Ranking the best remaining fights in 2021 including Canelo-Plant, Teofimo-Kambosos and more
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Mike CoppingerESPN
When COVID took hold of the world in March 2020, it also greatly hampered sports, but perhaps none more so than boxing. After all, the fight game hinges on major live gates to deliver its truly marquee events. While the other major sports leagues experienced plenty of pauses and cancellations, the pandemic never stopped the best teams from facing one another. But in boxing, with no fans initially allowed followed by limited audiences, the big fights had to wait.
Look no further than the saga to find a date for the trilogy meeting between Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder. With COVID restrictions a major issue last year — and even in the early part of this year — promoters found it difficult to find the funds necessary to stage many of the biggest matchups in boxing.
But now, with the return of full audiences, boxing is officially back. The best proof of that: The loaded final two months of the year, full of high-stakes showdowns featuring some of the biggest stars in the sport.
Starting next week, there’s a notable bout every week until the week leading into Christmas Day, and also one final fight of note just before New Year’s Eve. Which matchups stand out above the rest? We rank the top 10 in order of intrigue:
No. 1: Canelo Alvarez vs. Caleb Plant – Nov. 6, 9 p.m. ET, Showtime PPV
0:27
Canelo Alvarez and Caleb Plant punch each other at their news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Storylines: At a heated press conference last month in Los Angeles, it became apparent just how much Alvarez and Plant dislike each other. Alvarez threw a punch at Plant, and the American emerged with a cut under his right eye.
The insults flowed freely from there. Plant hurled remarks at Alvarez’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, and continued to call Canelo a cheater. The Mexican star said during a recent open workout at his gym in San Diego’, that he’s never had this much bad blood for an opponent before. The feeling seems to be mutual rather than simply prefight histrionics meant to promote the event.
What’s at stake: Not just the undisputed super middleweight championship, but Alvarez’s status as the unquestioned pound-for-pound king. At this juncture, it’s not enough for Canelo to win: He must do so in convincing fashion.
Plant is a sizable underdog, but there’s no doubt that Plant is a talented boxer with quick hands, a strong jab and impressive defensive ability. Combining those qualities to pull off the upset is another matter. Plant enters the fight with one of the major titles, while Alvarez will wear three to the ring; the winner will become the first four-belt champion at 168 pounds in boxing history.
No. 2: Terence Crawford vs. Shawn Porter – Nov. 20, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN+ PPV
1:22
Terence Crawford explains what took so long to get his upcoming fight with PBC’s Shawn Porter done.
Storylines: Finally Crawford will face a fellow top-notch welterweight after years of searching for a fight with one of PBC’s 147-pounders. With Porter’s relentless pressure style, strength on the inside and experience in big fights, he figures to present Crawford’s toughest challenge to date.
What’s at stake: Crawford’s welterweight title and his standing as ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer. That spot on the mythical rankings is due to the vaunted eye test rather than whom Crawford has defeated. If Bud struggles at all, there are those who will claim he was always overrated.
But if Crawford can dispense of Porter emphatically or even make it a wide-points victory, his stock will soar. Porter’s three defeats all were tightly contested on the scorecards, setbacks against Kell Brook, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr., and he has never been knocked out as in his pro career. Crawford has a chance to make a statement with a win.
No. 3: Devin Haney vs. Joseph “JoJo” Diaz Jr. – Dec. 3/Dec. 4, DAZN
Storylines: Haney believes he’s the most-avoided boxer in the world, and for a time, he had a case. He had no luck luring any of the top 135-pounders into the ring despite holding a title (whether you think he’s a legitimate champ or not is another matter). But when Ryan Garcia, who was scheduled to fight Haney on Nov. 27, injured his hand, this matchup suddenly made too much sense to be ignored.
Haney and Diaz have exchanged fighting words for months on social media, and finally, it will come to a head: two men out to make the leap to the next level.
What’s at stake: Haney is ESPN’s No. 3 lightweight and also No. 3 on the list of top 25 boxers under 25. He proved in his May victory over Jorge Linares that he’s an exceptional boxer with a terrific jab and defensive skills; he also showed vulnerability.
Just how good is Haney? We’ll find out against Diaz, a pressure fighter with high-level fundamentals who is battle-tested on the top level. His lone pro defeat came at 126 pounds against the ultra-talented Gary Russell Jr. Now Diaz has the chance to show he’s better than ever in his third weight class.
No. 4: Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos Jr. – Nov. 27, DAZN
Storylines: This is the 9th different date for this lightweight championship fight after a lengthy battle between Triller and the camps for both boxers. After Lopez tested positive for COVID, scrapping the June 19 date, numerous shifts led to the IBF finding Triller in default. Now Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom will promote the bout, Lopez’s first in over a year.
