There are still several big championship fights and high-profile matchups left in the 2026 boxing calendar as it enters a busy stretch run. The year has already served up a host of memorable action, but the boxing schedule over the next few months could give us some of the biggest nites of the year.
The most watched fights are Ryan Garcia v Conor Benn for the WBC welterweight title, Canelo Alvarez v Christian Mbilli for the WBC super middleweight title and a heavyweight re-match between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois. The September calendar also has former heavyweight champion Andy Ruiz Jr. making his return. October offers a slew of title fights in multiple divisions.
Boxing fans will get a mixture of championship stakes, former champions looking to rebuild their careers and younger fighters trying to stake a claim at the highest level in the final months of 2026.
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn: WBC Title Fight
Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn will be one of the biggest fights of the upcoming year. The fight will take place on September 12 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Garcia enters the bout as the WBC welterweight champion and Benn is taking a big world-title opportunity. The fight is a fascinating one to watch because both men are known for their speed, aggression and finishing ability.
The fight is especially important for Garcia, who is looking to improve his position in the welterweight division with another big win. Victory for Benn would be a huge breakthrough against one of the biggest names in the division.
The bout is part of a major Zuffa Boxing event that also features Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelyan for cruiserweight titles.
Jai Opetaia vs Noel Mikaelyan: Cruiserweight Championship Clash
Garcia-Benn card has another big title fight. Jai Opetaia will meet Noel Mikaelyan in a cruiserweight title fight on Sept. 12 in Las Vegas. Opetaia has proved himself one of the top fighters in the cruiserweight division and another solid performance would add to his credentials in a division that has been world famous for producing heavy punchers.
Mikaelyan, meanwhile, enters the fight with a chance to make a big statement against one of the division’s more recognizable names.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs Damian Knyba: Heavyweight Comeback
Former heavyweight champ Andy Ruiz Jr. returned to the ring on Sept. 4 to face Damian Knyba in Newark, New Jersey. This fight may not be for a championship, but it is much more important than the title picture.
Ruiz remains one of the most recognizable heavyweight names in boxing, mostly due to his shocking 2019 win over Anthony Joshua. His career then flatlined and his latest comeback is a vital test of whether he can get back to the heavyweight elite.
The heavyweight division is entering another cycle of change and a successful comeback could see Ruiz back in the fold of the biggest heavyweight matchups.
Canelo Alvarez vs Christian Mbilli
One of the biggest title fight nites of the year could come on October 31 when Canelo Alvarez faces Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The bout is for the WBC super-middleweight title and one of the sport’s biggest draws is facing off against a rising star looking to make his name at the top.
Canelo’s experience fighting at multiple weights is among the most in the sport for an active fighter. Mbilli is at a different point in his career and this fight gives him an opportunity to put himself in the global spotlight. The matchup is one of the headline events on the late-2026 boxing schedule.
Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois
The heavyweight division has another big fight on the calendar with Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois set for a rematch. The rematch is particularly interesting for two reasons: the first fight was a decisive victory, and the second fight has a backstory to follow. Both men are looking to remain in the picture for the crowded heavyweight championship picture, making the result important for the division’s future. A big performance could set the winner up for another crack at a major title.
Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao
Among the most spectacular events listed for September is Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Manny Pacquiao on September 26 in Las Vegas. The original Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight in 2015 was one of the biggest boxing events in history. Of course, a comeback with the names of two legends creates huge nostalgia and global interest.
But fans should separate this event from a traditional world-title fight between fighters in their competitive prime. Most of the appeal stems from the history and star power of the two former champions. The event is slated for Sept. 26, but a venue in Las Vegas has yet to be determined.
Naoya Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa
Japan will also stage one of the year’s most intriguing matchups when undefeated champion Naoya Inoue meets Tenshin Nasukawa on Sept. 27 at the Toyota Arena in Tokyo. Inoue has become one of the most technically gifted champions in the game, while Nasukawa has made a name for himself due to his background and profile in the combat sports world.
The fight gives fans a chance to watch one of the sport’s veteran champions battle a fighter looking to make a statement on one of the biggest stages in boxing.
Other Title Fights to Watch
The final months of 2026 will feature several championship contests outside of the biggest headline bouts. Floyd Schofield is scheduled to fight Lucas Bahdi for the WBA lightweight title on October 10, and Ricardo Sandoval is set to defend his WBA and WBC flyweight titles against Oscar Collazo.
Sebastian Fundora vs. Ermal Hadribeaj for the WBC super welterweight title and Brandon Figueroa vs. Tomoki Kameda for the WBA featherweight title will take place on October 17. Dalton Smith is also set to make a defense of his WBC super lightweight title against Alberto Puello on October 24.
Why the Heavyweight Division Remains So Important
Boxing’s heavyweight division never loses its appeal because one bout can turn the championship picture upside down. 2026 was a busy year in the division, and opened the door for some established contenders and former champions to get back on track. That makes fights with names like Dubois, Wardley and Ruiz particularly important even when a world title isn’t directly on the line. A convincing win could make a contender a possible challenger for one of the division’s champions.
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