Five British boxers on the world title hunt in 2015
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With Carl Froch and George Groves filling Wembley Stadium in May this year boxing is well and truly back in favour with the British public.
With the Cobra retaining his world title to end 2014 alongside other world champions in Kell Brook, Carl Frampton, Scott Quigg and Jamie McDonnell British boxing is in rude health.
However, 2015 could mean yet more silverware and here James Curtis rates the chances of five Brits destined for glory.
James DeGale – Evens (to win a world title in 2015)
Chunky had a great 2014, stopping Gevorg Khatchikian, Brandon Gonzales and Marco Antonio Periban all inside the distance to become the mandatory challenger for Froch’s IBF strap.
The Cobra has until December 31st to either vacate his title or arrange a DeGale bout but with DeGale fancying his chances against the Nottingham man and likely to be the heavy favourite against Gilberto Ramirez (ranked No3 by the IBF) the belt beckons.
Billy Joe Saunders @ 11/10
Superb BJS may have been lucky to scrape a decision against Chris Eubank Jr this year but 2014 has also seen him become a mandatory challenger.
Emanuele Blandamura was also a Saunders victim in 2014 and the European titleholder is now poised to fight Ireland’s Andy Lee for the WBO strap in 2015. Watch this space!
Amir Khan @ 2/1
Khan has rebuilt his reputation since moving up to welterweight with convincing wins over Luis Collazo and Devon Alexander this year.
The Brit has three potential routes – Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao or Kell Brook. The Bolton man wants the Money fight but with PBF and Manny set to get it on it looks like a domestic dust up is on the cards.
With the inner of that bout likely to be Mayweather final fight everything is at stake.
Anthony Joshua @ 5/1
Michael Sprott, Denis Bakhtov, Konstantin Airich, Matt Skelton, Matt Legg, Hector Avila and Dorian Darch were all sparked out by AJ in 2014 to take his record to 10-0-0 and 10Kos.
The Olympic gold medal winner is destined for greatness but 2015 may not be his year with too many obstacles in his way in the shape of Deontay Wilder, Bermane Stiverne, one Wladimir Klitschko and …
Tyson Fury @ 5/1
If you must back a British heavyweight to win a strap next year then IBF mandatory challenger Tyson Fury is your man.
A win over Wladimir Klitschko might seem unlikely but Fury is confident he can do the business and like him or loathe him has earned his shot.
You may not rate him but he’ll certainly be given a chance in 2015, while AJ may be forced to wait.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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