With the current heavyweight division being an ever-changing landscape, here at Boxing Social we take a look at the three fights the heavyweight division in 2026 must deliver for fight fans around the world.
The heavyweight division is in the best shape it has been in for a long time. The entrance of His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh and the Saudi Public Investment Fund has changed everything. Boxing fans deserve these fights in 2026.
Number One – The Battle of Britain
Long dubbed the Battle of Britain, Anthony Joshua versus Tyson Fury is a must-see attraction in the heavyweight division. Both men are said to have warm-up fights in the interim before the old British classic can get going.
Joshua is set to face Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Prenga carries a 20-1 record with 20 knockouts. The Gypsy King, meanwhile, will fight in Dublin on August 1. He is set to be added to a Queensberry Promotions card headlined by Pierce O’Leary versus Mark Chamberlain at the 3Arena. Both men still have a lot of work to do before they can go head to head.
Number Two – Fabio Wardley versus Daniel Dubois: The Rematch
These two took part in what many consider a Fight of the Year contender on May 9 at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester. The WBO Heavyweight Championship of the World was on the line. Dubois climbed off the canvas twice in the opening three rounds. He eventually stopped Wardley in the 11th round to claim the WBO heavyweight title. Many see it as a defining night for the young Brit.
Wardley holds a rematch clause in his contract. Queensberry Promotions chairman Frank Warren has confirmed it is in place. Wardley is set to trigger it — giving us another potential Fight of the Year contender towards the back end of 2026.
Number Three – Oleksandr Usyk versus Agit Kabayel
Following his win over Rico Verhoeven, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Kabayel remains the mandatory challenger. “Kabayel versus Usyk is next,” Sulaiman said. The unbeaten German carries a 27-0 record with 19 knockouts. He also holds the WBC interim heavyweight title. Usyk had a surprisingly tough night against former kickboxing world champion Rico Verhoeven. Verhoeven was ahead on the scorecards going into the 11th round before a controversial stoppage ended the fight. Is Usyk versus Kabayel now the most intriguing fight that can be made in the current heavyweight division?
