From Tim Tszyu winning three big fights to Jai Opetaia capping the year off with a statement knockout, 2023 was full of highlights from our Australian combat athletes.
Here, foxsports.com.au gets out the crystal ball to look ahead to 2024 and what could be on the cards, from another title for Tim Tszyu to Alex Volkanovski overcoming a UFC curse.
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Tszyu belts Ocampo in 77 seconds | 01:08
1.Tim Tszyu, middleweight champ
OK, let’s kick off our predictions with the seventh most Googled Australian of this past year. A fella who won hearts, minds, straps, cash … everything, really, bar the love of that mate’s bull terrier who mistook his arm for a can of Pal. So how does Tszyu better all that in 2024? How about by becoming a two-division world champ? After defending his WBO strap in the first quarter of this year, we’re backing the face of Australian boxing to then go win himself a second belt before moving up and claiming middleweight gold just before Christmas. Likely, gets his face on Weet-Bix cereal boxes, too.
LIGHTS OUT in RD 9 – Tszyu ends Harrison | 01:10
2.UFC returns Down Under
With the NSW Government splurging $16m for three UFC cards before early 2026, Sydney is the clubhouse leader to again host a PPV in the back half of this year — with August or September the most likely dates. And despite whispers flying around of a Fight Night event, either in addition to a PPV show or instead of it, we’re predicting one Qudos Bank Arena card which, this time around, features both Alexander Volkanovski and Robert Whittaker.
3.Billy Opetaia’s grandson wins his belt
Growing up on the Central Coast, Jai Opetaia remembers his grandfather, Billy, always saying how WBO world title belts were his. “WBO,” pop would grin, “World Billy Opetaia”. Which is why we’re tipping that strap to be the first this Australian cruiserweight king fights for, and wins, in his bid to unify the division in 2024. Despite vacating IBF gold for his Middle Eastern payday in December, we’re tipping Opetaia to have at least one, and possibly two straps back in his keeping by the end of this year.
Opetaia lands “truly devastating” KO | 00:47
4. Volk breaks UFC curse
Nowhere is growing old more of a s…show than inside steel cages. A truth proved by that infamous UFC curse which, for guys aged over 35, and in title fights between flyweight and welterweight, has them winning just two of 33. Or a hideous 6%. Come next February however, Alexander Volkanovski will halt a hoodoo he himself became part of last October, when kayoed by UFC lightweight king Islam Makhachev. Now returning to featherweight, we’re tipping Volk, 35, to defend his title against Ilia Topuria at UFC 298 next February. And after that? Reckon it could be Max Holloway, for a fourth time.
5. Gorgeous George goes global
With apologies to Peter V’landys, the greatest footy story to hit Las Vegas this year won’t be Tommy Turbo or ‘Trell Mitt, but that cult Dubbo prop who played above 120 kegs, split his pants at team-mate Anthony Watmough’s wedding and during the 2013 ASADA drugs storm, tweeted: “Unless there’s something wrong with KFC chicken, I’m sweet”. Already a household name on Australia’s east coast, we’re tipping George Rose to go global this year as – along with brothers Matt and Trent – his No Limit promotional stable makes what could be as many as five trips Stateside with the likes of Tim Tszyu, Liam Wilson and Sam Goodman.
6. Jermell Charlo dodges, ducks, dips, dives … and dodges
If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge Tim Tszyu. Or something like that. Which is why we’re tipping there will be no hyped showdown this year between the WBO champ and American superstar Charlo, who will continue opting for dollars over divisional unification. And in a sport called prizefighting, this is undeniably his right. Just as Charlo, right now, is also working through some other personal stuff that could keep him out of the ring. Regardless, you just know The Soul Taker – and, of course, his management team — will continue pushing for the blockbuster.
7. Harry Garside, Olympic flag bearer
Yep, we’re backing Harry to go one better than even his runner up performance on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here and win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. An effort that will not only see him earn national acclaim, but carry our flag at the closing ceremony. A Tokyo bronze medallist, Garside’s chances have been buoyed by the fact those two lightweights who finished ahead of him last time out – Andy Cruz and Keyshawn Davis – have turned pro and won’t be competing. The 26-year-old has also looked strong throughout the qualifying process. A huge Games showing would also mean that, despite his disdain for so much of the mullarkey that surrounds boxing at a professional level, he would likely head back there after returning home.
