Tszyu reborn and a blockbuster NRL bout; Jake Paul’s shock next opponent: Bold boxing predictions

1. Australia boasts three male world champions

OK, so Australian fighters may have endured enough hurdles this past year to be mistaken for Sally Pearson. But we’re tipping our crew of biggest names will bounce back in spectacular fashion through 2026 — with no less than three men winning world titles. And with a whopping 19 Aussie sluggers ranked inside the top 15 from heavyweight to strawweight … well, the opportunities for big fights are everywhere.

2. Jai Opetaia unifies, fights David Benavidez

Australia’s cruiserweight king has spent three years being so avoided, his fight name could be switched to ‘The Dentist’. However this will be the year Opetaia finally lands the biggest bout of his career — against David Benavidez. Better, the showdown will happen in the back half of 2026 with both men each holding two cruiserweight straps and looking to become the division’s undisputed king. Dead. Set. Slobberknocker.

3. Jake Paul fights Israel Adesanya

While he may still be eating his meals through a plastic straw, there’s no doubting Jake Paul’s boxing appeal — especially after 33 million fans tuned in to watch his jaw get busted by Anthony Joshua on Netflix. An effort too, which earned Paul $100 million. Same deal AJ … only he got to do the breaking. And find us a prizefighter outside Francis Ngannou wouldn’t want in on that? Undeniably, Paul will be looking to hunt down at least two big names in 2026. So why not Adesanya? Apart from being a two-time UFC champ, and one of MMA’s most famous strikers, The Last Stylebender also boasts a social media following measured in millions. Oh yeah, he also fights about 7kg lighter than Paul, a natural cruiserweight.

4. Dana White to make a splash

While the goalposts may continually be shifting around exactly how it will all look, there’s no doubt Dana White will have made plenty of headlines a year from now in his new life as a boxing promoter. Apart from gifting a whole cast of young prospects the ‘UFC treatment’, White’s Zuffa Boxing machine will also be involved in at least one massive event like Canelo-Crawford.

5. Tim Tszyu lands another megafight

To borrow a line from Mark Twain, reports of Tim Tszyu’s death have been greatly exaggerated. While he may have lost three consecutive title fights Stateside, we’re tipping The Soul Taker – sorry, Phoenix – to go on a 2026 tear that culminates with him landing a massive name. And yes, it will happen with Tszyu as the B-side this time. But given his own surname and previous gladiatorial efforts Stateside, Tszyu has the ability to rise back to the top far quicker than others in his position.

6. Paul Gallen agrees to fight Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Yes, yes, yes, we know Gal has now retired – twice — from the Australian fight scene. But who doesn’t love bagfuls of cash? Which is why there is absolutely no doubting Gal, at 44 – and fresh off beating SBW – will be asked about going around one more time against yet another aggressive acronym, NAS. If it lands, the bout will almost certainly outsell even Gal/SBW. Yet should the challenge not eventuate as we’ve tipped, we’ll take a saver expect: No Limit’s newest crossover star gets fast-tracked into an Australian heavyweight title shot.

7. Nikita Tszyu earns US debut

So for this one to happen Tszyu must first beat Michael Zerafa. Which is a long way from being guaranteed. But if it happens? Well, after years spent living in big brother’s shadow, we’re tipping the youngest Tszyu sibling to become a genuine Aussie sports star in every sense. Better, there’s a strong chance the Butcher will headline one more time in Australia before then making his American debut. Already, Nikita sits at No.6 in the IBF super welterweight division. And should he whoop Zerafa? We expect it will do for him what Jeff Horn’s scalp did for brother Tim six years ago.

8. George Rose v Eddie Hearn

Fresh off starring in his own Netflix documentary, Eddie Hearn is headed Down Under in 2026 and has already announced his eagerness to make some big fights with Australia’s No.1 promoter No Limit, including a blockbuster 5V5 showcase. Exactly where it all goes? Who knows? But the Rose boys have already declared themselves open to the 5V5 idea, which they first discussed with Hearn in a UK bar over several drinks three years ago.

9. Global boxing embraces AJ

Undeniably, things will never be the same again for UK boxing superstar Anthony Joshua, who was this week involved in a Nigerian car accident that tragically claimed two of his closest friends’ lives. In the days leading up to the horrific incident, all talk had been about AJ finally throwing down in a 2026 megafight — his long awaited Battle of Britain with Tyson Fury. Those conversations are now silenced, perhaps temporarily, perhaps forever, as Joshua grieves and begins what will undoubtedly be a tough road back. In fact, the only real guarantee is that whatever his choice moving forward, the popular Englishman will do so with support from fight fans the world over.

10. Liam Paro to become a two-division world champion

Sure, things have become a little, err, convoluted for Paro, whose impending IBF eliminator was cancelled this week after Irishman Paddy Donovan withdrew due to illness. Exactly how the Mackay slugger now gets to UK champ Lewis Crocker is all up in the air. Regardless, we’re backing everything to be worked through, and the Queenslander to get it done. And should Paro win gold in the first half of 2026 … well, there’s an outside chance he could then double down with an all-Australian showcase against George Kambosos.

11. Inoue becomes five-division champion, P4P King

Already boasting Japan’s greatest reign of terror outside Godzilla, expect Naoya Inoue to continue his marauding ways in 2026. First up, we’ll tip Monster to beat Junto Nakatani in what shapes as one of the greatest fights that can be made anywhere on planet earth right now. From there, Inoue will again move up, and again win gold – potentially against England’s WBA featherweight king Nick Ball. As a result of all this, Inoue will also become boxing’s Pound For Pound king.

