September is set to be one of boxing’s strongest months for 2018.
Both of the sport’s biggest names – Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua – are in action over the next few weeks, alongside a host of other world class talent.
You can read a full rundown of the upcoming boxing schedule below.
September 1: Ryan Garcia v Carlos Morales (Super-Featherweight) – California, USA
20-year-old super-featherweight prospect Ryan Garcia has already garnered a huge following. The 15-0 American is a big hit with his young female fan base due to his ‘pretty boy’ appearance. He should also not be underestimated in the ring and will be looking to take the next step towards an inevitable world title shot.
September 7: Denis Lebedev v Hizni Altunkaya (Cruiserweight) – Traktor Sport Palace, Chelyabinsk, Russia
WBA ‘champion in recess’ Denis Lebedev is set to return to the ring in a fairly straightforward bout this month. Altunkaya was recently also used as a tune-up opponent for WBA ‘regular’ champion Beibut Shumenov, who stopped him in nine rounds.
September 8: Amir Khan v Samuel Vargas (Welterweight) – Arena Birmingham, UK
Amir Khan’s second fight on the comeback trail sees him take on Samuel Vargas, live on talkSPORT. After his 39-second blowout of Phil Lo Greco in April, Khan is looking for a tougher test to set him up for a big fight before the end of the year.
September 8: Danny Garcia v Shawn Porter (WBC Welterweight Title) – Barclays Center, New York, USA
On the same night as Amir Khan’s next bout, his old foe Danny Garcia will take on Shawn Porter in America, with the vacant WBC belt at stake. The bout is expected to be an exciting clash as two of the world’s top welterweights come together. There is also an intriguing heavyweight showdown on the undercard as rising Pole Adam Kownacki meets former champion Charles Martin, who was dethroned by Anthony Joshua in 2016.
September 8: ‘Superfly III’ – The Forum, California, USA
Last September, a super-flyweight card ‘Superfly’ was put together which proved a huge success. In February we saw its sequel ‘Superfly II’ and now we have ‘Superfly III’. This version is undoubtedly a weaker line-up than its predecessors, but still features Juan Francisco Estrada v Felipe Orucuta, Kazuto Ioka v McWilliams Arroyo and a vacant WBO super-flyweight title fight between Donnie Nietes and Aston Palicte.
September 8: Filip Hrgovic v Amir Mansour (Heavyweight) – Arena Zagreb, Croatia
2016 Olympic Bronze medallist Filip Hrgovic is a rising heavyweight to watch out for. The 26-year-old is now stepping up in the pro game as he looks to go 6-0 against Amir Mansour in his hometown.
September 14: Jose Ramirez v Antonio Orozco (WBC Super-Lightweight Title) – Save Mart Arena, California, USA
Newly crowned world champion Jose Ramirez was initially scheduled to defend his title against Danny O’Connor in July, however O’Connor had a medical issue and couldn’t make the weight. As a result, Ramirez will now make his debut against a new foe in Antonio Orozco, who himself has had issues making weight in the past.
September 15: Canelo Alvarez v Gennady Golovkin II (WBA, WBC Middleweight Titles) – T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, USA
Last September, Canelo and Golovkin met in a highly anticipated fight which ended in a highly controversial draw. Most felt GGG had won the fight and since then the controversy between the pair has only deepened as Canelo failed a drugs test causing their May 5 rematch date to be scrapped. They have now rescheduled for September 15 and are sure to produce fireworks once again, with an added bitter edge now also playing a part in the bout.
September 22: Anthony Joshua v Alexander Povetkin (WBA, IBF, WBO Heavyweight Titles) – Wembley Stadium, London
Anthony Joshua will defend his unified heavyweight world titles against his Russian mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin on September 22, live on talkSPORT. Negotiations for a potential bout with Deontay Wilder collapsed and the WBA insisted AJ take on Povetkin next, so he returns to the country’s national stadium to top a card which will also feature a WBC final eliminator between Luke Campbell and Yvan Mendy.
September 28: George Groves v Callum Smith (WBA Super-Middleweight Title) – KASC Sports Hall, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
The World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight tournament is set for an all-British conclusion when George Groves meets Callum Smith in the final, live on talkSPORT. This tournament has been a revelation for boxing and will see the king of the division crowned with Groves’ WBA world title and the Ring Magazine belt also on the line.
September 28: Jerwin Ancajas v Alejandro Santiago Barrios (IBF Super-Flyweight Title) – Oracle Arena, California, USA
Filipino super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas is one of the most exciting champions around in boxing’s lighter weight divisions today. However he is yet to step up for a big fight and his next defence against Alejandro Santiago Barrios isn’t exactly one to get pulses racing. IBF super-middleweight champion Jose Uzcategui returns on the undercard in a non-title bout.
September 28: Devin Haney v Juan Carlos Burgos (Lightweight) – Pechanga Casino, California, USA
19-year-old prospect Devin Haney is another youngster worth watching this month. He will look to go 20-0 against three-time world title challenger Juan Carlos Burgos.
September 29: Manuel Charr v Fres Oquendo (WBA ‘Regular’ Heavyweight Title) – Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany
The month will be rounded off by a lesser heavyweight bout as the WBA’s ‘regular’ belt holder Manuel Charr defends against his mandatory Fres Oquendo.