What’s at stake: Supremacy at 135 pounds. Lopez dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko last October and collected three of the major titles and the WBC “franchise” belt in the process. The victory also vaulted him into ESPN’s pound-for-pound list. All that momentum came to a crashing halt with the various postponements to his first defense.
No. 5: Gervonta Davis vs. Rolando Romero – Dec. 5, Showtime PPV
Storylines: “Tank” Davis finally has a proper foil, at least in terms of event promotion. Romero has taunted Davis at every turn, promising to knock him out and taking aim at his diminutive stature. It’s certainly not the kind of high-profile opponent fans want to see Davis fight, but the bout figures to deliver fireworks with two devastating punchers.
What’s at stake: Davis returns to his more natural 135-pound division after a TKO of Mario Barrios in a 140-pound bout. For Davis, it’s another chance to score an explosive knockout. Romero is unproven, but his free-swinging, awkward style combined with explosive power gives him a puncher’s chance. It’s also another opportunity for Davis to show off his considerable drawing power as one of boxing’s best attractions.
No. 6: Stephen Fulton vs. Brandon Figueroa – Nov. 27, Showtime
Storylines: This bout has a chance to be the best action-fight of the bunch. Fulton threw over 1,000 punches in his win over Angelo Leo in January, and Figueroa routinely does the same. When it comes to fights below featherweight, this one is most certainly the top level.
What’s at stake: The winner will have a claim as the best 122-pounder in the world. Murodjon Akhmadaliev is currently ESPN’s No. 1 junior featherweight, and he defends his unified championship vs. Ronny Rios one week earlier. Whomever emerges from Fulton-Figueroa with his hand raised, could then unify with the other champion in an undisputed title fight at 122 pounds.
No. 7: Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Richard Commey – Dec. 11, ESPN
Storylines: For the second consecutive outing, Lomachenko will face a former Lopez opponent as he seeks to bait Teofimo into a rematch. Lomachenko fared far better vs. Masayoshi Nakatani than Lopez did — scoring a stoppage in dominant fashion while Teofimo struggled in a decision win.
It will be hard to replicate that success against Commey, a man Lopez knocked out in just two rounds. Commey isn’t a spectacular opponent, but he’s a strong, hard-nosed fighter who sits comfortably inside ESPN’s lightweight rankings.
What’s at stake: For Lomachenko, it’s an opportunity to prove he’s still one of the best pound-for-pound boxers in the world — that means taking care of Commey in explosive fashion. Commey, with an upset victory, can thrust himself immediately into the title picture.
No. 8: Gennadiy Golovkin vs. Ryota Murata – Dec. 29, DAZN
Storylines: GGG fights sparingly these days as he approaches his 40th birthday. He fought just once in 2020, and that was against a middling opponent in Kamil Szeremeta.
Murata is far from an elite opponent, but he carries name recognition, a middleweight title, and most importantly, is a major star in Japan where the fight will take place. More than anything, that will give Golovkin the big-fight feel he’s looking for.
What’s at stake: GGG needs an emphatic performance to prove he’s still a formidable fighter and a devastating puncher. Fans have short memories and it’s been a while since Golovkin has been in a fight that matters. A title unification is exactly that, and the atmosphere in Japan will add to the event.
If GGG can resemble the fighter we’re used to seeing (and not the version who struggled with Sergiy Derevyancenko in October 2019), the public will no doubt clamor for a third meeting with archrival Canelo Alvarez.
No. 9: Artur Beterbiev vs. Marcus Browne – Dec. 17, ESPN+
Storylines: Like Golovkin, Beterbiev is fairly inactive these days, so this is a rare glimpse at one of boxing’s most fearsome punchers. Time is running out for Beterbiev to secure a legacy-defining fight, and against Browne, he could have a tougher time than expected.
Despite Browne’s surprising loss to Jean Pascal, he remains a polished boxer-puncher with good movement and a fine jab.
What’s at stake: The Russian is ESPN’s No. 1 light heavyweight, but the unified champ still needs to fight Dmitry Bivol to cement that claim. Against the unheralded Adam Deines in march, Beterbiev was mostly lackluster, before scoring a late stoppage win. Browne has the toolset to trouble Beterbiev.
A convincing victory could put Beterbiev in the driver’s seat for a fight with Alvarez at 175 pounds, or at the very least, a bout with Sergey Kovalev, Bivol or Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez.
