Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.<\/a><\/p>\n1. Australia boasts three male world champions<\/p>\n
OK, so Australian fighters may have endured enough hurdles this past year to be mistaken for Sally Pearson. But we\u2019re tipping our crew of biggest names will bounce back in spectacular fashion through 2026 — with no less than three men winning world titles. And with a whopping 19 Aussie sluggers ranked inside the top 15 from heavyweight to strawweight … well, the opportunities for big fights are everywhere.<\/p>\n
2. Jai Opetaia unifies, fights David Benavidez<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s cruiserweight king has spent three years being so avoided, his fight name could be switched to \u2018The Dentist\u2019. However this will be the year Opetaia finally lands the biggest bout of his career — against David Benavidez. Better, the showdown will happen in the back half of 2026 with both men each holding two cruiserweight straps and looking to become the division\u2019s undisputed king. Dead. Set. Slobberknocker. <\/p>\n
3. Jake Paul fights Israel Adesanya<\/p>\n
While he may still be eating his meals through a plastic straw, there\u2019s no doubting Jake Paul\u2019s boxing appeal — especially after 33 million fans tuned in to watch his jaw get busted by Anthony Joshua on Netflix. An effort too, which earned Paul $100 million. Same deal AJ … only he got to do the breaking. And find us a prizefighter outside Francis Ngannou wouldn\u2019t want in on that? Undeniably, Paul will be looking to hunt down at least two big names in 2026. So why not Adesanya? Apart from being a two-time UFC champ, and one of MMA\u2019s most famous strikers, The Last Stylebender also boasts a social media following measured in millions. Oh yeah, he also fights about 7kg lighter than Paul, a natural cruiserweight. <\/p>\n
AJ stops Paul with 6th round KO | 02:12<\/p>\n
4. Dana White to make a splash<\/p>\n
While the goalposts may continually be shifting around exactly how it will all look, there\u2019s no doubt Dana White will have made plenty of headlines a year from now in his new life as a boxing promoter. Apart from gifting a whole cast of young prospects the \u2018UFC treatment\u2019, White\u2019s Zuffa Boxing machine will also be involved in at least one massive event like Canelo-Crawford.<\/p>\n
5. Tim Tszyu lands another megafight<\/p>\n
To borrow a line from Mark Twain, reports of Tim Tszyu\u2019s death have been greatly exaggerated. While he may have lost three consecutive title fights Stateside, we\u2019re tipping The Soul Taker \u2013 sorry, Phoenix \u2013 to go on a 2026 tear that culminates with him landing a massive name. And yes, it will happen with Tszyu as the B-side this time. But given his own surname and previous gladiatorial efforts Stateside, Tszyu has the ability to rise back to the top far quicker than others in his position. <\/p>\n
Tim Tszyu eyeing World Title shot | 01:49<\/p>\n
6. Paul Gallen agrees to fight Nelson Asofa-Solomona<\/p>\n
Yes, yes, yes, we know Gal has now retired \u2013 twice — from the Australian fight scene. But who doesn\u2019t love bagfuls of cash? Which is why there is absolutely no doubting Gal, at 44 \u2013 and fresh off beating SBW \u2013 will be asked about going around one more time against yet another aggressive acronym, NAS. If it lands, the bout will almost certainly outsell even Gal\/SBW. Yet should the challenge not eventuate as we\u2019ve tipped, we\u2019ll take a saver expect: No Limit\u2019s newest crossover star gets fast-tracked into an Australian heavyweight title shot.<\/p>\n
7. Nikita Tszyu earns US debut<\/p>\n
So for this one to happen Tszyu must first beat Michael Zerafa. Which is a long way from being guaranteed. But if it happens? Well, after years spent living in big brother\u2019s shadow, we\u2019re tipping the youngest Tszyu sibling to become a genuine Aussie sports star in every sense. Better, there\u2019s a strong chance the Butcher will headline one more time in Australia before then making his American debut. Already, Nikita sits at No.6 in the IBF super welterweight division. And should he whoop Zerafa? We expect it will do for him what Jeff Horn\u2019s scalp did for brother Tim six years ago. <\/p>\n
Tszyu vs Zerafa | Face Off | 25:50<\/p>\n
8. George Rose v Eddie Hearn<\/p>\n
Fresh off starring in his own Netflix documentary, Eddie Hearn is headed Down Under in 2026 and has already announced his eagerness to make some big fights with Australia\u2019s No.1 promoter No Limit, including a blockbuster 5V5 showcase. Exactly where it all goes? Who knows? But the Rose boys have already declared themselves open to the 5V5 idea, which they first discussed with Hearn in a UK bar over several drinks three years ago. <\/p>\n
9. Global boxing embraces AJ<\/p>\n
Undeniably, things will never be the same again for UK boxing superstar Anthony Joshua, who was this week involved in a Nigerian car accident that tragically claimed two of his closest friends\u2019 lives. In the days leading up to the horrific incident, all talk had been about AJ finally throwing down in a 2026 megafight — his long awaited Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury. Those conversations are now silenced, perhaps temporarily, perhaps forever, as Joshua grieves and begins what will undoubtedly be a tough road back. In fact, the only real guarantee is that whatever his choice moving forward, the popular Englishman will do so with support from fight fans the world over. <\/p>\n
