Dillian Whyte and Vasyl Lomachenko in five fights eagerly awaited before Christmas

Boxing fans have been spoiled this early fall with back-to-back heavyweight blockbusters, but there’s still plenty of first-class action to come before the end of 2021.

At the end of September, Oleksandr Usyk put in a superb performance to dethrone champion Anthony Joshua at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Then, just two weeks later, Tyson Fury clinched a resounding victory over Deontay Wilder in their trilogy clash in one of the great fights of the modern age.

It has been truly spectacular weeks for the fans who were so eager to return to stadiums and venues around the world after the COVID-19 lockdowns.

While the dust may now settle on the heavyweight titles, there is a host of glittering fights ahead before Christmas.

Dillian Whyte vs. Otto Wallin

October 30, O2 Arena, London

Acting WBC heavyweight champion Whyte is desperate to get a shot against Fury in 2022, but will have to face the dangerous Swede Wallin first.

Brixton’s “Body Snatcher” knocked out Alexander Povetkin in his rematch in March, putting in a brilliant performance in Gibraltar.

The 33-year-old is yet to reach a world title level, but has improved considerably in recent years despite his shock knockout loss to Povetkin in August 2020.

Whyte will not neglect Wallin.

‘All In’ beat former title contender Dominic Breazeale earlier this year and gave Fury a real test in September 2019.

Canelo Alvarez vs. Caleb Factory

November 6 – MGM Grand, Las Vegas

In a year dominated by talk of an undisputed fight between Joshua and Fury, we’ll be treated to an explosive unification clash just after bonfire night.

There is no love lost between Canelo and Plant and they are ready to fight for the WBA (Super), WBC, WBO, IBF and The Ring super middleweight titles.

The two fought at their press conference recently and both will be eager to emerge victorious in Vegas.

Canelo claimed another belt when he arrested Billy Joe Saunders in May by breaking his orbit.

Meanwhile, the undefeated Plant beat Caleb Truax earlier this year and is now ready for a major milestone.

Terence Crawford vs. Shawn Porter

November 20 – Michelob Ultra Arena, Las Vegas

Undefeated welterweight star Crawford will make his long-awaited return at the end of November when he takes on fellow American Porter.

Crawford beat Kell Brook a year ago and has been out of the ring ever since.

Now, he will again put his WBO belt on the line against Porter.

‘Showtime’ bounced back from their loss to Errol Spence Jr by knocking out Sebastian Formella in August 2020.

Now the two will face off in Vegas in a tantalizing welterweight showdown.

Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Richard Commey

December 11 – Madison Square Garden, New York

Lomachenko was last seen cheering on Usyk for his win over AJ, but he’s almost ready to come back into the spotlight himself.

Loma lost to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020 which ended his reign as lightweight champion and he is eager to return to the top of the sport once again.

He beat Masayoshi Nakatani over the summer and won’t be heading to the iconic Madison Square Garden to face Commey.

Lomachenko will have to put on a show as he envisions a big year in 2022.

Josh Taylor vs. Jack Catterall

December 18 – SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow

Undefeated and undisputed welterweight champion Taylor will face fellow Briton in the first defense of his world titles.

Taylor defeated Jose Ramirez to add the WBC and WBO belts to his WBA (Super), IBF and The Ring titles.

Now he’ll be back in the square circle to take on the undefeated Catterall.

“El Gato” won 26 rebound fights and beat Abderrazak Houya last time around, but he will have to take his game to another level to challenge Taylor.

It should be exciting as the ‘Tartan Tornado’ returns to Scotland just before the start of the holiday season.