Boxing New Year Specials: Anthony Joshua can shine in 2024

2023 was a year full of action in boxing, with some big stars, big surprises and big knockouts.

With a huge fight between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk on the horizon in 2024, we pick out some of the best specials in the world of boxing for the New Year.

Anthony Joshua to win any WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF Heavyweight belt in 2024 - 8/11

Anthony Joshua bounced back to form in fine fashion in December as he barely put a foot wrong in a fifth-round knockout victory of Otto Wallin.

Joshua had suffered back-to-back defeats against Oleksandr Usyk which saw him miss out on the WBA, IBF, WBO, IBO, and The Ring heavyweight titles.

The 34-year-old returned from those losses with wins over Jermaine Franklin and Robert Helenius but his victory over Wallin announced his return to the top table of heavyweight boxing.

A defeat for Deontay Wilder at the hands of Joseph Parker on the same night has dashed plans of a fight with Joshua for the Bronze Bomber, leaving AJ with a number of options in 2024.

Although Tyson Fury is scheduled to fight Oleksandr Usyk, an all-British showdown with Joshua looks a tempting proposition and could await in 2024, most likely later in the year.

AJ could also look to secure another belt by fighting Zhilei Zhang, who is recently coming off back-to-back impressive wins over Joe Joyce in which he won and then defended the WBO interim heavyweight title.

The pair met in the Olympics way back in 2012 with Joshua coming out on top but a potential blockbuster rematch could be on the cards next year and would see AJ lift a belt for the first time since his 2020 win over Kubrat Pulev.

Whatever route Joshua chooses to go down, there are plenty of options for the British heavyweight to try and win back some of the belts he once held.

For a man now likely in the twilight of his career, he needs to make a move sooner rather than later to return to his former glory.

Keyshawn Davis to win any WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF belt in 2024 - 9/4

The United States has a good track record of producing exciting young boxers and Keyshawn Davis could be the next big star.

The 23-year-old had a prestigious amateur career, winning silver at the 2019 Pan American Games, 2019 World Championships, and 2020 Summer Olympics.

On all three occasions he was beaten by Cuban Andy Cruz but he has had no such problems in the professional ranks, winning his first nine bouts.

He was also victorious in his 10th in October before a positive drugs test saw it ruled a no contest and Davis banned for 90 days.

Nevertheless, the new year has plenty of opportunities on the horizon for Davis with three lightweight world title belts currently vacant and with a wide open and ultra-competitive division, Davis could move through the ranks quickly.

The sky may be the limit for the 23-year-old and a world title might be on his agenda sooner rather than later.

Adam Azim to win any WBA/WBC/WBO/IBF belt in 2024 - 7/2

Another fast-rising young prospect is British boxer Adam Azim, who is now EBU European light-welterweight champion after beating Franck Petitjean with a 10th-round knockout in Wolverhampton in November.

The 21-year-old, who became the quickest Englishman to win the European title in the process, is set to defend his title against undefeated former champion Enock Poulsen in early February, showing how fast he is progressing through the ranks.

In just 10 fights, Azim has confirmed himself as one of the most highly rated young boxers in the world and could continue his progress on the international stage.

His division may be stacked full of talent such as Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney and Subriel Matias, all of whom hold world titles in the division, but if Azim’s progression continues, he should be fighting at the top table soon.

Poulsen will provide a stiff challenge to the youngster as he has never been beaten and was merely stripped of his European belt, but if Azim can come through that then the world may be the oyster of the 21-year-old from Slough.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.