Boxing
Boxing's holiday wish list: Five fights we want for the New Year
Ring V: Inoue vs Picasso on DAZN PPV - Saturday
We cannot always get what we want, but we can always hold out hope.
With the festive season upon us, DAZN News shares its holiday wish list for five fights we want to see in the New Year.
Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani
JIJI Press / AFP) / Japan OUT (Photo by STR/JIJI Press/AFP via Getty Images
The stage is set. If Naoya Inoue can defend his undisputed super bantamweight world crown against Alan Picasso and Junto Nakatani can defeat Sebastian Hernandez on Saturday at Ring V in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live worldwide on DAZN Pay-Per-View, there’s a great chance we could see the undefeated Japanese sensations do battle at a sold-out Tokyo Dome in 2026.
What a big event that would be for "The Land of the Rising Sun" as well as the boxing world overall. Can Nakatani deliver the upset? Or will the oozing skills of ‘The Monster’ prove to be too nightmarish for his fellow countryman to tame?
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
(Getty Images)
Just as Inoue-Nakatani would sizzle in Japan and the world over, Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua would be humongous for England and the global boxing audience.
That is precisely why Anthony Joshua did not waste time calling Tyson Fury out immediately after decimating Jake Paul, fracturing the influencer/boxer's jaw in two places last weekend.
The heavyweight tilt makes perfect sense as both Brits are former world champions who each sport a pair of decision losses to two-time undisputed heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk.
For the ‘Gypsy King’ and AJ, a page in their historic careers left unturned is to clash with each other in a long-overdue matchup for British heavyweight supremacy of this generation.
An overflowing Wembley Stadium in 2026 sounds like the perfect host and time.
Moses Itauma in a title fight
Leigh Dawney/Queensberry
Yes, Moses Itauma is just 20 years old, but the British heavyweight is an absolute phenom.
He seems to check all the boxes and if he delivers a highlight victory against Jermaine Franklin on January 24, exclusively live on DAZN, Itauma’s fast track to a potential title bout will be accelerated that much more.
Since the bout is in January, would a possible crack at a heavyweight world championship by the end of 2026 be possible? Given Itauma’s in-ring abilities, that just might be in store for the scintillating talent.
Shakur Stevenson/Teofimo Lopez Jr. winner vs. Gervonta 'Tank' Davis
Matchroom Boxing
Shakur Stevenson, Teofimo Lopez Jr., and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis have all exchanged verbal jabs before. (Throw Devin Haney in that mix as well). In challenging for Lopez’ WBO super lightweight world title at Madison Square Garden in New York City, and live on DAZN, on January 31, the man left standing with his hand raised should fight Davis.
If Davis can square away his issues outside of the ring and hone in on boxing with focus and passion once again, ‘Tank’ vs. the Stevenson/Lopez winner would be as must-see as the Stevenson-Lopez fight — if not more.
‘Tank’ vs. Stevenson would pit the explosive boxer-puncher skills of Davis against the sweet science ring IQ and defensive brilliance of Stevenson. Davis vs. Lopez would have two boxer-punchers trying to assert their will.
Hopefully we get it in the New Year.
Jaron 'Boots' Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz Jr.
Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy/Getty Images
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis vanquished Uisma Lima inside of a round back in October. Vergil Ortiz Jr. responded less than a month later by producing a second-round TKO of Erickson Lubin.
After Ortiz’ victory, Ennis met him in the ring with the two exchanging words and engaging in an intense faceoff.
With both Ennis (WBA) and Ortiz (WBC) being interim titleholders at 154 pounds, the only thing left for the undefeated boxers to do is fight.
This bout could be the liftoff point toward one of the stars reaching a superstar orbit.
Hopefully, boxing fans worldwide get this alluring fight in 2026.
Watch Ring V Inoue vs. Picasso on DAZN PPV
Naoya Inoue and Alan Picasso headline the Ring V fight night, exclusively on DAZN PPV this Saturday, December 27.
Purchase as a one-off PPV, or get included at no extra cost with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which includes minimum of 12 PPV events per year, plus another 185 fight nights. Monthly and annual options available.
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