The early May 2025 boxing matches might not have blockbuster billing, but they’re quietly shaping up to be some of the most entertaining bouts of the month.
Let’s be honest — the fight I’m personally buzzing for is in Nottingham. Leigh Wood’s back, and he’s rarely in anything short of a war. But it’s not just the headliners — there are underrated scraps happening across the UK, US, and Japan this weekend that deserve way more attention than they’re getting.
Here are three fights that could surprise you — no fluff, no filler. Just proper matchups worth your time.
Cacace vs Wood – Guaranteed Fireworks in Nottingham
If you watch one of the early May 2025 boxing matches this weekend, make it this one.
Leigh Wood doesn’t do boring. Win or lose, he’s always in the thick of it — and in front of a Nottingham crowd, that pressure only dials up. This time he’s facing Anthony Cacace, the IBO super featherweight champ. And while Cacace isn’t a household name, he’s a slick southpaw who can make anyone look bad.
This isn’t a comeback stroll for Wood. It’s a hard, meaningful fight between two guys who know what’s on the line. Momentum. Relevance. Titles. Expect tension early and chaos late.
Old-school British scrap with real stakes. Could easily steal the night.
Navarrete vs Suarez – Brawler Meets Technician in San Diego
Over in San Diego, Emanuel Navarrete defends his WBO super featherweight title against unbeaten Filipino standout Charly Suarez. This one’s flying under the radar, but that’s exactly why you should care.
Navarrete’s all angles and volume — the kind of fighter who throws punches from places you didn’t know existed. Suarez is the opposite: calm, composed, and technically slick. He’s undefeated for a reason, and if Navarrete gives him too many chances to counter, this could get uncomfortable fast.
This isn’t just a showcase. It’s a genuine test.
Perfect example of what makes early May 2025 boxing matches so watchable: no hype, just high-quality matchups.
Martinez vs Ioka II – The Silent Showstopper in Tokyo
This one’s a bit of a purist’s pick, but don’t sleep on it. Fernando Martinez defends his WBA junior bantamweight title in a rematch against Kazuto Ioka, and it could be the most technical, high-stakes bout of the weekend.
Martinez outworked Ioka last time — simple as that. But Ioka’s been here before. He’s the type of fighter who learns, adjusts, and takes you apart second time round. Expect twelve rounds of feints, angles, and razor-thin margins.
It’s not a fight that’ll make headlines — but it’s one that’ll remind you why you love boxing.
More on Kazuto Ioka’s career via The Ring
This is chess, not checkers — and that’s exactly what makes it fascinating.
Underrated Fighters to Keep on Your Radar
- Liam Davies – Solid domestic name building momentum at super bantam. Back in action on the Nottingham card.
- Raymond Muratalla – Explosive lightweight on the Navarrete undercard. Fast hands, sharp instincts.
- Hayato Tsutsumi – Tokyo prospect with serious upside. Watch him now before he starts headlining.
Get Involved: What’s on Your Radar?
The early May 2025 boxing matches aren’t just filler — they’re full of danger, redemption, and style clashes that could set the tone for the summer.
What fights are you watching this weekend? Seen a name we missed? Jump into the comments and share your picks — and don’t forget to head over to CMBoxing for more opinion-led previews, analysis, and boxing takes that actually cut through the noise.