8. Five Australian world boxing champions by Christmas
Some will suggest we made this prediction over Christmas beers, and you’d be right. But with Aussie boxing on the cusp of its most exciting year in eons, we’ll take the odds on having five champions by the end of 2024, as our number of fighters competing for gold surpasses double figures. Don’t believe us? Well, consider that the list of Aussie champions or contenders right now includes, in no particular order, Tim Tszyu, Jai Opetaia, Jason Moloney, George Kambosos, Sam Goodman, Liam Wilson, Skye Nicolson, Ebanie Bridges, Michael Zerafa, Liam Paro, Andrew Moloney, Taylah Robertson, Rohan Murdock, Paulo Aukuso, Cherneka Johnson and Alex Winwood.
9. Robert Whittaker fights Sean Strickland
UFC middleweight champ Sean Strickland is no fan of Bobby Knuckles, having recently branded him a one-dimensional fighter who, boasting little more than a blitz, he would “f…ing destroy”. All of which will be dredged up when the pair throw down later this year. Not exactly sure where, or with what on the line. But it happens. With Whittaker either fighting Tarzan for the title or the right to get there should Strickland lose his strap to South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 297 on January 21.
10. Kostya Tszyu sits ringside in Las Vegas
For the best part of 20 years now, the only way to catch the ‘Thunder From Down Under’ in Las Vegas was to head across to Excalibur Casino, where a crew of shirtless, buffed blokes remove their strides for Benjamins. But in 2024? With son Tim set to fight up to three times in the world’s fight capital, we’re tipping the real Thunder from Down Under – Kostya Tszyu – to return to the city that went such a long way to defining his career. We’re also tipping the Aussie boxing legend to go absolutely berko in the corner, just like for his son’s debut way back in 2016 – his only other time ringside.
11. Nikita Tszyu eats bull penis
Or maybe it’s spicy rabbit head. Or a Leichhardt Oval hotdog. Regardless, we’re hearing the fighter whose camps have already included liver, testicle and cobra heart now wants to up the ante again in 2024. Same deal with his opponents. Which is why we’re tipping ‘The Butcher’ to also headline a home soil Pay-Per-View against a genuine international rival during the final third of this year.
12. Jack Della begins talk for Aussie UFC headliner
Australia’s rising welterweight star is set for the biggest fight of his hyped career in March, when he faces Brazilian Gilbert Burns at UFC 299. With a win, Della Maddalena catapults into title contention. Yet even a narrow lose would pitch the former rugby player toward a host of big names like Steven ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson, Ian Garry, even Colby Covington. All of which means by the end of this year, JDM, at 26, will be right in the mix for a world title headliner.
13. Sam Goodman fulfills tattoo prophecy
If you go watch an Albion Park footy game this winter, keep an eye out for the fella whose left forearm is already tattooed with ‘Sam Goodman, world champion’ … because it’s about to be in vogue. Apart from boasting the nation’s most raucous supporter crew – one of whom already carries his championship, tattoo — Goodman will sometime this year become our latest boxing king at super bantamweight. Our tip is for newly unified champ Nayoa Inoue to defend all four straps once and then vacate, opening the door for Goodman — starting, first up, with the WBO strap.
14. Australia’s next UFC rookie unveiled
While there’s a host of local fighters in the mix for UFC contracts, our pick has to be Eternal lightweight champ Quillan Salkilld. Still only 23, the Broome product was due to appear on Road to the UFC last year, only to be left without a bout after an unfortunate chain of events saw his opponent shifted to replace another fighter. Despite the setback, Salkilld will be looking to take his winning streak to six straight in his next title defence against Dom Mar Fan on February 10.
15. Liam Wilson avenges ‘27 second robbery’ — sort of
Incredibly, it has already been almost a year since the infamous ‘27 count’ that robbed Australia’s Liam Wilson of a world title against Emanuel Navarrete. But with the Mexican superstar showing more interest in moving up than rematching ‘Mr Damage’ … well, we’re tipping that fight never eventuates. Instead, and despite his recent call out of Ferocious Kambosos, we expect Wilson to stay at super featherweight, fight for Navarrete’s vacated WBO belt and make good on that heartfelt title promise he made to his late dad.
