Ranking October’s Top Boxing Showdowns

By Nick Parkinson

October is set to deliver a series of pivotal boxing matchups, offering fighters across various weight classes – from heavyweight to junior lightweight – the chance to make a significant impact on their divisions.

For example, WBO interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker faces a critical challenge against Fabio Wardley; a loss here could jeopardize his opportunity for an undisputed title shot against Oleksandr Usyk in 2026.

Elsewhere, O`Shaquie Foster and Sebastian Fundora aim to enhance their standings in the junior lightweight and junior middleweight divisions, respectively. Jaron `Boots` Ennis is poised for a commanding debut at 154 pounds, while Jesus Ramos Jr., now competing at middleweight, seeks to transition from promising talent to a formidable contender by overcoming Shane Mosley Jr.

With major reputations on the line, October promises compelling boxing action. Here’s a rundown of the top fights to watch this coming month.

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Best Fights in October

1. O`Shaquie Foster vs. Stephen Fulton

Stephen Fulton aims for a third divisional world title in his junior lightweight debut. His only prior defeat was a stoppage loss to Naoya Inoue in July 2023 at junior featherweight. Since then, he has secured wins against Carlos Castro in September 2024 and Brandon Figueroa in February.

Fulton (23-1, 8 KOs) impressively outworked Figueroa in their rematch, landing more total punches (214-153), jabs (32-29), and power punches (182-114). He will likely employ a similar strategy against Foster, but the question remains if it will be as effective against Foster`s clever movement and refined skills.

After reclaiming the WBC junior lightweight title with a split decision victory over Robson Conceicao in their November rematch, Foster (23-3, 12 KOs) looks to elevate his career with a win over Fulton. Foster`s superior size and reach could prove decisive against Fulton, who previously faced a knockdown in Round 5 when fighting Castro at featherweight.

This will be Foster`s sixth fight at junior lightweight, presenting a prime opportunity for him to deliver a spectacular performance and significantly boost his public profile.

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2. Joseph Parker vs. Fabio Wardley

Despite his relative lack of experience, Wardley`s formidable right hand and sheer determination make this an intriguing fight with upset potential. It promises excitement for fight fans.

Wardley (19-0-1, 18 KOs) has been involved in several thrilling contests recently. In June, he knocked out the previously undefeated Justis Huni in the 10th round, despite being significantly behind on the scorecards (83-88, 82-89, 82-89). This dramatic victory followed a first-round knockout win over Frazer Clarke in a rematch, after a grueling draw in March 2024.

Wardley enters the ring against Parker as the WBA interim champion. However, this title doesn`t fully reflect his standing among the heavyweight elite – he`s ranked No. 10 in ESPN`s divisional rankings. It would be a significant upset for him to halt Parker`s impressive recent run. Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), a former WBO champion, initially hoped to challenge undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk. Now, he must overcome Wardley to maintain his world title contention.

Guided by the strategic insights of experienced trainer Andy Lee, Parker has showcased smart and sharp boxing, securing a knockout against Martin Bakole and outpointing heavy punchers Zhilei Zhang and Deontay Wilder in his last three outings. Parker is the favorite, but Wardley has consistently delivered excitement in his recent fights and has proven his ability to find a path to victory even when trailing.

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3. Jaron `Boots` Ennis vs. Uisma Lima

Jaron Ennis`s bold claim – “`These dudes can`t tie my shoes. I`m the best in the world, and they know it`” – made when his fight against Lima was announced in August, sets high expectations for his performance in his junior middleweight debut.

Ennis (34-0, 30 KOs), facing a less-known opponent, is the heavy favorite to deliver a spectacular performance for his hometown fans in Philadelphia.

After unifying the IBF and WBA welterweight titles with a sixth-round knockout of Eimantas Stanionis in April, moving up in weight is a strategic move for Ennis, opening up significant matchups at 154 pounds. With limited information available on Lima, a crowd-pleasing knockout from Ennis is widely anticipated.

This fight also serves as a backdrop to speculation about a future clash between Ennis and Virgil Ortiz Jr. (assuming Ortiz defeats Erickson Lubin in November), which would undoubtedly be a much more significant encounter.