AJ sent to hospital after fatal crash | 00:53<\/p>\n
10. Liam Paro to become a two-division world champion<\/p>\n
Sure, things have become a little, err, convoluted for Paro, whose impending IBF eliminator was cancelled this week after Irishman Paddy Donovan withdrew due to illness. Exactly how the Mackay slugger now gets to UK champ Lewis Crocker is all up in the air. Regardless, we\u2019re backing everything to be worked through, and the Queenslander to get it done. And should Paro win gold in the first half of 2026 … well, there\u2019s an outside chance he could then double down with an all-Australian showcase against George Kambosos.<\/p>\n
11. Inoue becomes five-division champion, P4P King <\/p>\n
Already boasting Japan\u2019s greatest reign of terror outside Godzilla, expect Naoya Inoue to continue his marauding ways in 2026. First up, we\u2019ll tip Monster to beat Junto Nakatani in what shapes as one of the greatest fights that can be made anywhere on planet earth right now. From there, Inoue will again move up, and again win gold \u2013 potentially against England\u2019s WBA featherweight king Nick Ball. As a result of all this, Inoue will also become boxing\u2019s Pound For Pound king. <\/p>\n
Inoue v Picasso: Full Fight Highlights | 07:44<\/p>\n
12. Sam Goodman looks to make good on mate\u2019s tattoo<\/p>\n
If all of the above plays out with Naoya Inoue, the super bantamweight division will suddenly have four vacated titles — three of which Australia\u2019s Goodman is in the rankings to fight for. And given his outstanding performance when challenging up a division for Nick Ball\u2019s WBA strap last August, you\u2019d have to think the Central Coast fighter is short odds for a shot in his own weight class. Which, in turn, gives Goodman the chance to finally make good on that tattoo inked onto a family friend\u2019s forearm, reading: \u2018Sam Goodman, super bantamweight world champion\u2019.<\/p>\n
13. Harry Garside retires<\/p>\n
While it pains us to write this one, we\u2019re expecting the Olympic bronze medallist to step away from the sport this year to pursue all those other opportunities now coming his way, and without the accompanying head trauma. <\/p>\n
14. Usyk fights on<\/p>\n
Sure, like Garside, the world\u2019s greatest heavyweight also seems a perfect fit for Dancing With The Stars. Especially if his social media grooving is anything to go by. Regardless, we think Oleksandr Usyk will drag out his fighting farewell tour for longer than this year, having one huge fight in 2026 — with Deontay Wilder now the frontrunner — before then finally cashing out, still undefeated, late in 2027.<\/p>\n
15. Callum Peters wins gold<\/p>\n
Already considered Australia\u2019s most exciting fight prospect, Callum Peters will continue his rise and rise by winning gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Despite suffering a shock first round loss at the World Boxing Championships in September, the 23-year-old who is also undefeated in five pro bouts will go one better than his silver four years ago in Birmingham, England.<\/p>\n
Callum Peters punches Cody Beekin. (Photo by Matt King\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
16. Australia\u2019s unluckiest fighter becomes champ, again<\/p>\n
He\u2019s been robbed twice in title fights, prematurely retired and as recently as August spent weeks waiting, unsuccessfully, for a fight in Mexico. But in 2026 we\u2019re tipping the nation\u2019s unluckiest fighter — Andrew Moloney \u2013 to become world champion again. Currently, the Aussie is said to be next in line for IBF junior bantamweight Willibaldo Garcia. Of course, given Moloney\u2019s history, even this isn\u2019t without drama — with Garcia\u2019s December defence against Kenshiro Teraji cancelled after the champ fell ill following weigh ins. You also have the small matter of \u2018Bam\u2019 Rodriguez wanting to unify. Regardless, we\u2019re tipping Moloney will not only get first shot at Garcia, but win \u2013 creating one of the sport\u2019s greatest feelgood yarns. <\/p>\n
17. Fights for Francis Ngannou, Manny Pacquiao & Floyd Mayweather<\/p>\n
Look, we won\u2019t even try to guess how it all plays out, but we do expect three of combat sports\u2019 biggest names to all have fights sometime in 2026. As of this week, Pacquiao is back in talks with Mayweather, who is also being linked to an exhibition against Mike Tyson, 59. Although just on that latter one, we\u2019d prefer to opt out and let Iron Mike fight on only in our memories and old Youtube clips. Ngannou, meanwhile, is now at the back end of his latest MMA deal and surely kicking himself after rejecting a December showdown against Jake Paul. With the UFC seemingly ruled out forever, Ngannou will return to the boxing ring in some form. <\/p>\n
18. The tag of Australian boxing queen becomes a big deal<\/p>\n
Incredibly, Australia heads into the new year with four women holding world titles \u2013 and all of them keen to be cemented as the nation\u2019s fight queen. Currently, the clubhouse leader is Cherneka Johnson, who boasts all four bantamweight straps and could be headed for a showdown with fellow Aussie Ebonie Bridges, who returns to the sport this weekend after becoming a mum. Next comes the Aussie middleweights who could also potentially throw down for a third time, with Desley Robinson the IBF and WBO champ while Kaye Scott owns WBC gold. Elsewhere, Skye Nicolson is also the interim WBC super bantamweight champ and chasing undisputed herself against Ellie Scotney. A case of watch this space.<\/p>\n
