Boxing World Gears Up for Action-Packed Start to 2026 with High-Profile Championship Bouts

Exciting Year Ahead for Boxing Fans

The boxing world is buzzing with anticipation as 2026 kicks off with a stellar lineup of championship fights that promise to captivate fans worldwide. With multiple title defences, unification bouts, and high-stakes showdowns scheduled in the coming weeks, the sport is poised to deliver unforgettable moments that will shape the year ahead.

Headline Bout: Lopez vs Stevenson at Madison Square Garden

The current highlight of the schedule is the Jan. 31 clash between WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez and three-division champion Shakur Stevenson. This highly anticipated matchup at Madison Square Garden has been described as an early candidate for Fight of the Year, pitting Brooklyn’s two-division champion Lopez against Newark’s undefeated Stevenson in what promises to be an electrifying encounter.

The sixth installment of The Ring also touts an impressive undercard including undefeated Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KO’s) vs. Jamaine Ortiz (20-2, 10 KO’s) in the co-main event, Carlos Adames (24-1, 18 KO’s) vs. Austin Williams (19-1 13 KO’s) for the WBC World Middleweight Title, Bruce Carrington (16-0, 9 KO’s) vs. Carlos Castro (30-3, 14 KO’s) for the vacant WBC featherweight Championship, ensuring fans get exceptional value throughout the evening.

Women’s Boxing Takes Centre Stage

Women’s boxing continues to gain momentum with several significant bouts scheduled. The legendary Amanda Serrano (47-4, 31 KO’s) returns to her home of Puerto Rico to defend her Unified WBA and WBO Featherweight World Titles against undefeated prospect Reina Tellez (13-0, 5 KO’s) in a 10-round bout that will be fought over the men’s distance of three-minute rounds. Additionally, Claressa Shields is set to defend her undisputed heavyweight championship in Detroit on 22 February.

Looking Ahead: A Promising Future for Boxing

Whatever phrase (or song) helps you move on is the one to cling to now, as 2026 beckons and the unfinished business of 2025 is something to be freed of as a new year, a fresh start and exciting opportunities await us and the sport of boxing. With major fights featuring both established champions and rising stars, alongside discussions of potential heavyweight showdowns including Oleksandr Usyk’s planned title defence, 2026 promises to be a landmark year for boxing enthusiasts. The sport’s continued growth on streaming platforms ensures these compelling matchups will reach audiences worldwide, cementing boxing’s position in the modern sporting landscape.