No. 10: Jaime Munguia vs. Gabriel Rosado – Nov. 13, 9 p.m. ET, DAZN
Storylines: Munguia is the latest rising star out of Mexico, and he appears to improve with each subsequent outing. Munguia is far from a finished product, a big middleweight who relies on size, strength and power.
Against an established veteran like Rosado, he figures to be tested more than ever. It helps that Rosado is coming off the best performance of his career, a blistering knockout of Bektemir Melikuziev. Now Rosado will look to knock off another promising young fighter.
What’s at stake: If Munguia can tear through Rosado as he has many others, the public will take notice. Rosado is far from elite, but he’s faced top-level competition and doesn’t waver when faced with adversity.
That last quality, more than anything, should reveal a lot about Munguia’s character as a fighter in his toughest test to date.
The 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs have begun with 16 teams looking to be the last one standing after four grueling rounds of playoff hockey action. The Florida Panthers return to defend their championship, but will have to contend with regular-season powerhouses including the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers first have to contend with their cross-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning, but got off to a strong start in Game 1 with 6-2 road win. The victory saw the Panthers leapfrog several teams to be given the second-shortest odds behind only the Carolina Hurricanes, who have emerged as the Eastern Conference favorites thanks to a 2-0 series lead over the banged-up New Jersey Devils.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, looking to snap the longest championship drought in NHL history, are up 2-0 on their provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators, and are now among the top five favorites. The Capitals took care of business in Game 1 against the Montreal Canadiens with Alex Ovechkin scoring his first career playoff OT winner and followed it up with a Game 2 victory to take a commanding series lead.
In the West, two of the favorites clash in the first round as the Dallas Stars take on the Colorado Avalanche with the teams trading wins in Games 1 and 2, followed by a Game 3 road win by the Stars which saw the teams essentially trade places in the odds race. The Jets have a 2-0 series lead on the St. Louis Blues, while the Vegas Golden Knights and Minnesota Wild traded wins in Games 1 and 2. The Oilers lost both their road games to the Los Angeles Kings, who are considered the favorite in this series, and must now win at home to get back into the race.
Last year’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner, Connor McDavid, won the top award for playoffs MVP despite his team not winning the championship. This year, he hopes to win it again, but on a happier note. Below, you can see all of the top favorites for Conn Smythe, as well as the odds for every team to win their opening-round series, advance to, and to win the Stanley Cup.
All odds accurate as of publish time. For more, go to ESPN BET. 
Odds to win Conn Smythe trophy
The Conn Smythe is awarded to the player deemed to have been the most valuable to his team throughout the playoffs. Players listed with 200-1 odds or better. More odds available at ESPN BET..
Connor Hellebuyck, Jets: 12-1
Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes: 15-1
Jack Eichel, Golden Knights: 16-1
Anthony Stolarz, Maple Leafs: 18-1
Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche: 18-1
Aleksander Barkov, Panthers: 20-1
Alex Ovechkin, Capitals: 20-1
Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs: 20-1
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers: 20-1
Seth Jarvis, Hurricanes: 20-1
Adrian Kempe, Kings: 25-1
Cale Makar, Avalanche: 25-1
Darcy Kuemper, Kings: 25-1
Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes: 25-1
Jake Oettinger, Stars: 25-1
Mitch Marner, Maple Leafs: 25-1
Nikita Kucherov, Lightning: 25-1
Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning: 30-1
Connor McDavid, Oilers: 30-1
Kyle Connor, Jets: 30-1
Logan Thompson, Capitals: 30-1
Mark Scheifele, Jets: 30-1
Sam Reinhart, Panthers: 30-1
Sergei Bobrovsky, Panthers: 30-1
Tomas Hertl, Golden Knights: 30-1
Anze Kopitar, Kings: 40-1
Leon Draisaitl, Oilers: 40-1
Logan Stankoven, Hurricanes: 40-1
Adin Hill, Golden Knights: 50-1
Brayden Point, Lightning: 50-1
Dylan Strome, Capitals: 50-1
Kevin Fiala, Kings: 50-1
Kirill Kaprizov, Wild: 50-1
Mackenzie Blackwood, Avalanche: 50-1
Mark Stone, Golden Knights: 50-1
William Nylander, Maple Leafs: 50-1
John Tavares, Maple Leafs: 60-1
Andrei Svechnikov, Hurricanes: 75-1
Jaccob Slavin, Hurricanes: 75-1
Matt Boldy, Wild: 75-1
Mikko Rantanen, Stars: 75-1
Pavel Dorofeyev, Golden Knights: 75-1
Roope Hintz, Stars: 75-1
Wyatt Johnston, Stars: 75-1
Brady Tkachuk, Senators: 100-1
Connor McMichael, Capitals: 100-1
Filip Gustavsson, Wild: 100-1
Jason Robertson, Stars: 100-1
Linus Ullmark, Senators: 100-1
Miro Heiskanen, Stars: 100-1
Nico Hischier, Devils: 100-1
Pyotr Kochetkov, Hurricanes: 100-1
Quinton Byfield, Kings: 100-1
Sam Bennett, Panthers: 100-1
Tim Stutzle, Senators: 100-1
Brandon Hagel, Lightning: 150-1
Jacob Markstrom, Devils: 150-1
Jake Guentzel, Lightning: 150-1
Jordan Binnington, Blues: 150-1
Joseph Woll, Maple Leafs: 150-1
Martin Necas, Avalanche: 150-1
Matt Duchene, Stars: 150-1
Pierre-Luc Dubois, Capitals: 150-1
Shea Theodore, Golden Knights: 150-1
Thomas Harley, Stars: 150-1
Tom Wilson, Capitals: 150-1
Valeri Nichushkin, Avalanche: 150-1
Victor Hedman, Lightning: 150-1
Aliaksei Protas, Capitals: 200-1
The 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs have already included some twists and turns, including long-injured players returning to the ice and others playing through various ailments.
