Who will win a World Title in 2022?

This year we have already seen fight of the year contenders, performances of a lifetime, upsets that have shaken up nations, and matchmaking that has the boxing world saying, ‘now THAT is a 50/50 fight!’

With boxing’s landscape at world level everchanging, here are our 5 fighters that we think will win a world title in 2022!

1. ‘The Welsh Wizard’ Joe Cordina

Since his debut, Joe Cordina’s Team GB pedigree has meant he has been destined for world honours. On June the 4th, Cordina will finally get his opportunity fighting Kenichi Ogawa for the IBF Super-Featherweight title. This is a difficult fight for Cordina; Ogawa is a bigger puncher with an engine that led him to stop Azinga Fuzile to win the belt back in November. Cordina’s last performance was a comfortable win against Miko Khatchatryan. He might have tried to force his work, but Khatchatryan knew he was out of his depth and only wanted to survive till the final bell. Cordina is a fighter that appears to step up his level with the level of opponent he faces. This is why Cordina will have his hand raised as champion on June 4th.

2. Ellie Scotney

Whilst the young Catford star doesn’t have a world title opportunity locked in, a win in her next fight could catapult her to world level. Scotney fights Maria Cecilia Roman on the Joshua Buatsi/Craig Richards undercard. Roman is a former world champion who, until her loss to Ebanie Bridges in March, held the IBF Bantamweight crown since 2017, making her the longest reigning world champion in the division. Continuing her progression under the guidance of Shane McGuigan, Scotney’s close decision win against Jorgelina Guanini has aged very well after Guanini comfortably beat Stevi Levy in Spain. Depending on how she wins on May 21st, Scotney could fight for a world title at Super-Bantamweight or go down to Bantamweight and fight Bridges or Jamie Mitchell, the champions in the Matchroom stable.

3. Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez

Picking ‘Chocolatito’ to win another world title in 2022 may not be a surprise to most. He truly is a legend of the sport; the high intensity and punch output is an incredible watch. One of the most exciting boxers in the sport, one that I will set my 4:00 alarm for every time he fights. His last performance against Julio Cesar Martinez was punch perfect, dealing with the young champion with ease. The win lines up the Juan Francisco Estrada trilogy that was originally scheduled for the same night. I thought 'Chocolatito' won the second fight, and with Estrada’s inactivity, I think 'Chocolatito' will reclaim his WBA super-flyweight title.

4. Liam ‘Beefy’ Smith

Like with ‘Chocolatito’, Liam Smith has already cemented himself as a world class operator. Going into the Jessie Vargas fight, the boxing world was wondering ‘how much does ‘Beefy’ have left?’. He proved all the doubters wrong dismantling Vargas with a 10th round stoppage. Wins against Vargas and Anthony Fowler have given ‘Beefy’ a top 5 ranking in 3 of the governing bodies (WBA/WBC/WBO). He has earnt another world title opportunity and, with the Undisputed Super-Welterweight clash between Jermell Charlo and Brian Castano taking place on Saturday, the belts may free up very quickly. If the opportunity comes to fight for a vacant title, Liam Smith will be a problem for ANY Super-Welterweight.

5. Michael Conlan

Now, picking a fighter who is coming off their first loss to also win a world title in the same year may sound a little confusing. However, his fight of the year contender with Leigh Wood proved why Michael Conlan is destined for world honours. He was winning the fight comfortably until a combination of fatigue and excellent tactics by Team Wood lead to Conlan being stopped in the 12th. The belts in the Featherweight division have been won and lost so frequently in recent times with there being 8 champions (Josh Warrington, Kid Galahad, Kiko Martinez, Wood, Xu Can, Mark Magasyo, Gary Russel, and Emmanuel Navarrette) in the last year (365 days) alone, 9 if you include Leo Santa Cruz! In boxing, we know a huge profile can secure you a big fight and, with talks of Josh Warrington wanting a fight in the United States, Warrington Vs Michael Conlan at Madison Square Garden would be HUGE!