Run it back: The boxing rematches we must see in 2025

It was a major shock when Ryan Garcia defeated Devin Haney this past April. Garcia appeared unfocused and peculiar throughout the build-up, convincing most of the boxing world that the more disciplined Haney would dominate. But when the two rivals fought in the amateurs, they split three wins apiece, and Garcia showed exactly why in the first round of their 2024 grudge match, catching and rocking Haney with his trademark left hook.

Garcia dropped Haney on three occasions that night to win a majority decision, but just 10 days later news broke that Garcia tested positive for the banned substance ostarine. Even still, it’s impossible to forget what happened in the ring that night. Now, the pair are set to settle the score in October as part of Riyadh Season. It’s not only the biggest rematch in boxing, it’s also one of the biggest fights of 2025, period.

What are the other rematches we need to see in 2025? Here are the best of the bunch.

Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois

Low blow or legitimate body shot?

That was the question that divided the sport in the aftermath of 2023’s Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois heavyweight title bout. Dubois landed a right hand in the fifth round that was controversially ruled as a low blow. Depending on the angle you watch, the punch can be viewed as being fully on the beltline, which would be a legitimate shot, or partially straying below, which would make it an illegal punch.

Usyk was given several minutes to recover and eventually knocked Dubois out in the ninth to retain his unified titles. In the days and weeks afterward, the controversy dominated the boxing conversation, with Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, filing an official appeal with the WBA contesting the referee’s decision. Nothing came of it, though, and Dubois was forced to rebuild elsewhere.

Since then, Dubois has been a revelation. He’s won three fights in a row, all by knockout. He stopped Jarrell Miller in the final round in his December 2023 comeback bout. Six months later, the Brit upset Filip Hrgović to capture the IBF interim world title. After being upgraded to full champion, he successfully defended the title at Wembley Stadium this past September, producing a major shock with a fifth-round knockout of Anthony Joshua.

Dubois’ recent run of form is nothing short of tremendous. Even discounting the controversy in the first fight, he has a strong case for a rematch. And when you take into consideration the fact that a significant portion of boxing fans will still die on the hill that Dubois knocked Usyk out that summer night in Poland, a second meeting is a no-brainer.

But Joseph Parker, who’s on a five-fight win streak, will be looking to steal both Dubois’ crown and place in an undisputed title fight against Usyk when he faces Dubois on Feb. 22 in Riyadh on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol 2 undercard.

Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano

Two Fight of the Year contenders and two decisions that could’ve gone either way — why wouldn’t you want to do it for a third time? No, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano could share the ring on 10 occasions and produce 10 thrillers.

The Irishwoman and the Puerto Rican first met in April 2022 when they sold out Madison Square Garden for the undisputed lightweight title. It was one of the best fights of the year and brought the women’s side of the sport to the forefront of the boxing conversation on a night when they were competing with a male unification fight on ESPN, Shakur Stevenson vs. Oscar Valdez.

Taylor and Serrano were given an even bigger stage for their rematch, a co-main event spot to Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, which was the most-watched boxing event in the world in 2024. And the women once again proved they belonged on such a platform, trading leather for 20 minutes to produce a spectacular slugfest, with Taylor once again being declared the winner by a single point on all three scorecards.

Taylor is now targeting a dream fight at Ireland’s 80,000-capacity Croke Park stadium. It has been her career goal to box at Ireland’s historic stadium, and it looks like it may actually happen in 2025. This year could be Taylor’s last in the ring, and she has two goals left: A fight at Croke Park and a fight in Las Vegas. Serrano is surely the most fitting dance partner for Taylor’s biggest night.

Ben Whittaker vs. Liam Cameron

Ben Whittaker went viral in early 2024 for his showboating antics. Clips of his fights regularly generated millions of views on social media platforms, and Whittaker gained tons of new fans as a result. He was an overnight sensation in the boxing world, despite having only competed at a low level as a professional after capturing silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

So it came as little surprise when Turki Alalshikh wanted Whittaker on the Oct. 12 Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol undercard. Whittaker’s promoter, Ben Shalom’s BOXXER, had big plans for the emerging superstar, with a U.S. debut in an NBC Sports main event slot already booked for December well ahead of his fight in October.

But few expected that Liam Cameron, who’d only recently come back to boxing after a five-year hiatus from the sport, would kill that hype in just five rounds.

Whittaker and Cameron battled to a controversial technical split draw after Whittaker suffered a freak injury and the fight had to be called off, but many fans were left bemused as to why Cameron’s hand wasn’t raised at the end of 15 telling minutes in the ring. The phrases “Quittaker” and “Hypejob” were plastered over social media. Although Whittaker didn’t officially lose in the ring, the loudest voices of the boxing world made their minds up about what they saw that night.

A rematch should be the only option for Whittaker’s next fight to gain back some credibility, though it looks unlikely to happen next due to the politics of boxing. Shalom claims he offered Cameron the money they asked for to take the rematch. Cameron’s promoters, Queensberry, insists they were willing to offer more money for the fight, however Shalom wouldn’t let it take place away from a BOXXER show.

It’s all a big mess, but hopefully we find our way to the proper destination in 2025.

Johnny Fisher vs. Dave Allen

Johnny Fisher is one of the biggest ticket-sellers in British boxing. Early in his career, “The Romford Bull” regularly sold 1,000 tickets by himself for six-round undercard fights. He burst onto the professional scene in 2021 with little amateur pedigree and as a very raw novice, but quick knockouts against overmatched opposition and a keen fan base led him to be one of Britain’s leading attractions.

When he headlined for the first time in July 2024, almost 7,000 people rammed into the Copper Box to watch Fisher take out Alen Babic in the opening round. The fight was a low-level mismatch, but no one left that arena disappointed. It was a spectacle in its own right, and “The Romford Bull army,” as Fisher’s fans are known, watched their man elevate his career to the next level.

Fisher’s journey and improvements caught the eye of Alalshikh, who decided that he wanted Fisher on one of his shows: The seismic Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury 2 undercard. Fisher was matched with Dave Allen in a fight subjected to heavy scrutiny — Allen’s previous performance on a major show was an unimpressive showing against Frazer Clarke one year prior.

Fisher started the fight well, controlling the early rounds, but Allen managed to turn the tide in the fifth round, putting Fisher on the canvas and in major trouble. Allen dominated the second half of the bout, leaving many without a single doubt in their minds that Allen was a deserved winner after 10 rounds.

But boxing being boxing, Fisher — somehow — walked away with a split decision win and his undefeated record intact. It was a grossly unfair verdict, and we need to see a rematch in 2025.