December Boxing Schedule: How To Watch
A turbulent and unprecedented year for boxing is coming to an end but many of the sport’s most prominent names will first return to the ring.
Before the New Year arrives, there are several more high-profile fights set to take place across December to finish 2020 strongly.
Here are the top upcoming fights involving the biggest stars throughout the rest of the month.
Friday, December 4th
Billy Joe Saunders vs. Martin Murray
Wembley Arena, London
Live on Sky Sports
From 7pm GMT/2pm ET
WBO super-middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders will aim to retain his title when he makes a second defence against the experienced Martin Murray in London.
Saunders can potentially set up a showdown with the winner of Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith at some stage in 2021. For Murray, it’s a fifth and likely final shot at world honours in his long-standing career, having previously fallen short to the likes of Sergio Martinez and Gennadiy Golovkin.
Saturday, December 5th
Lyndon Arthur vs. Anthony Yarde
Church House, London
Live on BT Sport
From 7pm GMT/2pm ET
A battle between long-standing domestic rivals, as Lyndon Arthur defends his Commonwealth light-heavyweight strap against former world title challenger Anthony Yarde in London.
The pair have long been tipped to collide in the ring and will soon finally face-off behind closed doors in a decisive match-up for both men in their careers.
Having come up short in his first world title shot against Sergey Kovalev, Yarde wants to set up another crack next year. Arthur has the same desire and a triumph here will be key towards that goal.
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia
AT&T Stadium, Texas
Live on FOX Sports PPV
From 2am GMT/9pm ET
Following a year out of the ring since his near-fatal car crash, Errol Spence Jr. makes a remarkable return to defend his WBC and IBF welterweight titles against Danny Garcia.
'The Truth' jumps straight back in a tough match-up, in a bid to prove he's still the best 147lbs fighter on the planet. Garcia will be seeking to derail his comeback and set himself up for further prosperous match-ups in 2021.
Saturday, December 12th
Anthony Joshua vs. Kubrat Pulev
O2 Arena, London
Live on Sky Sports Box Office
From 7pm GMT/2pm ET
After bouncing back with rematch success over Andy Ruiz Jr., Anthony Joshua next defends his unified WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight titles against latest challenger Kubrat Pulev in London.
There will be 1000 fans permitted at the venue, as crowds slowly return to fight cards. One of the biggest heavyweight fights ever against Tyson Fury could lie on the horizon for ‘AJ’, if he can get past Pulev as expected.
Shakur Stevenson vs. Toka Kahn Clary
The Bubble, Las Vegas
ESPN & FITE TV
From 1am GMT/8pm ET
Former WBO featherweight champion Shakur Stevenson continues his run up a division in a super-featherweight clash with Toka Kahn Clary in Las Vegas.
Rising star Stevenson headlined the first American card after the first lockdown earlier this year and he will help close out 2020 with what he’s hoping to be another successful ring outing in The Bubble.
Friday, December 18th
Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Kamil Szeremeta
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Florida
Live on DAZN
From 1am GMT/8pm ET
Over a year since capturing the IBF middleweight crown with a hard-fought decision triumph over Sergey Derevyanchenko, Gennadiy Golovkin now prepares to defend his belt against Polish contender Kamil Szeremeta.
A trilogy clash with Canelo Alvarez could be in the works for 2021, if ‘GGG’ can overcome Szeremeta here, as he attempts to make a historic 21st middleweight career title defence.
Saturday, December 19th
Canelo Alvarez vs. Callum Smith
Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas
Live on DAZN
From 2am GMT/9pm ET
Boxing’s biggest star Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez has quickly put recent promotional legal battles behind him and returns to ring to challenge Callum Smith for his WBA and Ring Magazine super-middleweight titles in Texas.
The Mexican pound-for-pound king was looking likely of sitting out the entire year due to that court battle but soon returns to try and solidify his position as the best fighter in the world.
For Smith, this represents a career-defining opportunity to showcase his credentials on the biggest stage of them all. Overcoming boxing's leading light would take him to the next level and cement his position as a household name.
Nonito Donaire vs. Emmanuel Rodriguez
Mohegan Sun Casino, Connecticut
Live on Showtime and Premier Sports
From 2am GMT/9pm ET
Both Nonito Donaire and Emmanuel Rodriguez are aiming to recover from recent defeats to Naoya Inoue, when they contest for the vacant WBC bantamweight crown in Connecticut.
Future Hall of Famer Donaire was involved in the 2019 Fight of the Year with Inoue and is next aiming to secure a 9th career world title.
Saturday, December 26th
Masayuki Ito vs. Hironori Mishiro
Sumida City Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
From 9am GMT/4am ET
Boxing Day action comes from Tokyo, Japan, where former super-featherweight world champion Masayuki Ito will take on Hironori Mishiro in a rescheduled bout.
Ito is hoping to get back on track after his most-recent loss at the hands of Jamel Herring, while Mishiro looks to maintain his so far unbeaten professional career.
Thursday, December 31st
Kazuto Ioka vs. Kosei Tanaka
Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
From 9am GMT/4am ET
Current WBO super-flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka defends his crown against one of the sport’s most exciting fighters Kosei Tanaka.
Tanaka is aiming to join his opponent and fellow countryman as Japan’s only ever four-weight world title holders with victory in this highly-anticipated New Year’s Eve battle.