Two teams carry 2-0 leads into Game 3 on Thursday, and history is on their side: according to ESPN Research, teams with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series have gone on to win 86% of the time.
Will that be the case for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets? Or can the Ottawa Senators and St. Louis Blues notch victories at home?
Plus, will the Florida Panthers win another game in the Tampa Bay Lightning‘s barn? And which team will win a pivotal Game 3 of the Vegas Golden Knights–Minnesota Wild series?
Read on for game previews with statistical insights from ESPN Research, recaps of what went down in Wednesday’s games, and the Three Stars of Wednesday Night from Arda Öcal.
Matchup notes
Florida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning
Game 2 (FLA leads 1-0) | 6:30 p.m. ET | TBS
With the Panthers up 1-0, ESPN BET has adjusted the series line to install Florida as the series favorite at -210, whereas the line was -115 before Game 1.
Matthew Tkachuk made his return after more than two months on the shelf, and scored two goals to help the Panthers take Game 1 in the Battle of Florida. Matthew and brother Brady both scored goals Tuesday, which was the 83rd time in Stanley Cup playoffs history that a pair of brothers scored on the same day, the most recent being Marcus and Nick Foligno on April 21, 2023.
Sergei Bobrovsky has backstopped the Cats to many playoff wins recently, and the Game 1 win was his 45th, putting him fifth all-time in playoff wins for goalies born outside North America. The leader? His opponent Andrei Vasilevskiy, with 66.
Nikita Kucherov won the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s leading point-scorer in the regular season, but was limited to just one assist in Game 1. Will that trend continue?
Toronto Maple Leafs at Ottawa Senators
Game 3 (TOR leads 2-0) | 7 p.m. ET | ESPN2
The Maple Leafs have won just one playoff series in the past 20 years, but they are halfway to doing so here in the Battle of Ontario. Oh, and speaking of decadeslong droughts, this is the first time the Leafs have held a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series since the 2002 series against the New York Islanders (which they won in seven games).
Max Domi was the overtime hero for the Leafs in Game 2, which was his first playoff OT goal. His father Tie played 98 playoff games in his NHL career, and never had one — albeit in a career where he was known more as a pugilist than a scorer.
Toronto’s Core Four continue to drive the train. John Tavares (two goals, two assists), Mitch Marner (one goal, three assists), William Nylander (one goal, two assists) and Auston Matthews (three assists) are in the top four positions on their stats sheet heading into Game 3. They’ve also gotten strong play from goaltender Anthony Stolarz, who became the sixth netminder in Leafs history to win his first two playoff games with the franchise — Ken Wregget, Mike Palmateer, Bernie Parent, Frank McCool and Lorne Chabot are the others.
One pathway to a comeback for Ottawa is for goaltender Linus Ullmark to steal a game or two. The 2023 Vezina Trophy winner has allowed nine goals on 45 shots through two games, a save percentage of .800. Ullmark allowed just two goals on 50 shots in two games against Toronto in the regular season, both of which were wins for Ottawa.
Vegas Golden Knights at Minnesota Wild
Game 3 (series tied 1-1) | 9 p.m. ET | TBS
Why is this game so important? The winner of Game 3 in a series tied 1-1 has gone on to win 66% of the time in Stanley Cup playoff history (240-123).