16. Shoeyvasa is back, baaaaaaby
He may be on a run of three straight losses, but we’re backing cult Mt Druitt heavyweight Tai Tuivasa to revive his signature ‘Shoey’ celebration this year, and potentially as soon as February when he faces Marcin Tybura at UFC 298. Despite being finished in his most recent outings against Alexander Volkov, Sergei Pavlovich and Ciryl Gane, Bam Bam remains ranked at No.9 at will undoubtedly favour his chances in a firefight with Tybura, who was himself finished within a round last start by new UFC interim heavyweight champ Tom Aspinall.
17. Paris unveils our next PPV star
Aside from us backing Harry Garside to win Olympic gold, we also reckon another Pay-Per-View star – in the long term – could also be found within the ranks of what is shaping as a strong national team. Given the amount of eyeballs on the Games, it’s the perfect chance for a fighter like, say, Callum Peters to grab himself a following before going pro. Still only 21, the light heavyweight boasts 76 wins as an amateur, was robbed of gold at last year’s Commonwealth Games and looks every inch a Next Big Thing. A real case of Watch This Space.
18. Latrell ‘Bodysnatcher’ Mitchell debuts
Betting odds on is like running upstairs backwards, you just don’t do it. Which is why we’ll punt ridiculously big for this one and back South Sydney’s Latrell Mitchell to make his professional boxing debut in late 2024. No stranger to fighting for what he believes in, the Rabbitohs poster boy is also a big boxing fan and, athletically you may have noticed, appears fairly handy. Of course, the 26-year-old is also advised by the Rose boys — and you know the old saying about things making dollars making sense.
19. NRL wannabe challenges for UFC Rookie gong
Seven years after trying to play his way into an NRL contract, Queensland’s Tom Nolan is now readying to debut on the first UFC card of 2024 — facing Brazil’s Nikolas Motta in Las Vegas on January 14. Dubbed ‘Big Train’, the undefeated lightweight arrives on the back of a spectacularly violent left hook KO on Dana White’s Contender Series. Rated a genuine talent by people who know, the former Toowoomba Clydesdales backrower could potentially fight three or four times in what we reckon will be a huge year for him.
20. Jason Moloney defends, looks to unify
Get ready for massive things from Aussie fight favourite Jason ‘Mayhem’ Moloney, who we’re backing to defend his WBO bantamweight title against America’s Saul Sanchez on Sunday, January 14 – and then begin his push to unify. The Top Rank card also shapes as a huge opportunity for Nerang super middleweight Rohan Murdock, who faces Christian Mbilli for what could eventually be a shot at megastar Canelo Alvarez.
21. Headlines for Justis Huni, Liam Paro, Steve Erceg
Three fighters, two sports, bucketloads of potential. Despite having endured a tough run with injuries, which limited him to fighting just once last year, we’re backing Aussie heavyweight Justis Huni to stay undefeated through 2024 as he continues climbing the world rankings. Still only 24, the Queenslander has plenty of time to make his mark on a division overseen by the likes of Tyson Fury, 35, Oleksandr Usyk, 36, and Anthony Joshua, 34. Elsewhere, Paro will emerge as one of the nation’s brightest boxing prospects while UFC flyweight Erceg will, we reckon, fight three times, go top five and before Christmas find himself in a Trans Tasman showdown with Kiwi favourite Kai Kara France.
22. Ebanie Bridges melts the internet
After losing her IBF world bantamweight title in a shock upset last month, critics were quick to take aim at Australia’s boxing queen. Yet given her love for a fight, we’re tipping the ‘Blonde Bomber’ will not only find herself in a world title fight again this year, but arrive for the weigh-ins wearing however little she wants … which, coincidentally, will almost certainly be enough to drive those same critics mental.
23. Winwood takes Jeff Fenech’s record
Moving faster than small town gossip, Winwood has blasted his way into a WBC world title eliminator after just four fights – putting him on track to beat Jeff Fenech’s record as the fastest Australian to a world title. Back in 1985, Fenech defeated Satoshi Shingaki for the IBF bantamweight crown in just his seventh appearance. This year, we’re tipping Winwood to get his strawweight gold one fight quicker.
24. Australia welcomes new ‘Raging Bull’
Like free beer and public holiday Mondays, everyone loves a heavyweight who knocks rivals cold. Which is why we’re all in on breakout Aussie heavyweight Brandon ‘The Bull’ Grach — an amateur star who disappeared from the sport for 10 years, returned in 2023, debuted as a pro, won both fights, and claimed Fox Sports Australia’s ‘Knockout of the Year’. Now managed by the Tszyu stable, we’ll tip him to fight at least three times this year and – boom, boom, boom — win ‘em all by finish.
