So, the dust has finally settled on one of the wildest years in recent memory, and honestly, the landscape of the "sweet science" looks completely unrecognizable compared to where we were just a few months ago. If you’ve been following the latest news in boxing, you know the bombshell that dropped in December: Terence "Bud" Crawford is actually done. He walked away.
It’s rare. Usually, these guys hang around until their legs go out or some young lion makes them look old in front of a global audience. But not Bud. After he took Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to school in September 2025—earning a unanimous decision that wasn't even as close as the 115-113 cards suggested—he decided 42-0 was a perfect place to stop. He became the first male fighter to be a three-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era. What else is there to do? At 38, he chose his health and his legacy over one last massive payday.
The Heavyweight Shuffle: Usyk’s New Reality
With Crawford gone, the pound-for-pound king crown has naturally slid back over to Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian isn't just sitting on his belts, though. After beating Tyson Fury twice in 2024 and then handling Daniel Dubois again last summer, he’s basically cleared out the immediate neighborhood.
There’s been a lot of chatter about a third fight with Fury. Honestly? It’s probably not happening. Usyk seems bored with the "Gypsy King" saga. While Fury has been making noise on social media about a Wembley date in April 2026, the folks at Wembley say the stadium isn't even booked. Usyk is already looking at Deontay Wilder or maybe just chilling until a mandatory really forces his hand.
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Meanwhile, Fabio Wardley is now the WBO heavyweight champion after Usyk vacated the belt to keep the wheels of the division turning. It's a weird time for the big men. We have Agit Kabayel holding an interim WBC title after a controversial stoppage of Damian Knyba in Germany just a few weeks ago, and Moses Itauma is looking like the literal future. Itauma has a date with Jermaine Franklin on January 24th in Manchester, and if he wins that, the hype train is going to be impossible to stop.
Canelo’s Return and the Saudi Influence
Now, let’s talk about the man who usually runs this sport. Canelo Alvarez is officially coming back. After losing his undisputed super middleweight status to Crawford and taking time off for elbow surgery in October, he’s set his return for September 12, 2026.
The venue? Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Turki Alalshikh basically confirmed the date this week. The event is being called "Mexico Against the World," and it’ll be the first official "Canelo Promotions" card. He’s 35, turning 36 by fight night, and the big question is who he actually fights. People are screaming for David Benavidez, but the rumor mill is spinning toward names like Hamzah Sheeraz or even a rematch with someone like Dmitry Bivol if the weights can work. Canelo is currently ranked #1 by the WBC and WBO, so he’s not exactly a "gatekeeper" yet, but he’s definitely in the "must-win" phase of his career.
Lower Weight Classes: The Real Fireworks
While the heavyweights and Canelo grab the headlines, the 135 and 140-pound divisions are where the actual best fights are happening.
- January 31st: Teofimo Lopez vs. Shakur Stevenson for the WBO light-welterweight title. This is a massive "pure boxer vs. power" matchup in New York.
- Dalton Smith’s Upset: Just a few days ago, Dalton Smith shocked the world by stopping Subriel Matias in five rounds to take the WBC Super Lightweight belt. Nobody saw a TKO coming there.
- The Ryan Garcia Factor: Love him or hate him, Ryan Garcia is back from his suspension. He’s got a shot at Mario Barrios’ WBC welterweight title on February 21st in Las Vegas. It feels like a gift given his recent history, but in boxing, money talks and Garcia still moves the needle.
Then you have Naoya Inoue. The "Monster" is sitting at 32-0 after a slightly underwhelming (by his standards) win over David Picasso. He’s likely looking at a massive 2026, potentially moving up again or facing Junto Nakatani in an all-Japanese mega-fight that would basically shut down Tokyo for a night.
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What This Means for You (The Actionable Part)
Boxing is moving faster than it has in decades because the "gatekeeper" promoters are losing their grip to the big Saudi money, which actually demands the best fight the best. If you're trying to keep up with the latest news in boxing without getting lost in the politics, here is how you should navigate the next few months:
- Watch the Prospects, Not Just the Stars: Keep an eye on Moses Itauma and Abdullah Mason. The old guard (Canelo, Fury, Usyk) is nearing the exit. These young guys are the ones who will be undisputed in two years.
- Follow the Sanctioning Bodies (Loosely): The IBF has been ruthless lately about stripping champions who don't take mandatories. This is why belts are moving so fast. Don't get too attached to "undisputed" status; it’s becoming harder to keep than a secret in a small town.
- Mark the Calendar: January 31 (Lopez/Stevenson) and February 21 (Barrios/Garcia) are the litmus tests for the year. If those fights deliver, 2026 will be a gold mine for fans.
Boxing has a funny way of surprising us just when we think we've figured it out. Crawford leaving at the top is a class move, but it leaves a vacuum that about six different guys are currently trying to fill. It's going to be a loud, messy, and violent year. Just the way we like it.