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4. Sebastian Fundora vs. Keith Thurman

Known as `The Towering Inferno,` Sebastian Fundora looks to cement his status as the world`s premier junior middleweight with his third WBC title defense against seasoned veteran Keith Thurman.

The 6-foot-5 Fundora (23-1-1, 15 KOs) has already secured two title victories this year, stopping Chordale Booker in March and Tim Tszyu in July. Fundora dropped Tszyu in Round 1 and compelled him to retire after seven rounds. It was a dominant display for Fundora, whose significant height and reach advantages are expected to pose problems for the 5-9½ Thurman.

Thurman`s prime years, as a welterweight from 2013 to 2017, seem like a distant memory, and his recent activity has been sparse. Since losing his WBA welterweight title to Manny Pacquiao in July 2019, he has fought only twice. His third-round win over Brock Jarvis in March, his first fight in three years, was considered sufficient to earn him another title shot at 36 years of age.

If Thurman (31-1, 23 KOs) manages to defy expectations and become a two-division world champion, it would rank among the biggest upsets of the year.

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5. Jesus Alejandro Ramos Jr. vs. Shane Mosley Jr.

This title eliminator offers a shot at WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames, and anticipation is high for Ramos`s performance.

Ramos (23-1, 19 KOs) accepted this fight after achieving three consecutive stoppage victories, placing him on the cusp of major opportunities. A unanimous decision loss to Erickson Lubin in September 2023 has left some questioning Ramos`s ultimate impact, but this fight could be his moment to change perceptions.

However, Mosley (22-4, 12 KOs) is riding high on the biggest win of his career – a unanimous decision victory over former champion Daniel Jacobs in July 2024 that prompted Jacobs` retirement. He has built considerable momentum since his loss to Jason Quigley in 2021. This also represents a significant moment for him to step out from the shadow of his legendary father, `Sugar` Shane Mosley, a three-division world champion.

With both fighters needing a win to secure a first world title shot, this encounter possesses all the ingredients for a competitive, uncompromising, and thrilling showdown.

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6. Mary Spencer vs. Mikaela Mayer

While this fight holds significant importance for both fighters` careers, the potential outcomes for Mayer, should she secure a victory, are particularly compelling.

Mayer continues her ascent through the divisions, aiming to become a three-weight world champion and set the stage for a blockbuster fight against Claressa Shields, who is ESPN`s No. 1 pound-for-pound women`s boxer.

After defeating Sandy Ryan in two spirited welterweight encounters by decision, the 5-foot-9 Mayer (21-2, 5 KOs) is stepping directly into a world title fight at junior middleweight. Mayer is a skilled boxer with impressive energy, but the question remains how she will adapt to the higher weight class against the 40-year-old Spencer (10-2, 6 KOs).

If Mayer emerges victorious, discussions will undoubtedly pivot towards a potential matchup with Shields, which would likely be the biggest fight in women`s boxing, especially with Katie Taylor currently taking a break from the sport.

“If Claressa gets down to 154 pounds, I think that`s something that we`ve both discussed making happen,” Mayer shared with Sky Sports in June.

Shields and Mayer, who were teammates on the U.S. women`s boxing team at the 2016 Olympics, could soon become fierce rivals as Mayer progresses through the weight categories. Shields, the only three-division undisputed champion in women`s boxing, achieved the feat of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion in the women`s game earlier this year. If she is comfortable moving down from heavyweight (over 175 pounds) to 154 pounds, then a fight with Mayer becomes a strong possibility.

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7. Danny Garcia vs. Daniel Gonzalez

Dubbed Garcia`s `Farewell to Brooklyn,` this fight at the Barclays Center has many wondering if it marks the final appearance for the two-division world champion, at least in his home borough.

If Garcia (37-4, 21 KOs) harbors serious ambitions of securing major fights, he must convincingly overcome Gonzalez (22-4-1, 7 KOs), especially after his ninth-round retirement defeat to Erislandy Lara a year ago. This will be only Garcia`s fourth bout in nearly five years, and at age 37, a third defeat in four fights could prompt him to retire his gloves.

Should Garcia display some of the vintage form that saw him defeat fighters like Erik Morales, Lamont Peterson, and Paulie Malignaggi at the Barclays Center, it would provide a fitting conclusion to a distinguished career.