boxers throw everything but the kitchen sink. That’s what happened when Stephen Fulton won the WBO bantamweight title against Angelo Leo.

Fulton came into the fight at 18-0, but there was plenty of betting online money for champion Angelo Leo, who was 20-0 and making his first defense of the title.

It was a brutal 12-round fight that had boxing fans smiling. It was a technical masterclass from the fighters, who left everything in the ring.

If you haven’t seen the fight, check it out on YouTube. It’s worth watching in its entirety.

Fulton would subsequently beat Brandon Figueroa for the WBC and WBO titles, so he demands respect.

“I just didn’t want to leave any doubt, and there were some people who had doubt,” Fulton told RingTV. “I know I won. There’s no doubt about that.”

1. Juan Estrada vs Roman Gonzalez

There wasn’t as much hype around this fight as there should have been.

Juan Estrada was looking to get revenge after losing to Gonzalez in 2012, which was a controversial decision. Controversy surrounded them again, but this time it went in favor of Estrada.

The 31-year-old turned back the clock to score a split decision victory over the 50-3 Gonzalez, who is one of the gladiators of the flyweight division.

It was one of the most intense and close fights of the year. One judge scored the fight 117-111, which was an abomination, but it didn’t take away from what was our favorite fight of 2021.