Boxing
The heavyweight fighters ready to explode in 2026 might not be who you expect
DAZN
Published by Chris Oliver, Mark Lelinwalla, Andrew Steel, Chris Walker, Matt Astbury
Itauma vs Franklin: Subscribe to watch - Jan 24
The heavyweight division has been restored to its glory days in the last two years. Modern greats finally fighting each other, an undisputed king crowned (twice) , real characters, true rivalries, shocks, and explosives knockouts.
2026 is set to be another golden year for the glamour division with the promise of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua finally meeting, Oleksandr Usyk against Deontay Wilder teased, and the likes of Moses Itauma and Agit Kabayel looking to push their world title credentials to the next level.
The latter two are already in action in the first month of the year, with Kabayel fighting Damian Knyba on January 10, and Itauma facing Jermaine Franklin on January 24. Both are exclusive on DAZN subscription, along with another 185 fight nights this year on the home of boxing .
2026 could also be the final year we see AJ, Fury, Usyk and the likes fighting professionally. With great characters and fighers as these at the end of their careers, the heavyweight division is desperate for the next stars to emerge to take on the mantel and drive the sport forward.
The DAZN News experts have been debating who will be the rising heavyweight talents to truly grab his opportunity in 2026....
Queensberry/DAZNWhich heavyweight will emerge as a serious threat to the division in 2026?
Chris Oliver
Richard Riakporhe could be the surprise package at heavyweight.
Having received his sole career defeat when challenging Chris Billam-Smith for his cruiserweight title, ‘The Midnight Train’ has blown out Kevin Nicolas Espindola (RTD4) and Tommy Welch (TKO2) in two fights since stepping up to the glamour division.
He has a huge frame at 6’5” and heavyweight is probably where he should have been fighting all along, so he looks capable of making serious waves if getting the right opponents in 2026.
Mark Lelinwalla
Moses Itauma passes every eye test with each stirring performance. Now, it's only a matter of time and opportunity.
There is nothing stopping the 20-year-old phenom from continuing to rise in the ranks and become a serious threat to the division and its crown holders.
Matt Astbury
It’s quite difficult to pick out a name that already isn’t a serious threat, for example Moses Itauma or Agit Kabayel.
But if I was to pick one it would be Richard Riakporhe. Since moving to heavyweight in May, he has been destructive, winning both fights by way of knockout or stoppage, and it has set up what could be a big 2026.
With the British heavyweight division one full of talent, Riakporhe will be hoping to secure some major matchups, and if he can get through these tests, then he will become a serious force in boxing’s glamour division.
Chris Walker
Joshua Edwards will not reach world level next year, but he will create a buzz and create a platform for himself to make 2027 his year.5-0 with five stoppages.
Edwards is moving along nicely and, with Golden Boy putting their money behind him, Edwards is definitely one to watch.
Andrew Steel
There's no real contest on this one - Moses Itauma is the heavyweight most likely to trouble the top of the tree going forward in 2026, with plenty of punching power.
Fabio Wardley may be the newly minted champion, but his countryman could likely follow in his heels soon - possibly even by dethroning him at some opportunity too.
It's still too soon, frankly, to throw Itauma in against Usyk - but there's other big names in the mix who will surely be on the chopping block for him to tackle first.
Watch Itauma vs. Franklin with a DAZN subscription
Raising star Moses Itauma faces his toughest test yet against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday, January 24, as part of the Queensberry Magnificent 7 fight card. Watch exclusively with DAZN a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
