July 2025 is packed with high-profile boxing events, showcasing many of the world`s top fighters and featuring the return of a boxing icon at the age of 46. From heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk to junior bantamweight star Jesse `Bam` Rodriguez, this month`s calendar is full of world title contests featuring elite athletes across various divisions and pound-for-pound rankings.
A major highlight is the return of modern legend Manny Pacquiao after nearly four years out of the ring. Also on the schedule is the highly anticipated third meeting between undisputed junior welterweight champion Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, a trilogy fight that`s particularly hard to predict. The quality of bouts this month is so strong that several significant fights, including Alberto Puello vs. Subriel Matias for the WBC junior welterweight title, Alycia Baumgardner vs. Jennifer Miranda, and Jack Catterall vs. Harlem Eubank, didn`t make this ranked list.
Here`s a breakdown of the top fights scheduled for July and why they are must-watch events:
10. Claressa Shields (-2500) vs. Lani Daniels (+1100) – July 26 in Detroit (DAZN)
What`s at stake: Shields` undisputed women`s heavyweight championship
Claressa Shields, the first boxer to become undisputed world champion in three weight classes, defends her women`s heavyweight titles in her hometown. While the odds heavily favor Shields, she faces Lani Daniels, an experienced former IBF champion who has won her last seven fights. The New Zealand-based Daniels is expected to provide a more challenging fight than Shields` previous opponent, Danielle Perkins, whom Shields dominated to become undisputed champion in February.
9. Bruce Carrington (-5000) vs. Mateus Heita (+1600) – July 26 in New York (ESPN/ESPN+)
What`s at stake: The vacant WBC interim featherweight title
Bruce `Shu Shu` Carrington has the opportunity to secure a world title shot by defeating Mateus Heita. Carrington, currently in excellent form, could even be elevated to full champion status depending on WBC champion Stephen Fulton`s decision after moving up a division for his next fight. Carrington has publicly challenged champions, and this marks his first scheduled 12-round bout. He impressed in March by becoming the first fighter to stop Enrique Vivas, and he might look for another knockout victory here.
8. Xander Zayas vs. Jorge Garcia – July 26 in New York (ESPN/ESPN+)
What`s at stake: The vacant WBO junior middleweight title
Xander Zayas faces a tough challenge in Jorge Garcia for his first world title attempt. Zayas possesses the talent needed to win and potentially follow in the footsteps of Puerto Rican legends like Miguel Cotto and Felix Trinidad. Garcia proved his power by stopping Charles Conwell in April, and his heavy hands could trouble Zayas if the fight turns into a slugfest. However, Zayas, a skilled boxer since turning pro at 17, is well-trained and talented. His effective body punching, as seen in his win over Patrick Teixeira, suggests he has the versatility to outbox Garcia.
7. Edgar Berlanga (-120) vs. Hamzah Sheeraz (-105) – July 12 in Queens, New York (DAZN)
What`s at stake: A chance for Sheeraz at a potential superfight against Canelo Alvarez
Hamzah Sheeraz is reportedly among the candidates for a lucrative fight against undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez next year. However, he must first win his super middleweight debut against Edgar Berlanga, a former world title challenger. Berlanga, who was cautious in a previous loss to Alvarez, bounced back with a quick first-round win in March. The prospect of Sheeraz potentially getting a Canelo fight has apparently motivated Berlanga, suggesting he might aggressively seek a knockout. This bout is critical for Sheeraz, who is moving up in weight following a challenging split draw against Carlos Adames in February, which ended Sheeraz`s knockout streak. This fight will help determine if Sheeraz can compete effectively at the elite level and in a higher weight class.
6. Sebastian Fundora (+120) vs. Tim Tszyu (-150) 2 – July 19 in Las Vegas (Amazon Prime Video PPV)
What`s at stake: Fundora`s WBC and WBO junior middleweight titles
Tim Tszyu aims to recover from a difficult 2024 and rebuild his career in a rematch against the towering Sebastian Fundora (6-foot-5). Tszyu lost a split decision in their bloody first encounter in March 2024, where he suffered an early cut. His struggles continued with a TKO loss in October, suffering multiple knockdowns. Tszyu recently gained confidence with a stoppage win in April, but questions remain about the long-term impact of his previous two defeats. Fundora also had a stoppage win in March, meaning Tszyu will likely need a career-best performance to defeat the giant American champion in this second fight.
