Liam Wilson vs Oscar Valdez. If they want that top, championship status, they have to win Whoever loses, forget about it for a long long time. It's just the way it is. Loss number 3 it will be and they take a major step back from that ultimate prize. Which other fighters can't afford to lose their next one? Fat Boy Fury if he actually decides to front up against Usyk. Lara vs Zerafa - IBF Title. Loser's career is finished too in terms of that No 1 status. Loma vs GKJ - Huge stakes on the line.
In terms of being at the top as well as their career in general I should have been more clear. They can fit into both of those categories if you like.
Josh Taylor - after all the talk of going up to 147 to challenge Crawford & Spence his career has nosedived after the whole Catterall controversy then staying at 140 to fight Lopez and fighting a bad gameplan that played right into Teo's hands. Taylor needs to move up and fight someone at 147 and try and build some positive momentum if he thinks he can make some noise at 147 - he has lost all momentum (and belts!) he built in his undisputed run at 140 and he is a cadaver at the weight now. Personally, I'm not sure he can do much at 147 either and seems to have let a bunch of stuff outside the ring really affect him, but would love for him to prove me wrong
as the above Wilder and Aj are especially on a tightrope I could include Fury, but unless he is completely outclassed? The rematch will be there should he lose
I honestly think Ryan Garcia's career is on the line with Haney. He can't afford to lose big against Haney, otherwise it's a wrap for him.
It would be awesome if Garcia chinned Haney, but man, Garcia seems so undedicated and easily flustered. He'll probably get 120'd.
The dude is only 25 and it would be his second loss. You honestly think he would loose all of his fans, stardom and never be given another chance? Ryan Garcia could loose his next 3 fight and still recover his career.
I don't understand the Lomachenko votes. He's only lost against the best available competition and each loss was close enough to be controversial. He's clearly still fighting at the top level and will have no problem beating anyone below that.