5 Burning Questions for Boxing in 2026
Read Time:9 Minute, 17 Second
Boxing enters 2026 at a crossroads. The sport has faced a turbulent few years, from the rise of influencer-driven events to the growing dominance of streaming platforms. Throw in the debut of Zuffa Boxing, and that promises to shake things up even further.
With debates over matchmaking, fighter pay, and the shift away from traditional TV, fans and insiders alike are asking the same question… What is next for the sweet science?
In this edition of 5 Burning Questions, we break down the most pressing issues facing boxing in 2026. How can the sport rebound after a rocky 2025? What impact will new promotional players have? Which matchups do fans most want to see? Let’s talk about it:
#1. After a tough 2025, how can boxing bounce back and avoid another down year in 2026?
Lee: As fans, we often point to boxing politics, questionable matchmaking, and mandatory opponents as factors that derail the sport in one way or another. That said, I wouldn’t agree that 2025 was a down year for boxing. There were several big fights and exciting cards throughout the year.
I’m not sure there’s an easy fix to make the sport feel as exciting as it did in 2024, especially since many top names did square off in 2025: Shakur vs. Zepeda, Haney vs. Norman Jr., Canelo vs. Crawford, Pacquiao vs. Barrios, Bivol vs. Beterbiev, and Eubank Jr. vs. Benn. Fighters like David Benavidez, Oleksandr Usyk, and Naoya Inoue were also active.
My biggest ongoing complaint has always been the lack of quality on boxing undercards. Too often, arenas are nearly empty during those fights, which is rarely the case at a UFC event. Spicing up the undercards, could go a long way in improving boxing as a live and broadcast viewing experience.
Evan: I’m on the polar opposite of this question. 2025 was undoubtedly a down year for boxing. While there were good fights as Lee listed above, there weren’t enough elite-level matchups in my opinion.
The Jake Paul-Mike Tyson event being the biggest of the year, was a prime example of what the year ultimately represented. It was filled with more spectacle than substance and the consistency of high stakes bouts just wasn’t the same as 2024. So there should be a refocusing on making the best fights possible, that matter most to the fans.
Turki Alalshikh needs to also stop putting every big matchup in Saudi Arabia. The atmosphere there just is nonexistent and it completely dilutes every event that they host. Continuing to take marquee fights out of their organic markets is only hurting the sport worldwide.
#2. With Zuffa Boxing debuting in January and major financial backing, what impact will it have on boxing in 2026?
Lee: With Turki Alalshikh and Dana White serving as the front men, Zuffa Boxing could emerge as a new platform for top boxers and rising prospects. Since the rise of the UFC, boxing has struggled to consistently capture mainstream attention.
With TKO’s involvement, there’s a real chance for a resurgence in the sport. Particularly in attracting younger viewers to a sport long associated with an older audience. Fighters would have more opportunities to earn meaningful pay, not just at the top of the card. Lesser-known names could become household stars.
Promotional politics have often hurt boxing, but aligning the sport more closely with the UFC model could make it more appealing and consistent in delivering marquee matchups.
Evan: I just once again don’t feel similarly or share the same sentiments as Lee here. Bringing the UFC structure and fighter pay model to boxing isn’t going to help it whatsoever. It’s actually going to create less opportunities for fighters to make money, while also putting them into restrictive contracts.
I also don’t really buy that Zuffa Boxing is going to make prospects into household names in an instant. The UFC themselves have struggled to create stars for years now. Given their recent matchmaking too to start off 2026, and the new Paramount era, where they completely bypassed any meritocracy to screw multiple fighters out of title shots. I feel it’s a bit presumptuous to believe they’ll just make big fights that make sense regularly, when they don’t even do that now in MMA.
I think Zuffa Boxing will start out as a place where young prospects can go to develop. However, if they’re able to get more established stars under their roster, it’s going to shift the power dynamics in the sport dramatically. Monopolizing boxing in the same way we’ve seen in MMA, isn’t something to be optimistic about.
#3. What matchups do you want to see the most in 2026?
Lee: First, my honorable mention would be Conor Benn vs. Jaron “Boots” Ennis in the welterweight division. The matchup I really want to see in 2026, however, is David Benavidez vs. Dmitry Bivol.
Benavidez moved up in weight with his sights set on becoming the undisputed light heavyweight champion. Fans may be growing tired of seeing Bivol and Artur Beterbiev clash. While those fights have been strong, a third meeting will always be there. Back in March, the WBC ordered Bivol to defend his title against mandatory challenger Benavidez.
