Boxing: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Naoya Inoue lined up to face unbeaten champion in major super-bantamweight clash

Naoya Inoue is not wasting any time. Just weeks after his last title defence, the Japanese superstar looks to be lining up another fight. Inoue made his first appearance in Saudi Arabia on December 27, where he took on David Picasso to defend his undisputed super-bantamweight crown.

Features

The Morning Bark

The Quiz of the Day

Women's boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Fundora moves up; a new name in the top 10

Gabriela Fundora keeps moving up and Elif Nur Turhan scored another impressive TKO victory. Here's the latest women's pound-for-pound rankings.

Boxing News / Big Fight Weekend / January 8

‘Give me a call’: Fabio Wardley challenges Tyson Fury

Former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury recently delivered news that came as no surprise: “The Gypsy King” is making his return. He has retired and unretired at various times over the years, so this time would not have shocked many. Fury has been working out with Kevin Lerena ahead of an expected 2026 comeback.

Terri Harper News / ESPN / January 8

Dubois puts pressure on Harper over title fight

Caroline Dubois was pleaded with Terri Harper not to "ask for silly things" and to agree a deal for a lightweight unification bout in the first quarter of 2026.

Dmitry Bivol News / BoxingNews.com / January 8

Bivol’s Next Target Becomes Clearer

Dmitry Bivol is back in training with reports he is finalizing his return to the ring, with Germany’s IBF Michael Eifert as the next target. Bivol cemented his place in boxing history in February 2025 by defeating Artur Beterbiev via a majority decision.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / January 7

Subriel Matias Aims To Make Dalton Smith Say ‘No Mas’ on Saturday in Brooklyn

If Puerto Rico’s Subriel Matias felt put off by the temp in Brooklyn, as he went through the paces at the famed and fabled Gleason’s Gym in Dumbo, he didn’t betray it on Wednesday.

Boxing News / Big Fight Weekend / January 7

‘Who else Is there to fight?’ – Eddie Hearn questions Vergil Ortiz Jr regarding Jaron Ennis fight

The super welterweight division continues to be one of the most exciting in the sport. The current champions are Sebastian Fundora, Xander Zayas, Bakhram Murtazaliev, and Abass Baraou.

Boxing News / KO on SI / January 7

Tyson Fury Responds To Fabio Wardley's World Title Fight Comments

Tyson Fury has returned and is looking to get back into the ring in a big way. And in a statement online, Fury said that fellow British basher Fabio Wardley “could be an option” for 2026.

Naoya Inoue News / Bloody Elbow / January 7

Naoya Inoue set to defend undisputed super-bantamweight title against undefeated champion

Just a matter of weeks after his most recent title defense, Naoya Inoue’s next title defense already looks set. On December 27, Naoya Inoue made his first appearance in Saudi Arabia when he defended his undisputed super-bantamweight title against David Picasso.

Boxing News / Big Fight Weekend / January 7

Jaron Ennis vs Vergil Ortiz Jr – Xander Zayas predicts outcome

The super welterweight division continues to present many possible mouthwatering matchups. Xander Zayas recently won the vacant WBO super welterweight title, defeating Jorge Garcia Perez by unanimous decision.

Dmitry Bivol News / Big Fight Weekend / January 7

‘We can be ready to fight’: Dmitry Bivol’s manager confirms return timeline after back surgery

Lineal and unified light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol is edging closer to a return after undergoing back surgery in August. Since his historic win

Agit Kabayel News / Athlon Sports / January 7

Agit Kabayel vs. Damian Knyba: Preview, storylines

Boxing wasted absolutely no time making noise in 2026. If the first few weeks are any indication, this year is shaping up to be a busy one for the heavyweight division—where undefeated records, interim belts, and future title implications are already colliding.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / January 7

Alfredo Santiago vs Hendri Cedeno: Preview & Betting Tips

The upcoming bout between Alfredo Santiago and Hendri Cedeno may not command global headlines, but from a betting perspective it offers the kind of stylistic intrigue that often produces value.

Dalton Smith News / Athlon Sports / January 7

Subriel Matías vs. Dalton Smith: Preview, storylines

A major early bout has been set for boxing in 2026, with a high-stakes super lightweight title fight bringing together power, momentum, and real divisional consequences.

Anthony Joshua News / BoxingNews.com / January 7

Anthony Joshua’s Uncle Says He’s Retired

Adedamola Joshua, the uncle of heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua, told the Nigerian newspaper ‘The Punch’ that the fighter has decided to retire from boxing.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / January 7

Canelo Returns To Training

Canelo Alvarez is back in the gym, but will he ever be the same? Just months after his loss to Terence Crawford and a subsequent surgery on his left elbow, Canelo Alvarez has officially begun his rehabilitation.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'NFL passing TD leaders by year' quiz

The 'Most sacks in an NFL season' quiz

The 'Last 4K-yard passer by NFL team' quiz

The 'Heisman Trophy winners since 2000' quiz

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / January 7

Garcia Passes Lie Detector Test to Deny Haney Doping Claims

In a bid to clear his name, Ryan Garcia recently underwent a voluntary lie detector test to address the doping scandal from his 2024 fight against Devin Haney.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / January 6

Anthony Joshua May Never Step In the Ring Again: Retirement Rumors Swirl

The year 2025 had enormous highs and rock-bottom lows for former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. On December 19, under the bright lights of a Netflix-broadcast

Tyson Fury News / Bloody Elbow / January 6

Tyson Fury makes worrying ‘wheelchair’ admission ahead of planned comeback

At 37 years old, Tyson Fury has announced he will make another comeback to the sport of boxing. After suffering a second loss to Oleksandr Usyk at the end of 2024, Tyson Fury announced once again that he was retiring from the sport of boxing.

Boxing News / KO on SI / January 6

Teddy Atlas Names Pound-For-Pound Star As His 2025 Fighter Of The Year

With the conclusion of 2025, many in the boxing community have begun to debate who the most impressive athlete in the sport was over the calendar year.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / January 6

Zhilei Zhang Reveals His ‘Big Bang’ Hit List: Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, Fabio Wardley & Derek Chisora

It’s a new year, and heavyweight Zhilei Zhang aims to get back to winning ways, revealing the fighters he would like to face: Daniel Dubois, Tyson Fury, Fabio Wardley, and Derek Chisora.

Anthony Joshua News / HITC / January 6

Anthony Joshua’s family reveal retirement talk just days after car crash

A new report claims that Anthony Joshua has already made a decision on his future. Following his knockout victory over Jake Paul, many wondered if the fight would serve as a launchpad for another run at the heavyweight title.

Tyson Fury News / HITC / January 6

Tyson Fury names his top three opponents for 2026 after confirming boxing comeback

Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight world champion, has revealed his three preferred opponents for when he steps back into the ring in 2026. Tyson Fury has officially confirmed his return to professional boxing in 2026, ending his second retirement following defeats to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024.

Teofimo Lopez News / Dice City Sports / January 5

Teofimo Lopez Thrives as an Underdog

Teofimo Lopez is one of boxing’s most fascinating contradictions. Inside the ring, he’s an explosive athlete with rare timing and power. Outside it, he’s mercurial, provocative, and often surrounded by chaos.