2018 was a rollercoaster year for boxing, packed with drama, knockouts, and all-out wars. From British title brawls to heavyweight epics, this was a year that delivered serious action for both hardcore fans and casual viewers. Here’s my list of the top 10 fights of 2018 — the ones that had us on the edge of our seats, shouting at the telly, or replaying that knockout one more time.
10. Jason Welborn vs Tommy Langford – 8 September 2018
If you’re one of those people who question the importance of the British title, watch this fight. Twelve gruelling rounds, knockdowns, momentum swings — this had everything. Welborn edged it by split decision, but both men gave it absolutely everything. I’d watch this again in a heartbeat.
9. Tony Bellew vs David Haye II – 5 May 2018
The rematch came after the controversy of their first bout, where many claimed Bellew only won due to Haye’s Achilles injury. Not this time. Bellew was in complete control, outboxing and outgunning Haye before stopping him in the fifth round. A clear win, and a satisfying end to the rivalry.
8. Dereck Chisora vs Carlos Takam – 28 July 2018
This fight was a must-win for both men — and it didn’t disappoint. Fought at a ridiculous pace, it swung back and forth before Chisora landed a bomb in the eighth round that ended it. One of the best knockouts of the year and proof that Chisora still had plenty in the tank.
7. Dillian Whyte vs Joseph Parker – 28 July 2018
On the same night as Chisora-Takam, Whyte delivered a career-defining performance. He dropped Parker — something even Anthony Joshua couldn’t do — and outworked him over 12 rounds. The final stanza was pure theatre, with Whyte hanging on and Parker throwing the kitchen sink. Whyte got the decision and made a real case for a title shot.
6. George Groves vs Callum Smith – 28 September 2018
The final of the World Boxing Super Series delivered a changing of the guard. Groves started strong, but Smith took over in the second half and closed the show with a brutal stoppage in the seventh. A massive win that crowned Smith as one of Britain’s top super-middleweights.
5. Rocky Fielding vs Tyron Zeuge – 14 July 2018
An underrated away-day upset. Fielding travelled to Germany as a massive underdog, but didn’t read the script. He battered Zeuge from the off and finished the job with a stunning fifth-round KO. Easily the performance of his career — and a reminder that British boxing travels well.
3. Gennady Golovkin vs Canelo Alvarez II – 15 September 2018
After the controversial draw in their first fight, these two went to war again. It was close throughout, but Canelo’s cleaner work shaded it — though some still argue Golovkin deserved the nod. Regardless, it was another high-level scrap between two of the best middleweights of the era.
2. Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder I – 1 December 2018
Many thought this was a tune-up for Wilder. Wrong. Fury outboxed the WBC champ for long stretches, showing slick movement and confidence. Wilder’s knockdowns in rounds 9 and 12 were dramatic — especially Fury’s Undertaker-style rise — but many fans felt he did enough to win. A classic, and one that left us begging for a rematch.
1. Fight of the Year: Josh Taylor vs Viktor Postol – 23 June 2018
This was Taylor’s coming-out party. Against a rugged, experienced Postol, he showed grit, skill, and maturity beyond his years. It was a close, competitive fight — one that went the distance — but Taylor emerged as a future world champion. The fight had everything: shifts in momentum, blood, bravery, and a star being born.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it — my top 10 fights of 2018. From domestic dust-ups to world-class showdowns, last year proved that boxing is alive and kicking. Let me know in the comments — did I miss any? Which one was your fight of the year?
Got to admit it was nice to see 10 fights and not one mention of AJ I haven’t got anything against AJ I’ve seen most of his fights but a broad spectrum of fighters weldone Chris.