Boxing
George Groves names the British fighter who will be world champion in 2026 and it is not Moses Itauma
Kabayel vs Knyba: Subscribe to watch - Jan 10
British boxing could see several new world champions crowned in 2026 as numerous top fighters prepare for title shots.
Dalton Smith has the chance to do so this weekend when he faces Subriel Matias in New York City and there are big hopes for Moses Itauma later in the year as long as he gets past Jermaine Franklin on January 24.
Itauma is seen as one of the brightest hopes in boxing and his backers are confident he can reign as heavyweight ruler for many years to come.
Elsewhere, Hamzah Sheeraz is hoping to finally become world champion as it appears his crack at a belt will come sooner rather than later following the retirement of Terence Crawford.
After walking away from the sport after defeating Canelo Alvarez last September, all four world titles were vacated when Crawford returned meaning that Sheeraz will likely have a big opportunity in the coming months.
The super-middleweight star impressed against Edgar Berlanga last year and George Groves, a former world champion at 168lbs, is confident that Sheeraz can finally become world champion this year.
“Hamzah Sheeraz, now campaigning at a super-middleweight with the belts scattering, I believe he's got a great shot to win one. He had a great win against Edgar Berlanga,” said Groves when speaking to Betideas.com .
“If that fight was happening this year, that might have been happening for a vacant world title. He had a fight with Adames, but he didn’t really perform. And then we were like, okay, has he not performed or are we about to find his level?
“Boxing's brutal like that. Boxing fans are weird. We're quick to stick the knife in. I think maybe he was a bit tight with the weight now. But at super-middleweight, I'd like to see him with a shot.”
Watch Kabayel vs. Knyba with a DAZN subscription
January starts with a heavyweight bang as Agit Kabayel takes the next steps towards a world title shot as he face Damian Knyba this Saturday, January 10, exclusively on DAZN Watch with a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
