Boxing appears poised for another big year in 2026.<\/p>\n
From one of the best fights that could be made, Naoya Inoue versus Junto Nakatani<\/a>, 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\u2019s end. Who do you think emerges as the top guy at 168 pounds?<\/p>\n Mo: Hamzah Sheeraz<\/a> will be the top guy at 168 pounds because, for one, the weight class is packed with guys who can\u2019t negate his size and physical tools as well as Carlos Adames managed, though Sheeraz was weight-drained and injured. And the others \u2014 namely Diego Pacheco, Jaime Munguia and a post-prime Jermall Charlo \u2014 aren\u2019t subtle enough not to get caught when trading with him. Osleys Iglesias <\/a>is dangerous, but he hasn\u2019t fought anyone elite yet and has defensive flaws that could leave him susceptible against harder punchers.<\/p>\n Declan: Haters will say this is UK bias, but it\u2019s hard to look past Ilford, East London\u2019s 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\u2019m putting it all into Sheeraz.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 if they\u2019re willing to fight him. It seems like the crafty Cuban power-puncher\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Hans: Having a world title means something. But sometimes, there are fighters who don\u2019t possess championship hardware who are simply destined to be the man for years to come.<\/p>\n Meet Osleys Iglesias.<\/p>\n He\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Which fight do you want to see the most in 2026?<\/p>\n Mo: Jaron Ennis-Vergil Ortiz<\/a>.<\/p>\n Do I need to say anymore? We\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n Declan: Can I give you two? I\u2019ll give you two.<\/p>\n First, probably what we all agree is the best available fight in boxing: Jaron Ennis against Vergil Ortiz. Fingers crossed for that one.<\/p>\n 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 \u2013 and potentially Usyk\u2019s career \u2014 is out.<\/p>\n Manouk: David Benavidez vs. Dmitry Bivol<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Hans: David Benavidez vs. Jai Opetaia<\/a>.<\/p>\n With Benavidez insisting on heading up in weight, his supposed matchup with Gilberto \u201cZurdo\u201d Ramirez isn\u2019t incredibly fascinating to me. Ramirez is good, but Benavidez is great.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Which prospect are you most excited to see take the next step in his career?<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Declan: Can we still describe 21-year-old Moses Itauma, after only 13 fights, as a prospect? Probably not. But if we can, it\u2019s him. We\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n Sticking in that division, another man who I\u2019m keeping a close eye on is Teremoana Teremoana<\/a>, who is so good they named him twice. The Australian has got sleep in both hands, so I\u2019m interested to see how he gets on once the standard of his opponents improves.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t do him any favors in making the leap from a can\u2019t-miss prospect into the decorated multi-weight world champion many believe that he can be.<\/p>\n Hans: Curmel Moton<\/a>. I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n Usually, prospects fight often. In the case of Moton, he fought just twice in 2025. He hasn\u2019t been injured, either. I think 2026 will be a busy year for him. And if it is, he\u2019ll make some serious waves.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Who is a fighter that is flying under the radar that you believe can become a household name this year?<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Manouk: Agit Kabayel competes in the sport\u2019s glamour division<\/a> and knocked out three top contenders in a row before he stopped previously unbeaten Damian Knyba on Saturday night. The Ring\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Hans: O\u2019Shaquie Foster has always been good, but I think there\u2019s 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\u2019s performance had a few more eyeballs on it.<\/p>\n In 2026, Foster could become a unified champion if the right opportunities fall into his lap. He\u2019s also repeatedly called out Shakur Stevenson. It just feels like a big fight could come knocking at Foster\u2019s door this year. If it does and he performs like we know he can, the door to stardom could be flung open.<\/p>\n What are your thoughts on Naoya Inoue versus Junto Nakatani? Has it changed any after their fights on December 27?<\/p>\n
Joining us to break down some of the key questions heading into 2026 are The Ring<\/a>\u2019s Manouk Akopyan, Mosope Ominiyi, Declan Taylor and Hans Themistode. Without further ado, let\u2019s get right into it.<\/p>\n