Boxing appears poised for another big year in 2026.
From one of the best fights that could be made, Naoya Inoue versus Junto Nakatani, seemingly next, to the multitude of title fights on January 31 that will have a ripple effect throughout the sport, and other rumored high-profile fights, the boxing landscape could look significantly different by year’s end.
Joining us to break down some of the key questions heading into 2026 are The Ring’s Manouk Akopyan, Mosope Ominiyi, Declan Taylor and Hans Themistode. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.
Who do you think emerges as the top guy at 168 pounds?
Mo: Hamzah Sheeraz will be the top guy at 168 pounds because, for one, the weight class is packed with guys who can’t negate his size and physical tools as well as Carlos Adames managed, though Sheeraz was weight-drained and injured. And the others — namely Diego Pacheco, Jaime Munguia and a post-prime Jermall Charlo — aren’t subtle enough not to get caught when trading with him. Osleys Iglesias is dangerous, but he hasn’t fought anyone elite yet and has defensive flaws that could leave him susceptible against harder punchers.
Declan: Haters will say this is UK bias, but it’s hard to look past Ilford, East London’s very own Hamzah Sheeraz. He was dead at middleweight, and it showed against Carlos Adames, but he gave us all a glimpse of how he will operate with another eight pounds to play with when he crushed Edgar Berlanga. The partnership with Andy Lee looks like a perfect match and it will only get stronger with each camp. If I had to buy stock in any of the current super middles, I’m putting it all into Sheeraz.
Manouk: Osleys Iglesias has already emerged as the boogeyman of the division, and over the next 18 months, he should go on a run taking on all comers — if they’re willing to fight him. It seems like the crafty Cuban power-puncher’s first crack at a crown is going to come via the IBF route. By winning a world title, it should be all systems go for Iglesias to be a super middleweight shot caller.
Hans: Having a world title means something. But sometimes, there are fighters who don’t possess championship hardware who are simply destined to be the man for years to come.
Meet Osleys Iglesias.
He’s highly ranked with most sanctioning bodies, and more importantly, he simply looks the part. Anything Iglesias touches turns to dust. With Terence Crawford retired and not truly a 168-pounder, David Benavidez and David Morrell at 175 pounds, and Canelo Alvarez seemingly past his best, Iglesias will run the super middleweight division. Hamzah Sheeraz will have a say in that, but in the end, I think Iglesias will be the last man standing.
Which fight do you want to see the most in 2026?
Do I need to say anymore? We’ve been patiently waiting for this since both were welterweight contenders back in 2021, so now after their interim fights, time to strike while the iron is hot.
Declan: Can I give you two? I’ll give you two.
First, probably what we all agree is the best available fight in boxing: Jaron Ennis against Vergil Ortiz. Fingers crossed for that one.
The other is at heavyweight. While I believe WBO champion Fabio Wardley is more deserving of his shot at Oleksandr Usyk, I really want to see The Ring champion from Ukraine face young prodigy Moses Itauma before 2026 – and potentially Usyk’s career — is out.
Manouk: David Benavidez vs. Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez deserves a career-defining fight, much like Bivol received in 2022, when he beat Canelo Alvarez. Benavidez, 29, should be fighting at the peak of his powers for another couple years, and Bivol, 35, will be best inclined not to age himself too much before an encounter that could be a potential changing of the guard at 175 pounds.
Hans: David Benavidez vs. Jai Opetaia.
With Benavidez insisting on heading up in weight, his supposed matchup with Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez isn’t incredibly fascinating to me. Ramirez is good, but Benavidez is great.
For the last few years, Opetaia has been viewed as the clear-cut best cruiserweight in the world. He brings an aggressive style and boxes beautifully from the outside. Benavidez is all blood and guts. This is the sort of fight that will make fans scream joyfully if it happens in 2026.
Which prospect are you most excited to see take the next step in his career?
Mo: Giorgio Visioli. He won well against Joe Howarth for the English title last month, but he still got hit too much in his first 10-rounder. Lightweight needs a jolt on British shores and he has the ingredients to provide that. Just needs the right matchmaking to bridge that gap.
Declan: Can we still describe 21-year-old Moses Itauma, after only 13 fights, as a prospect? Probably not. But if we can, it’s him. We’ve seen enough of him chinning people inside a couple of rounds, so the step up to that next level, where people like Joseph Parker and Filip Hrgovic lie in wait, will be a fascinating one.
Sticking in that division, another man who I’m keeping a close eye on is Teremoana Teremoana, who is so good they named him twice. The Australian has got sleep in both hands, so I’m interested to see how he gets on once the standard of his opponents improves.
Manouk: Lightweight phenom Curmel Moton has been described as a generational talent by some of the industry’s most astute observers. The 19-year-old is backed by Floyd Mayweather Jr. and has already been compared to carrying similar talent inside the ring as Gervonta Davis. Now he needs to get active so his stock can skyrocket even further. Fighting twice in a year, like he did in 2025, won’t do him any favors in making the leap from a can’t-miss prospect into the decorated multi-weight world champion many believe that he can be.
Hans: Curmel Moton. I’m not sure what Mayweather Promotions is doing with him. The kid has next-level talent and could be fighting for a title if he gets fast-tracked, something I support with a bit more experience. However, he needs activity.