“The Mexican Monster” could present the toughest challenge yet to Bivol’s style. Benavidez brings nonstop pressure, fast combinations, an ability to cut off the ring, and relentless cardio, elements that Beterbiev lacked in their matchups. Personally, I don’t think Bivol is in a rush to take this fight. But, it may be the best matchup boxing can offer in 2026.
Evan: So I’ve got many of the same fighters Lee has, but just have them in different matchups. As much as I’d love to see David Benavidez fight either Artur Beterbiev or Dmitry Bivol, I think the chances of it happening are as slim as ever. Especially now that David has confirmed he’ll be moving up to cruiserweight in the new year.
Ultimately though, that could set up an incredible fight between Benavidez and IBF/The Ring cruiserweight champion, Jai Opetaia. That’s one hell of a consolation prize if you ask me, in exchange for not getting those light heavyweight tilts. This would easily be one of the most fan friendly scraps in the sport and just a brutal stylistic clash. It might even end up being a more interesting matchup than Benavidez-Beterbiev or Benavidez-Bivol.
Jaron Ennis–Vergil Ortiz Jr. is another fight I’d absolutely love to see in 2026. I honestly think it’s possibly the best matchup you can make in all of boxing currently and one that the American market desperately needs. However, promoter politics could get in the way of making it happen, but this one should be a no brainer.
I’ve long believed Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez is the most talented boxer in the sport at the moment and think it would be incredible to see him take on Naoya Inoue or Junto Nakarani. But he’ll probably have to wait for those two to settle their long awaited score first, in what will be an amazing fight for Japanese boxing.
Last on my wish list would be to see Devin Haney face the Teofimo Lopez-Shakur Stevenson winner or rematch Ryan Garcia. As well as for Keyshawn Davis to get back on track this year, positioning himself to be included in that group again. American boxing will be greatly benefited by them all facing one another, sooner rather than later.
#4. With no major TV presence and few stars, how can American boxing turn things around in 2026?
Lee: Since the inception of PPV, boxing has slowly moved away from mainstream television. ESPN aired fights occasionally, but it no longer does. I believe the era of boxing on major networks is largely over.
While it’s a sad reality, a full shift to streaming isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Streaming is now the dominant way people consume TV. There’s simply too much money being invested by Netflix, DAZN, and other platforms in live sports to ignore boxing. With PPVs becoming more affordable, fans are also more willing to purchase the biggest fights.
Fights shown on Netflix at no additional cost, given the platform’s massive subscriber base, could introduce the sport to millions of new viewers. Boxing must continue to move forward. It will be interesting to watch how boxing broadcasts evolve.
Evan: I definitely think Lee is onto something with the fact that the new streaming takeover has impacted this. But I feel the biggest detriment to American boxing has been the Saudi led, sportswashing takeover of the sport. It has completely watered down the market here.
Turki Alalshikh’s continued insistence on hosting big matchups between American stars in Riyadh, instead of in the U.S., has undermined the sport’s growth tremendously. I also believe the Jake Paul-ification of boxing hasn’t helped much either.
There’s way more attention and money put into his circus act, than there is in actual high stakes bouts between real elite boxers. Steering away from the influencer led clown shows, also would be a positive sign going forward.
#5. After another KO loss, is Jake Paul’s run becoming harmful to boxing?
Lee: After getting his jaw broken by Anthony Joshua, Jake Paul stated that he will return in 2026. The former YouTuber turned boxer pushed back against the idea that the bout should be considered a “moral victory.”
With Paul and MVP Promotions, they’ve found some sort of secret sauce that allows them to consistently sell events and attract attention to their product. My stance has been that Paul’s boxing career has been more about entertainment than competitive ambition. Even with the claims that he wants to become a world champion.
However, after such a devastating loss, questions surrounding long-term safety and sustainability now dominate the conversation. The Joshua fight marked the biggest test of Paul’s boxing career to date. But it also served as confirmation that his journey may not be over.
Evan: I personally haven’t watched a Jake Paul fight in maybe five years now, and have zero interest talking about him. His entire boxing career has been a scam, grift, and farce. So while I do believe the air has been let out of the balloon with the Jake Paul experience, the sad reality is that he’s successfully convinced enough people into believing the loss to Joshua was ultimately a victory.
Between the attention his events generate and the people who indulge in them, Paul’s career is clearly going to continue. He’ll probably go back to facing more favorable matchups for himself, that he can sell to gullible fans or get shills to endorse.
The days of him competing against actual, capable boxers were shattered with his jaw in the Joshua bout. Unfortunately Jake’s charade will continue in 2026, but I do think his appeal is eroding faster than ever.
Happy
50 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
50 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
About Post Author