The Wild didn’t want to take any chances in Game 2, scoring three first-period goals and keeping the Knights at arm’s length for the remainder of the game. Kirill Kaprizov reminded everyone why he was a Hart Trophy favorite before getting injured this season, scoring two goals and adding a ridiculous assist on Matt Boldy‘s goal. Kaprizov’s second goal tied him with Marian Gaborik for the second-most playoff goals in Wild history, with 12, four behind Zach Parise.
On the Vegas side, “Playoff” Tomas Hertl has shown up, scoring a goal in each of the first two games. The longtime San Jose Shark is the fourth different player to score a goal in his first two games with the Golden Knights, a list that includes Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault.
The Knights are also hoping this is just a bump in the road for goaltender Adin Hill. He has an .833 save percentage through two games; that figure was .931 in three games last postseason and .932 in 14 starts during their Stanley Cup run in 2023.
Winnipeg Jets at St. Louis Blues
Game 3 (WPG leads 2-0) | 9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN2
One other bit of history working against the Blues: Presidents’ Trophy winners that have won Games 1 and 2 of a best-of-seven series have gone on to win that series 95% of the time (tracked since 1985-86).
The Blues will want to track Kyle Connor closely if the game hangs in the balance. He has scored the game-winning goal in both games thus far, giving him five in his career, passing Paul Stastny for the most in Jets 2.0/Atlanta Thrashers history.
St. Louis rookie Jimmy Snuggerud — who was playing for the University of Minnesota earlier this spring — became the second rookie to notch a goal this postseason, joining Carolina’s Logan Stankoven.
Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou — who led the Blues in regular-season scoring and both tallied goals in Game 1 — were held pointless in Game 2.
Arda’s three stars from Wednesday night
Sometimes the stat lines don’t matter. The Avs captain returning to the NHL for the first time since lifting the Cup in 2022 is a moment that transcends one team, and is celebrated throughout the hockey world. Welcome back, Gabe!
1:22
Gabriel Landeskog makes triumphant return to Avs after 3-year absence
Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog makes his return for the Avalanche after nearly three years on the sidelines due to a chronic knee injury.
Kempe scored two goals and added two assists as the Kings dismantled the Oilers 6-2 to take both games at home as the series now shifts to Edmonton.
Thompson made 25 saves, including some key stops on dangerous chances in the third period, to help the Caps beat the Habs 3-1 and take a 2-0 series lead.
0:48
Messier: Logan Thompson won the game for the Caps
Mark Messier tells Scott Van Pelt the critical role Logan Thompson played for the Capitials in their 3-1 win over the Canadiens in Game 2.
Wednesday’s scores
Washington Capitals 3, Montreal Canadiens 1
(WSH leads 2-0)
Another game that was perhaps a bit closer than the pundits (and the fans in D.C.) expected. Montreal’s Christian Dvorak opened the scoring in the second period, before the Caps answered with two goals in a one-minute span from Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome. That lead would hold despite the Habs’ best efforts, thanks to some heroic saves from Logan Thompson. McMichael added an empty-netter just before the final buzzer to ensure that the fans went home happy, and that his team takes a 2-0 lead to Montreal for Game 3.
0:34
Capitals take lead over Canadiens on back-to-back goals
Connor McMichael and Dylan Strome score a minute apart to put the Capitals ahead of the Canadiens in the second period.
Dallas Stars 2, Colorado Avalanche 1 (OT)
(DAL leads 2-1)
The big story here was the return of Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog after three years. And a first-period goal from Valeri Nichushkin sent the crowd into a frenzy. But the Stars have veteran players of their own, and captain Jamie Benn tied the game midway through the third period, before Tyler Seguin tallied the game-winning goal at 5:31 of overtime.
1:04
Tyler Seguin breaks Avs’ hearts with OT winner for Stars
Tyler Seguin spoils Gabriel Landeskog’s return with a goal to claim the Stars’ second overtime win as they take a 2-1 series lead vs. the Avalanche.
Los Angeles Kings 6, Edmonton Oilers 2
(LA leads 2-0)
For the past three postseasons, the Kings have been eliminated in the first round by the Oilers. Is this finally the year they get past their tormentors from Alberta? Continuing to score six goals per game would certainly help. Brandt Clarke got the party started with a power-play goal at 8:44 of the first period, and he was joined on the scoresheet by Quinton Byfield, Andrei Kuzmenko, Adrian Kempe (with two) and Anze Kopitar. The Kings’ power play has been electric in this series, as L.A. has scored five goals on 10 opportunities with the man advantage.
0:42
Adrian Kempe scores again as Kings close in on victory
Adrian Kempe’s second goal of the night makes it 6-2 Kings as they take full control of Game 2 against the Oilers.
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