Aussie Kaye Scott crowned World Champ! | 01:06<\/p>\n
19. Liam Wilson to fight Navarrete rematch<\/p>\n
It\u2019s now been almost three years since Liam Wilson was sensationally robbed of a world title against Mexican superstar Emanual Navarrete \u2013 and via that unforgettable \u201827 second count\u2019 in Arizona. But with Mr Damage having again pushed up into the No.3 challenger spot for the WBO super featherweight king, we\u2019re tipping promoters No Limit land the Queenslander his long-awaited rematch.<\/p>\n
20. Big boys go bang<\/p>\n
Following his heartbreaking loss to now WBO heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley, expect Justis Huni to bounce back into world title contention in 2026, while Matchroom also ramp things up for undefeated Aussie prospect Teremoana Jnr via fights of increasing intensity. Domestically too, fans can expect an unofficial tournament of sorts to find a clear heavyweight \u2018king\u2019 from a list including, but not limited to, Liam Talivaa, Stevan Ivic, Demsey McKean, Toese Vousiutu, Alex Leapai Jnr, even Nelson Asofa-Solomona.<\/p>\n
21. Ahmad Reda to get ranked at super featherweight<\/p>\n
Bit of a smokey this one, but look for undefeated Sydney prospect Ahmad Reda to have immediate success following his decision to drop two weight classes and campaign as a super featherweight in 2026. Still only 22, Reda has started his career on a run of eight straight wins and the Sydneysider\u2019s team are quietly confident of taking him into the top 15 by the end of this year. <\/p>\n
Ahmad Reda punches Wayne Telepe. (Photo by Matt King\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
22. No Limit\u2019s caravan hits the road<\/p>\n
We\u2019re hearing Australia\u2019s No.1 promoter is keen to take its travelling roadshow into some new locations in what shapes as a bumper year, with venues being discussed including Perth, Adelaide, Townsville, and Tasmania. There is also talk of Melbourne fans getting a massive pay-per-view headliner.<\/p>\n
23. Green\/Mundine back in the headlines<\/p>\n
While the fight won\u2019t happen anytime soon, there\u2019s no doubting the chatter is set to build around a showdown between the sons of longtime Australian rivals Danny Green and Anthony Mundine. While Green is training son Archie, 17, for his anticipated boxing debut \u2013 which will definitely create plenty of storylines — Choc\u2019s son Rahim is already undefeated in two professional bouts. And for an idea of what said fight could be worth, consider Chris Eubank Jnr and Conor Benn \u2013 themselves the sons of fierce British rivals \u2013 made a reported $40 million for each of their two 2025 sold out London stadium showdowns. <\/p>\n
24. Beterbiev, Bivol … and Bam<\/p>\n
If we\u2019re tipping Jai Opetaia to land a superfight against David Benavidez, we have to double down and suggest the trilogy gets made between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev. Having already won a fight each, one last chance to determine a winner would make for compulsory viewing. And when it comes to big names, expect Bam Rodriguez to also continue his undefeated reign of terror by again moving up to become champion in a third weight class. <\/p>\n
25. Underdog Aussie snares title shot<\/p>\n
Wonderfully, for boxing fans Down Under, there\u2019s a host of fighters not mentioned above who are in and around the top of their respective weight classes and capable of landing huge bouts across 2026 \u2013 including the likes of Jason Moloney, Jackson Jon England, Mateo Tapia, WBC Grand Prix winner Dylan Biggs, even adopted Aussie Conor Wallace. <\/p>\n
26. Aussie UFC star crosses over \u2026 with Zac Lomax<\/p>\n
Another roughie to finish off our list, but with several of Australia\u2019s biggest UFC stars now in the twilight of outstanding MMA careers, we wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see someone like Rob Whittaker or Tai Tuivasa take a massive crossover fight at the end of this year or sometime early in 2027. And we\u2019ll add exiled NRL star Zac Lomax into what will be a big-paying multi as well \u2026 with the former NSW Origin star not only keen to throw hands, but no slouch at doing exactly that. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Australia will have three male world champions, Tim Tszyu will continue to rebuild his career and a current…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":347355,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[41],"tags":[2560,101,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-347354","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-boxing","8":"tag-boxing","9":"tag-sports","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347354","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=347354"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/347354\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/347355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=347354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=347354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=347354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
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