Matchroom Boxing announces exciting fights for early 2026
Matchroom Boxing has revealed its event schedule for early 2026, promising a series of high-caliber matchups including world title fights, a title unification, and a highly anticipated rematch.
On January 24, Raymond Muratalla will defend his IBF lightweight title against the 2020 Olympic gold medalist and undefeated Cuban boxer, Andy Cruz, at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas.
Muratalla, with a record of 23-0 and 17 KOs, conquered the vacant title in his last fight by defeating Zaur Abdullaev in May. This will be his first title defense, facing a rising Cruz, who debuted as a professional in 2023 and remains undefeated with a record of 6-0. Cruz comes to this fight after an impressive technical knockout victory in the fifth round against Hironori Mishiro in June.
The following week, IBF super welterweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) will put his title on the line against Josh Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs) at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.
Kelly has achieved seven consecutive victories since being stopped by David Avanesyan in 2021. Murtazaliev will make the second defense of the title he obtained in 2024 after knocking out Jack Culcay.
An expected rematch between Leigh Wood (28-4, 17 KOs) and Josh Warrington (32-4-1, 8 KOs) will headline a card on February 21 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham.
In their first fight in October 2023, Wood achieved a knockout victory over Warrington. Wood seeks to recover after being stopped by Anthony Cacace in May, while Warrington hopes to avenge the knockout defeat and obtain his second consecutive victory.
Finally, Emanuel Navarrete and Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez will face each other in a super lightweight unification fight on February 28 at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona.
Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) holds the WBO title, while Nunez (29-1, 27 KOs) is the IBF champion. Nunez secured this unification fight with a unanimous decision victory against Christopher Diaz in September. The fight, originally scheduled for March 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, has been moved to Glendale and will be brought forward a week.
