Manny Pacquiao vs Adrien Broner, Keith Thurman’s comeback and the biggest boxing matches to look out for in January

After a thrilling 2018 for boxing, the upcoming year has high standards to live up to.

January is often a quiet month for the sport and that remains the case in the UK with no major shows taking place in the opening month of 2019.

However, thanks to America’s ever-broadening broadcast landscape, there will still be plenty of fights to watch in the first few weeks of the year.

January 13: Jose Uzcategui vs Caleb Plant (IBF Super-Middleweight Title) – Microsoft Theater, LA, USA

The year begins with a Sunday night show in which IBF super-middleweight champion Jose Uzcategui defends his title against mandatory challenger Caleb Plant. The Venezuelan picked up the belt in far from ideal fashion after James DeGale vacated it and so will be looking to prove his world level legitimacy in his next few fights.

January 18: Bryant Jennings vs Oscar Rivas (Heavyweight) – Turning Stone, New York, USA

American heavyweight Bryant Jennings will face an intriguing test in the form of unbeaten Oscar Rivas to kick of his 2019. The heavyweight division is thrilling at present, though Jennings has become a forgotten man in this mix – something he will need to change in order to secure a second title shot.



January 26: Jamie Munguia vs Takeshi Inoue (WBO Super-Welterweight Title) – Toyota Center, Houston, USA

Having only recently turned 22, Mexico’s Jaime Munguia is one of the youngest world champions in boxing. As such, he is still learning his trade and will take on Japanese challenger Takeshi Inoue in his next bout. On the undercard, Jesus Rojas defends his WBA ‘Regular’ Featherweight Title against Can Xu.

January 26: Keith Thurman vs Josesito Lopez (WBA Welterweight Title) – Barclays Center, New York, USA

After almost two years out of the ring, former unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman will return to defend the one belt he has left against the overmatched Josesito Lopez. Thurman is one of the world’s best at his weight and was missed while absent, but now must work to prove again that he’s a welterweight king. Earlier in the night, we’ll see a heavyweight clash between Adam Kownacki and Gerald Washington.



https://talksport.com/sport/boxing/4...tches-january/