Usually, prospects fight often. In the case of Moton, he fought just twice in 2025. He hasn’t been injured, either. I think 2026 will be a busy year for him. And if it is, he’ll make some serious waves.
Who is a fighter that is flying under the radar that you believe can become a household name this year?
Mo: Pierce O’Leary. We’ve been hearing plenty from the Queensberry machine since 2022 and been waiting a while, though he hasn’t really had the same shine as BOXXER-backed Adam Azim, who is two years younger and boxing better opposition comparatively. But his fight with Mark Chamberlain on March 14 will tell us just how good he is (and can be) at junior welterweight, which just got a new champion Saturday night in Britain’s Dalton Smith.
Declan: If you can still describe Ben Whittaker as flying under the radar, then he is the logical answer here. His profile is already reasonably high and he headlined on DAZN in his last outing, but he is still miles off his incredibly high ceiling. This year, in particular, will be huge for him. He’s set to make his U.S. debut in the spring and then headline his biggest fight yet back in the UK in the summer. By then, the likes of Bivol and Beterbiev will be a year closer to the end and Whittaker will be approaching 30 and perfectly placed for an assault on the world title picture.
Manouk: Agit Kabayel competes in the sport’s glamour division and knocked out three top contenders in a row before he stopped previously unbeaten Damian Knyba on Saturday night. The Ring’s No. 2-rated heavyweight contender should continue to get top-tier names if the wins keep coming. And if Oleksandr Usyk is inclined to give him an opportunity, Kabayel could break out with a massive upset. Kabayel is already shining as a star in Germany, and his profile will grow even further if he’s able to shock one of the greatest fighters of all time.
Hans: O’Shaquie Foster has always been good, but I think there’s always been a small section of the boxing community that wanted to know how good. Beating Stephen Fulton proved that Foster is a terrific fighter. But more than anything, Fulton is a popular fighter. Meaning, Foster’s performance had a few more eyeballs on it.
In 2026, Foster could become a unified champion if the right opportunities fall into his lap. He’s also repeatedly called out Shakur Stevenson. It just feels like a big fight could come knocking at Foster’s door this year. If it does and he performs like we know he can, the door to stardom could be flung open.
What are your thoughts on Naoya Inoue versus Junto Nakatani? Has it changed any after their fights on December 27?
Mo: Rudy Hernandez’s bold pre-fight claims almost backfired spectacularly on him in Riyadh. But honestly, my thoughts haven’t changed much. Inoue wins a points decision, but might be tempted to make it more exciting after consecutive 12-round shutouts for the first time in his career.
Declan: Like basically everyone else, I love the fight. There’s nothing like a domestic showdown that takes place at the elite level. For it to take place in the greatest era of Japanese boxing ever makes it extra special. However, I think we all saw on “The Ring V: Night of the Samurai” that Inoue is far more established at the weight (that was his eighth up at 122 pounds) and has to start as a significant favourite against a man who will be boxing at junior featherweight for only the second time. That’s not to say my opinion on the fight has necessarily changed, because I was picking Inoue anyway. But it certainly reinforced that view.
Manouk: It is still one of the best fights that can be made in boxing. Emerging as a winner from a difficult fight against Sebastian Hernandez was just what Nakatini needed to better prepare for what should be a grueling encounter against Inoue. A battle between these Japanese juggernauts will be one of the most anticipated fights that I’ve looked forward to over the last 10 years.
Hans: Let’s not be prisoners of the moment. Junto Nakatani didn’t look great against Sebastian Hernandez. Some, maybe even most, believe he lost. But Hernandez is a come-forward pressure fighter who will give hell to anyone. And you remember that old saying, right? Styles make fights.
Naoya Inoue fights nothing like Hernandez. When they finally meet up later this year, it’ll be a violent chess match and one that Nakatani can certainly win. Their fight will be one for the ages.
Who do you think will be No. 1 pound-for-pound by the end of 2026?
Mo: Assuming he hasn’t called it a day by then, having told Mike Coppinger he has two or three fights left, Oleksandr Usyk continues to reign supreme as No. 1. A destructive stoppage of a past-prime Deontay Wilder and another contender of his choosing will do that, while bolstering a heavyweight resume which continues to age well with time.
Declan: A year is a long time in boxing, but I actually don’t see much of a change at the top over the next 12 months. You’d have to expect Usyk to box twice, max, and you’d have to pick him to remain undefeated. Inoue may be more active and could win that Japanese mega fight against Junto Nakatani. But will it be enough to oust Usyk? Possibly. Either way, I reckon it will still be Usyk and Inoue occupying the top two spots.
Manouk: If the cards play out in his favor, David Benavidez could fight three times this year. The first fight is already on the calendar in May against WBA/WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto Ramirez. The remaining two bouts should hopefully feature a mix between either Artur Beterbiev, Dmitry Bivol, and Jai Opetaia. An undefeated 2026 campaign against any three of the aforementioned fighters should yield Benavidez the best calendar year so far in this century.
Hans: Terence Crawford. Call me skeptical, but I think he’s coming back. Now, against whom and in what weight class? I have no idea, but I think Crawford is simply too good to walk away right now. If I’m proven right and he does make his return, I believe he’ll regain his No. 1 pound-for-pound ranking. If he remains retired, I’ll revisit this question in 2027.