12. Sam Goodman looks to make good on mate’s tattoo

If all of the above plays out with Naoya Inoue, the super bantamweight division will suddenly have four vacated titles — three of which Australia’s Goodman is in the rankings to fight for. And given his outstanding performance when challenging up a division for Nick Ball’s WBA strap last August, you’d have to think the Central Coast fighter is short odds for a shot in his own weight class. Which, in turn, gives Goodman the chance to finally make good on that tattoo inked onto a family friend’s forearm, reading: ‘Sam Goodman, super bantamweight world champion’.

13. Harry Garside retires

While it pains us to write this one, we’re expecting the Olympic bronze medallist to step away from the sport this year to pursue all those other opportunities now coming his way, and without the accompanying head trauma.

14. Usyk fights on

Sure, like Garside, the world’s greatest heavyweight also seems a perfect fit for Dancing With The Stars. Especially if his social media grooving is anything to go by. Regardless, we think Oleksandr Usyk will drag out his fighting farewell tour for longer than this year, having one huge fight in 2026 — with Deontay Wilder now the frontrunner — before then finally cashing out, still undefeated, late in 2027.

15. Callum Peters wins gold

Already considered Australia’s most exciting fight prospect, Callum Peters will continue his rise and rise by winning gold at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. Despite suffering a shock first round loss at the World Boxing Championships in September, the 23-year-old who is also undefeated in five pro bouts will go one better than his silver four years ago in Birmingham, England.

16. Australia’s unluckiest fighter becomes champ, again

He’s been robbed twice in title fights, prematurely retired and as recently as August spent weeks waiting, unsuccessfully, for a fight in Mexico. But in 2026 we’re tipping the nation’s unluckiest fighter — Andrew Moloney – to become world champion again. Currently, the Aussie is said to be next in line for IBF junior bantamweight Willibaldo Garcia. Of course, given Moloney’s history, even this isn’t without drama — with Garcia’s December defence against Kenshiro Teraji cancelled after the champ fell ill following weigh ins. You also have the small matter of ‘Bam’ Rodriguez wanting to unify. Regardless, we’re tipping Moloney will not only get first shot at Garcia, but win – creating one of the sport’s greatest feelgood yarns.

17. Fights for Francis Ngannou, Manny Pacquiao & Floyd Mayweather

Look, we won’t even try to guess how it all plays out, but we do expect three of combat sports’ biggest names to all have fights sometime in 2026. As of this week, Pacquiao is back in talks with Mayweather, who is also being linked to an exhibition against Mike Tyson, 59. Although just on that latter one, we’d prefer to opt out and let Iron Mike fight on only in our memories and old Youtube clips. Ngannou, meanwhile, is now at the back end of his latest MMA deal and surely kicking himself after rejecting a December showdown against Jake Paul. With the UFC seemingly ruled out forever, Ngannou will return to the boxing ring in some form.

18. The tag of Australian boxing queen becomes a big deal

Incredibly, Australia heads into the new year with four women holding world titles – and all of them keen to be cemented as the nation’s fight queen. Currently, the clubhouse leader is Cherneka Johnson, who boasts all four bantamweight straps and could be headed for a showdown with fellow Aussie Ebonie Bridges, who returns to the sport this weekend after becoming a mum. Next comes the Aussie middleweights who could also potentially throw down for a third time, with Desley Robinson the IBF and WBO champ while Kaye Scott owns WBC gold. Elsewhere, Skye Nicolson is also the interim WBC super bantamweight champ and chasing undisputed herself against Ellie Scotney. A case of watch this space.

19. Liam Wilson to fight Navarrete rematch

It’s now been almost three years since Liam Wilson was sensationally robbed of a world title against Mexican superstar Emanual Navarrete – and via that unforgettable ‘27 second count’ in Arizona. But with Mr Damage having again pushed up into the No.3 challenger spot for the WBO super featherweight king, we’re tipping promoters No Limit land the Queenslander his long-awaited rematch.

20. Big boys go bang

Following his heartbreaking loss to now WBO heavyweight champ Fabio Wardley, expect Justis Huni to bounce back into world title contention in 2026, while Matchroom also ramp things up for undefeated Aussie prospect Teremoana Jnr via fights of increasing intensity. Domestically too, fans can expect an unofficial tournament of sorts to find a clear heavyweight ‘king’ from a list including, but not limited to, Liam Talivaa, Stevan Ivic, Demsey McKean, Toese Vousiutu, Alex Leapai Jnr, even Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

21. Ahmad Reda to get ranked at super featherweight

Bit of a smokey this one, but look for undefeated Sydney prospect Ahmad Reda to have immediate success following his decision to drop two weight classes and campaign as a super featherweight in 2026. Still only 22, Reda has started his career on a run of eight straight wins and the Sydneysider’s team are quietly confident of taking him into the top 15 by the end of this year.

22. No Limit’s caravan hits the road

We’re hearing Australia’s No.1 promoter is keen to take its travelling roadshow into some new locations in what shapes as a bumper year, with venues being discussed including Perth, Adelaide, Townsville, and Tasmania. There is also talk of Melbourne fans getting a massive pay-per-view headliner.