The biggest lower-weight title fights of 2024

In 2024 the boxing headlines have been dominated by the major heavyweight fighters. Anthony Joshua's March bout with Francis Ngannou was arguably the biggest fight of the year, and the huge one for the five-belt undisputed title - Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk - is yet to come.

While the heaviest hitters tend to attract the greatest amount of viewers as they are best-known, the sport also has plenty to offer from its lower weight classes.

The super lightweight and lightweight divisions boast some of the leading pound-for-pound fighters of all. This year two title fights stand out across the two divisions with multiple belts on the line in each.

Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia

Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia are two remarkable fighters who are yet to even reach their primes. Their meeting in April could provide a catalyst for one to become a true boxing great.

Haney is the clear favourite going into the fight according to all major odds makers. For example, bet365, a trang cá độ bóng đá trực tuyến that also regularly offers markets on boxing, has Haney priced at 1/9.

It would be a huge shock if Haney were to lose his unbeaten streak against Garcia considering how he has dominated the leading fighters in both the light and super light divisions in recent years - he has been the holder of five different belts spread just across the past 18 months.

pic.twitter.com/G6R0OERr03

— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) March 9, 2024

Haney has won all 31 of the fights he has participated in and achieved an impressive figure of 15 knockouts over his career. The American was ranked seventh in The Ring's pound-for-pound rankings of February 2024 which is a further indication of his strong reputation at the age of just 25.

Garcia's fighting CV simply does not compare to Haney's. He has never been a holder of a world champion belt and has a knockout loss on his record. It is massively unlikely he will earn his first world title against by far his strongest opponent yet.

Vasiliy Lomachenko vs George Kambosos Jr.

Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos will face off in another sub-150 lbs title fight this year. They will essentially fight for the crown that Haney left behind in the lightweight division.

The American relinquished his four-belt undisputed champion status in 2023 to seek greater competition in the class above. That has left a great opportunity for another individual to dominate and that could start with the winner of Lomachenko vs Kambosos Jr. in May.

I am looking forward to it #loma pic.twitter.com/4wnnFaGlfu

— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) August 27, 2019

The former will be the big favourite going into the bout as he has an abundance of experience in title fights - 13 of 17 career wins came when belts were on the line. Lomachenko has a huge knockout threat having won in that fashion in 65% of his wins so far.

The Ukrainian will expect to improve his record and reclaim the IBF title that he lost to Haney last year. However, there is a clear blueprint from Lomachenko's past losses that Kambosos Jr. could follow for the greatest chance of an upset.

All three of Lomachenko's defeats came via a points decision suggesting when he fails to get a knockout his style doesn't guarantee victory.

Kambosos simply needs to ensure the fight goes the distance - which has been no problem in his career so far - and he must pick his moments carefully as Lomachenko will control the fight but will fatigue in the later rounds due to his relentless striking style.

These two fights are arguably the biggest of the year when it comes to the greatest matchups in the lower-weight classes. New champions could be established or former title holders could be restored.