Matchroom Boxing has moved early to reveal the first part of its 2026 schedule, headlined by a rematch from a 2023 Fight of the Year contender in Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington.
Promoter Eddie Hearn will be hoping one of his star assets –– Conor Benn –– can cap 2025 with a statement victory over Chris Eubank Jr in their rematch tomorrow night (November 14) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
With 2026 just six weeks away, Hearn and his team have been busy behind the scenes planning next year’s shows. Today they announced four fights scheduled for January and February.
For British fans, the standout is likely Leigh Wood versus Josh Warrington at super-featherweight on February 21 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham. Following Wood’s thrilling win in October 2023 in Sheffield, the Nottingham fighter returns to his home crowd against Leeds’ Warrington. A rivalry that began amicably has since intensified with a war of words, setting the stage for a heated rematch.
The UK may also see a new world champion on January 31, provided Josh Kelly can overcome the ferocious punching Bakhram Murtazaliev. The Russian travels to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena for the second defence of his IBF super-welterweight title following a thunderous showing against Tim Tszyu 13 months ago.
Elsewhere, Cuban sensation Andy Cruz aims to become the latest Olympic gold medallist to hold a world title when he challenges IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla on January 24 at Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
The fourth announcement sees an all-Mexican clash as WBO and IBF world super-featherweight champions Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo Nunez collide in a unification bout at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.