Best Boxing Matches To Make in 2026

2025 put out some great super fights that should set the stage for an even better showing in 2026. From bouts like Canelo Alvarez vs. Terrence Crawford, Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev II, and Connor Benn vs. Chris Eubank Jr., boxing definitely took a step towards leaving behind an era of soup cans, ducking and cherry picking.

This year, we should see that momentum carry on as there are some exciting bouts on the horizon and a few more that promoters need to make before the year has ended.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the biggest fights that boxing fans want to see in 2026, and matchups that have a real shot at happening. Although we can’t predict how promoters will handle this year, there’s potential for these bouts taking place in 2026. No, this list doesn’t include celebrity boxing match between Jake Paul or Floyd Mayweather Jr.  

Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani

This matchup would be the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history. And, it would be one of the best fights that the sport could make in 2026.

The great thing about this potential matchup is that both men want this fight and there have been preliminary discussions about when they would meet.

Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) is, in my opinion, the pound-for-pound top fighter in the sport today. Sure, Usyk and Crawford have a claim for that crown, as well. However, neither of those men fight at the same frequency as Inoue does. “Monster” continues to clean out entire divisions and leave a wake of undisputed titles behind.

Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs) has moved up to super bantamweight to chase down a fight with Inoue since the latter has already run roughshod through the bantamweight division. Although he’s behind Inoue in all rankings, Nakatani is also a Top 10 pound-for-pound ranked fighter.

The younger Nakatani believes that his time is now, to dethrone Inoue. The latter feels that the next two years will be his peak. A bout between these two inside the Tokyo Dome would be one of the sport’s greatest spectacles in quite some time.

As of this writing, Inoue is a -550 favorite over the +340 underdog in Nakatani. Sportsbooks are already chomping at the bit for this bout.

Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev III

These two light heavyweight superstars have fought each other twice with both men picking up a victory. Their first encounter took place in October 2024, Artur Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) won that bout via majority decision. The rematch was held in February 2025, and Dmitry Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) came away with his own MD victory.

So, both men handed the other their first professional loss. Additionally, both fights ended via razor thin majority decisions.

Although Bivol needed back surgery last summer, he should be able to compete this year. Reports suggest that he’s looking for two bouts with a bigger one taking place late in 2026.

The only big fight that Bivol can make is a trilogy bout with Beterbiev. And, the great part is that both men want a third bout for all of the glory.

The hope is that whomever wins the trilogy fight, that he would go on to face David Benevidez in what would be a thrilling showdown. In fact, Beterbiev’s style would make for an epic war with Benevidez.

Gervonta Davis vs Lamont Roach II

The last time that Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) stepped inside the boxing ring, he fought Lamont “The Reaper” Roach (25-1-3) in March 2025. The bout ended in a highly controversial majority draw where many pundits and fans believed that Roach had won.

Roach would go on to battle Isaac Cruz in December 2025, and that bout also ended in a questionable majority draw where most pundits felt that The Reaper had won. Davis has been battling issues outside of the ring.

Yet, when Tank is ready to step back inside the ring this year, it should be in a rematch with Roach. First, Davis owes fight fans a performance worthy of his so-called greatness.

Both men initially expressed a rematch after that questionable outcome. However, Davis has seemingly backed away from this since then. He was supposed to fight Jake Paul last November, but a lawsuit against Tank prevented that bout from happening.

It’s unclear what Davis will do in 2026. However, a rematch against Roach should be mandatory since both men need this bout to move on in their respective careers.

Shakur Stevenson vs Devin Haney

This bout has been rumored for some time. Unfortunately, fight fans have been left with little reasons as to why it hasn’t come to fruition. 2026 could be the year that these two talented American fighters finally meet inside the ring to end their feud and provide the sport with an incredible showdown where boxing skills, IQ, and athleticism are on full display.

Devin Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) is the WBO welterweight champ and last fought in late November, when he defeated the unbeaten Brian Norman Jr. via unanimous decision. The victory also meant that Haney became a three-division world champion.

Shakur Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) is set to face Teofimo Lopez for the super lightweight title. Stevenson is moving up from hist lightweight reign to challenge for Lopez’s title. This is a big move for one of the sport’s most talented fighters.

The winner of this Lopez-Stevenson fight could end up drawing Haney’s attention for a massive fight later this year. There are also speculations that this bout could also get Davis’s attention, as well.

When it comes to American boxing, a Stevenson vs. Haney fight is one that needs to happen for the sport and for the fans. And, we could be just one step away from it happening.

Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse Rodriguez

We’re bookending this list with another Inoue matchup that would make for an epic clash of styles and quite possibly the most entertaining bout on this list.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (23-0 16 KOs) is the youngest fighter on most pound-for-pound rankings. ESPN has him ranked 5th. He just added the WBA belt to his junior bantamweight collection of titles and has quickly become one of the best fighters in the sport. And, he’s accomplished this at just 26-years-old.

Additionally, he’s a boxer that Inoue has publicly commented on, especially regarding the prospects of facing Rodriguez in the ring. Monster stated that he would love to face him.

Of course, Bam would have to move up to 122 pounds to fight Inoue, but that shouldn’t be an issue. There’s talk of Rodriguez trying to unify the 115-pound division before moving up to 118 pounds and chasing after more titles. Yet, that could all change if he gets the call to face Inoue next.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is pushing for a bout between these two men later this year. The stars are aligning for an Inoue-Nakatani fight in the first half of 2026.

Yet, Inoue is not a fighter who competes just once a year. So, another mega-matchup would be something that Monster could sink his teeth into before 2026 ends. And, this is a bout that boxing fans around the world are definitely salivating over.

If you’re interested in betting on boxing in 2026, start by tracking the matchup details, not the hype. These boxing betting tips can help: watch the odds early, but place most of your action during fight week when lines tighten and better information is available. Focus on styles, pace, and judges’ tendencies, shop for the best number across sportsbooks, and look for value in method-of-victory, or decision props when the matchup supports it. With a year full of potential super fights, discipline and line value will matter just as much as picking the right fighter.