5. Shakur Stevenson (-1200) vs. William Zepeda (+650) – July 12 in Queens, New York (DAZN)
What`s at stake: Stevenson`s WBC lightweight title
Shakur Stevenson appeared sharp in his last fight against a replacement opponent, but he now faces a tougher test in William Zepeda. Stevenson`s defensive style divides fan opinion, yet his technical skill, precision, and defense are undeniable. Zepeda is undefeated but was tested in his split decision win against Tevin Farmer last November, being knocked down in the process. Zepeda`s aggressive, high-pressure style could potentially suit Stevenson`s counterpunching on the back foot.
While Stevenson`s talent is clear, he needs to show more offensive initiative against Zepeda to generate excitement and build towards major fights like a potential clash with Gervonta Davis. A purely defensive approach might not be enough; a more aggressive strategy would boost his popularity and likely lead to a more engaging fight against the high-volume Zepeda.
4. Jesse Rodriguez (-2500) vs. Phumelele Cafu (+1100) – July 19 in Frisco, Texas (DAZN)
What`s at stake: Rodriguez`s WBC junior bantamweight title and Cafu`s WBO junior bantamweight title (unification bout)
Prepare for the return of arguably boxing`s most thrilling fighter: Jesse `Bam` Rodriguez. The San Antonio native is in dominant form and is expected to aggressively pursue unifying titles in a second weight class. `Bam` recently defended his WBC junior bantamweight belt with a third-round TKO over Pedro Guevara, following impressive wins including a knockout of Juan Francisco Estrada and forcing Sunny Edwards to retire. His victory over the respected two-division champion Estrada was particularly notable, and the uppercut that knocked out Guevara was devastating.
Rodriguez should be cautious of Cafu`s power, as the South African managed to drop Kosei Tanaka in a previous fight. However, Rodriguez is widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters globally, so anticipate an exciting performance against Cafu.
3. Manny Pacquiao (+260) vs. Mario Barrios (-350) – July 19 in Las Vegas (Amazon Prime Video PPV)
What`s at stake: Barrios` WBC welterweight title
The age difference in this fight highlights its unique nature: Mario Barrios was born just four months after Manny Pacquiao`s professional boxing career began 30 years ago.
Many question the wisdom of a 46-year-old returning after nearly four years of retirement. Yet, millions worldwide, especially in the Philippines, will tune in to witness `Pac Man` attempt to become the oldest welterweight champion in history. Only two other boxers, George Foreman and Bernard Hopkins, have won world titles at age 46 or older.
Pacquiao`s last performance in August 2021 showed a noticeably slower version of himself in a loss to Yordenis Ugas. With 72 professional fights and championships in eight divisions, Pacquiao is a true legend. If any fighter can defy age in the ring, it is him. He is also aiming to break his own record for the oldest 147-pound champion. A victory for Pacquiao would undeniably be one of the most extraordinary sports stories of the year.
2. Oleksandr Usyk (-400) vs. Daniel Dubois (+300) 2 – July 19 in London (DAZN PPV)
What`s at stake: Usyk`s WBC, WBO and WBA heavyweight titles and Dubois` IBF heavyweight title (unified titles)
Oleksandr Usyk has indicated he plans to retire after a couple more fights, and his presence in boxing will be missed. He has dominated the heavyweight division for four years, securing double victories over two of the era`s best, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. However, Daniel Dubois possesses significant knockout power, as demonstrated by his fifth-round stoppage of Joshua. Dubois previously challenged Usyk two years ago in a fight marred by controversy when his body punch was ruled a low blow. Usyk recovered from the incident and ultimately stopped Dubois in the ninth round. Undisputed heavyweight title fights are rare, and if Usyk achieves undisputed status across two weight classes (cruiserweight and heavyweight) for a second time, fans will be witnessing history.
1. Katie Taylor (+135) vs. Amanda Serrano (-170) 3 – July 11 in New York (Netflix)
What`s at stake: Taylor`s undisputed women`s junior welterweight championship
Following two incredibly competitive and captivating fights, Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano are set for a third encounter at Madison Square Garden. Their rivalry is arguably the most significant in women`s boxing history, producing two thrilling bouts decided by narrow, sometimes disputed, decisions. Their first meeting in 2022 was historic, headlining the Garden, and their 2024 rematch on Netflix shattered viewership records, becoming the most-watched women`s sports event in US history and named ESPN`s Women`s Fight of the Year. Taylor won the rematch by a close decision, despite Serrano suffering a cut from a headbutt (for which Taylor was later penalized). Serrano fought effectively even with the injury, making this trilogy incredibly difficult to predict. Key questions remain: will headbutts factor into the fight again, and how significant will their impact be? Can Taylor withstand Serrano`s early pressure and once again assert control in the later rounds?
Ellis Thorne 
Percy Harlow