2016 was a great year for boxing fans. There were numerous fights that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats. Below are some of the most memorable boxing matches of 2016.
1. Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan
The match between Canelo Alvarez and Amir Khan was one of the most anticipated fights of the year. The fight took place on May 7th, 2016, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Canelo Alvarez won the fight in the sixth round with a devastating knockout punch.
2. Tyson Fury vs. Wladimir Klitschko
Tyson Fury pulled off one of the biggest upsets in boxing history when he defeated Wladimir Klitschko on November 28th, 2016, in Dusseldorf, Germany. Fury won the fight by unanimous decision, ending Klitschko's 11-year reign as the heavyweight champion of the world.
3. Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas
Manny Pacquiao returned to the ring on November 5th, 2016, after a brief retirement. He faced Jessie Vargas for the WBO welterweight title. Pacquiao won the fight by unanimous decision, becoming a world champion once again.
4. Andre Ward vs. Sergey Kovalev
The fight between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev was one of the most controversial fights of 2016. The match took place on November 19th, 2016, in Las Vegas. Ward won the fight by unanimous decision, but many fans and analysts felt that Kovalev was the rightful winner.
5. Anthony Joshua vs. Eric Molina
Anthony Joshua fought Eric Molina on December 10th, 2016, at the Manchester Arena. Joshua won the fight by knockout in the third round, retaining his IBF heavyweight title.
6. Gennady Golovkin vs. Kell Brook
Gennady Golovkin faced Kell Brook on September 10th, 2016, at the O2 Arena in London. Golovkin won the fight by TKO in the fifth round, retaining his WBC, IBF, and IBO middleweight titles.
7. Terence Crawford vs. Viktor Postol
Terence Crawford faced Viktor Postol on July 23rd, 2016, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Crawford won the fight by unanimous decision, unifying the WBC and WBO light welterweight titles.
8. Saul Alvarez vs. Liam Smith
Saul Alvarez defeated Liam Smith on September 17th, 2016, at the AT&T Stadium in Texas. Alvarez won the fight by knockout in the ninth round, capturing the WBO light middleweight title.
9. Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton
Leo Santa Cruz faced Carl Frampton on July 30th, 2016, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Frampton won the fight by majority decision, capturing the WBA featherweight title.
10. Roman Gonzalez vs. Carlos Cuadras
Roman Gonzalez faced Carlos Cuadras on September 10th, 2016, at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Gonzalez won the fight by unanimous decision, capturing the WBC super flyweight title.
These were some of the most exciting boxing matches of 2016. Fans are eagerly waiting for the upcoming fights in 2021.