Boxing News
Matchroom Boxing announce four new shows for 2026 including all-British rematch
Matchroom Boxing announce four new shows for 2026 including all-British rematch
Matchroom Boxing are ending 2025 strongly, playing a central role in Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn, with Shabaz Masoud vs Peter McGrail and the debut of Ben Whittaker to come before the clock strikes midnight on December 31, 2025. Matchroom have now announced four new shows for the start of 2026, including Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz on January 24, for Muratalla’s IBF lightweight title.
Matchroom Boxing announce four shows for early 2026 including Muratalla vs Cruz
On January 24, at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Matchroom Boxing’s Andy Cruz (6-0, 3 KOs) will challenge Raymond Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) for the IBF lightweight title. The Cuban was a decorated amateur who defeated Keyshawn Davis four times, and his transition into the professional ranks has been seamless under the guidance of Bozy Ennis.
Muratalla was last seen in action, defeating Zaur Abdullaev by unanimous decision to win the IBF interim lightweight title. He was later elevated to the full title after VasiliyLomachenko announced his retirement.
Murtazaliev vs Kelly
On January 31, at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, Josh Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) will gamble for greatness and face the heavy-handed IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs). Kelly has slowly rebuilt his career since losing to David Avanesyan in 2021. His wins over Ishmael Davis and Flavius Biea have led him back to Matchroom Boxing and this dangerous fight against Murtazaliev.
The heavy-handed Russian has not been seen since he blew away Tim Tszyu in three rounds on October 19, 2024. He’s a relentless fighter who throws every punch with intent. Kelly will need to be slick and pick his combinations at the right time, punching off Murtazaliev’s work.
Wood vs Warrington 2
On February 21 at the Nottingham Arena, Leigh Wood (28-4, 17 KOs) and Josh Warrington (32-4-1, 8 KOs) will do battle once again. Warrington was in front on all three scorecards in their first fight before being stopped by Wood. Since that fight in 2023, Warrington has lost to Anthony Cacace before defeating Asad Asif Khan earlier this year.
Wood was inactive for 17 months before losing to Cacace, meaning this rematch between the two feels like a last-chance saloon. The loser will surely head into retirement, with the winner maybe seeking another big fight.
Navarrete vs Nunez
The last fight announced by Matchroom Boxing is a potential firefight on February 28, with Emanuel Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) and Eduardo Nunez colliding in a WBO/IBF super featherweight dust-up. Since his surprise defeat to Denys Berinchyk, Navarrete has beaten Oscar Valdez, before his controversial no-contest against Charly Suarez, who has seemingly stepped aside and forgo his opportunity at the immediate rematch.
Nunez was last seen winning an entertaining fight against Christopher Diaz-Velez to retain his IBF strap. He was hurt in this fight but did score two knockdowns and deserved the unanimous decision success. Both fighters carry power, but are also vulnerable. This looks set to be a classic meet-in-the-middle and slug-it-out type of fight at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona.
Freelance Writer and Digital Marketer, spending most of his time waiting for Andy Cruz to win a world title. Also watches YouTube videos of Lennox Lewis fights on a daily basis.
