Year-End Sports Recap: Ranking The Best Boxing Fights Of 2022

2022 produced yet another solid year in terms of memorable matchups inside the squared-circle.

While there wasn't necessarily a lot of hype brought on by big names in the sport, there was still a lot of must-see action in the world of "Sweet science."

With that being said, the International Business Times ranks the best boxing bouts of 2022.

5. Jose Zepeda vs. Regis Prograis

Prior to the pandemic, it looked like Regis Prograis was on an upward trajectory, even after falling to Josh Taylor in the World Boxing Super Series light welterweight finale.

Since the loss to Taylor, Prograis flew under the radar of sorts.

Even though he won three-straight bouts, it felt as if those wins—all TKOs under ten rounds—didn't help to elevate his stature in the sport.

Jose Zepeda, on the other hand, was on his own upward trajectory and had won five straight prior to the showdown with Prograis.

The battle for the vacant WBC light welterweight title had all the makings of an instant classic last November 26.

True enough, Prograis and Zepeda put on one of the better bouts for 2022.

Zepeda was finding quite a bit of success early on, but Prograis began to pick up the pace and pull ahead.

In the 10th round, Zepeda stunned Prograis, but the latter recovered and the two figured in a firefight.

A heavy left hand from Prograis wobbled Zepeda before going for the finish and putting the latter away in just under a minute into the 10th frame.

Once again, Prograis had world championship gold around his waist.

4. Sebastian Fundora vs. Erickson Lubin

To the casual fan, Sebastian Fundora and Erickson Lubin are relative unknowns, but these two put on one of the best bouts of 2022 last April 9.

An undefeated 24-year-old out of Florida, Fundora's first attempt at championship gold ended back in 2019 ended in a draw.

Since then, he racked up five consecutive victories to earn another shot at gold.

Lubin, meanwhile, challenged Jermell Charlo for the WBC super welterweight championship in 2017 but came up short.

Since bowing to Charlo, he put together a streak of six victories, including a WBC silver super welterweight title win and defense.

That stripe earned him another opportunity at world championship gold.

With the interim WBC light middleweight title on the line, Fundora and Lubin battled back and forth, with each fighter getting their shots in.

Lubin fought as valiantly as he could, but his corner threw in the towel after the ninth round as he had already taken way too much damage at the hands of Fundora.

3. Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano

A bout that was originally scheduled to take place back in May of 2020, Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano was a battle between the two best women's boxers in the world today.

Last April 30, the two multi-divisional world champions finally squared off for the undisputed lightweight championship.

At the time, Ireland's Taylor was undefeated in 20 professional bouts and was the No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter in the world.

Serrano, on the other hand, was ranked the No. 3 best and was a dominant featherweight looking to take over another weight class.

Taylor found success early, but Serrano rallied back by the third round and even nearly scored a knockdown.

By the fifth round, Taylor was once again in the driver's seat as she continued to capitalize in a fading Serrano.

The final moments of the final round saw both Taylor and Serrano swinging for the fences, much to the delight of the crowd in attendance.

In the end, it was Taylor who earned the split decision nod in an instant classic that is being mentioned by multiple publications as a possible Fight of the Year candidate.

2. Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez III

Perhaps one of the biggest rivalries in boxing's lower weight classes, Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzales went to war for the third time last December 3 and once again produced a battle for the ages.

The two first crossed paths back in 2012, with "Chocolatito" winning by unanimous decision to retain the WBA light flyweight championship.

Since then, both Gonzales and Estrada ventured up in weight, ultimately becoming two of the most dominant boxers in the flyweight and super flyweight divisions.

The two ultimately figured in a rematch in 2021, with Estrada winning by split decision.

In the trilogy bout, Estrada took control early as he utilized his youth and movement to score points on his older opponent.

Gonzales found his groove midway through the bout and began to swing the bout in his favor.

In the final frame, Estrada kept Gonzales at bay to ensure the majority decision victory to capture the vacant WBC super flyweight title.

1. Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano II

Another rematch takes the top spot in this year's rankings, with Jermell Charlo taking on Brian Castano in a do-over of their controversial 2021 meeting last May 14.

In their first meeting, Charlo and Castano battled to a split draw and set up an immediate rematch.

Charlo and Castano picked up where they left off and went back and forth once again.

The American slowly started to put more power behind his shots as the bout progressed, and once the bout entered the championship rounds, Castano had no answer for Charlo's onslaught.

In the tenth round, Charlo dropped Castano twice and eventually finished the encounter to become the first-ever undisputed super welterweight champion.