Cliff Rold

In 1976, the WBC brought back a division that only briefly and without much fanfare flared on the boxing scene in the early 1920s. In the space between bantamweight and featherweight, a class few likely were asking for became one of the most indispensable of the last half century.

The number one spot in this competition index has been in flux throughout 2023 with Artur Beterbiev, Devin Haney, and Saul Alvarez all ending a quarter in the lead.

Every first or second place choice in the BoxingScene pound-for-pound year-end poll went to one of two people.

Maybe former WBA super middleweight titlist Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KO) has a big upset in him. The 33-year old has looked sharper and quicker than he did in gaining a controversial decision against John Ryder and being blown out over twelve rounds versus Saul Alvarez at 168 pounds. Standing 6’3, the extra eight pounds at light heavyweight appears a better home for him.

Pick It: World Champion Artur Beterbiev vs. TBRB #3 Callum Smith (Saturday, ESPN, 10:00 PM EST) - While it isn’t the first fight card of the year, we can probably consider this the real start to the 2024 boxing ‘season.’ 38-year old lineal light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev (19-0, 19 KO) has acquired every belt in the division except the one around the waist of his chief rival: Dmitry Bivol. 33-year old former WBA super middleweight titlist Callum Smith (29-1, 21 KO) is younger, taller, but also even more inactive coming into the fight than the oft injured Beterbiev.

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By Cliff Rold - 2023 had to be disappointing for lineal and unified WBA/WBC junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (22-1, 14 KO). He will find out if fortune shines more favor in 2024, starting on Tuesday (ESPN+, 4 AM EST). Anything in contrast to 2022 would have been a tough act to follow. Kenshiro avenged his lone career loss with a third round knockout of Masamichi Yabuki to regain the WBC crown. He followed it with a blazing domination of WBA titlist Hiroto Kyoguchi, stopping his national rival in seven.

Pick It: World Champion Kenshiro Teraji vs. TBRB #4 Carlos Canizales (Tuesday, ESPN+, 4:00 AM EST)

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Boxing’s lack of major events in the first quarter of 2023 hasn’t meant doing without entertaining fights.