Gareth A Davies

Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions has evolved from a novelty boxing venture into a major combat-sports business through broad distribution agreements with Netflix, ESPN and Sky Sports, as well as a merger with the Professional Fighters League. The company’s combination of Paul’s digital reach and Nakisa Bidarian’s strategy has helped elevate women’s boxing, particularly through the Taylor–Serrano series, while creating profitable collaborations with established promoter Matchroom Boxing. MVP’s expansion into MMA now challenges traditional promoters and the UFC, although Paul’s next move as a fighter remains uncertain, with potential bouts against Tommy Fury, Chris Eubank Jr, Conor McGregor or Francis Ngannou under consideration.

Madison Square Garden in New York is currently the leading venue for the long-awaited Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua fight, likely in November 2026, because Netflix wants a US-friendly broadcast window and Wembley faces late-night curfew and logistical constraints. A spring 2027 event in the UK could deliver a larger home crowd and stronger domestic atmosphere, but postponement risks requiring further tune-up bouts and allowing young heavyweight Moses Itauma to overtake the division. Promoters and Saudi backers must balance global streaming reach against uncertainty over American interest in two British fighters who have recently suffered defeats.

Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury’s expected November fight is portrayed as arriving eight years too late to determine the best heavyweight of their generation, with Oleksandr Usyk now holding that distinction. Their recent bouts exposed decline: Joshua was twice knocked down by Kristian Prenga before recovering to win by knockout, while Fury laboured to stop ageing journeyman Mariusz Wach. The contest is therefore framed less as a championship fight than as an emotionally charged final test of pride, legacy and remaining resilience for two diminished British boxing stars.

Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in Jeddah against Albania’s Kristian Prenga, seven months after a car crash in Nigeria killed his close friends and trainers Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif “Latz” Ayodele. The tragedy has left Joshua managing severe grief while attempting to channel it into a focused comeback. He has trained alongside former rival Oleksandr Usyk in Spain and is being portrayed by his camp as physically and mentally sharper than before. A decisive win could advance the long-discussed Joshua-Tyson Fury fight, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season and promoted by Matchroom Sport.

Tyson Fury will fight Mariusz Wach in a sold-out, 1,500-capacity charity event at Pattaya’s Max Muay Thai Stadium, with no purse or live television broadcast. The event is expected to raise about 8.1 million baht for Thailand’s Father Ray Foundation, which supports orphaned, disabled and street-dwelling children. Fury is using the bout as a live-action warm-up ahead of a proposed autumn mega-fight with Anthony Joshua, reportedly worth around £100 million, while Joshua prepares separately in Saudi Arabia. The unusual Thai camp and low-profile event reflect Fury’s affection for Thailand but also carry the risk of injury or cuts jeopardizing the planned Joshua showdown.

A decade after Muhammad Ali’s death, his influence is portrayed as stronger and broader than ever. His innovative heavyweight style remains a template for modern fighters, but his showmanship, media presence and commercial image have arguably eclipsed his boxing record. His once-radical opposition to the Vietnam War and advocacy for marginalized people have been absorbed into the modern athlete-activist tradition, while institutions such as the Muhammad Ali Center preserve that humanitarian legacy. His estate avoided the family conflict many expected, with Lonnie Ali overseeing a structured trust and the family’s name continuing through daughter Laila Ali and grandsons Nico Ali Walsh and Biaggio Ali Walsh.

Journeyman boxers such as Jordan Grannum and Nathan Darby endure frequent defeats, short-notice bookings, hostile away crowds and demanding travel while protecting themselves well enough to fight again soon. Their defensive skills provide crucial tests for developing prospects, helping young fighters build stamina, composure and ring craft without sacrificing their own safety. Despite limited money, recognition and prospects of winning titles, Grannum and Darby describe boxing as a calling and take pride in serving as reliable, competitive custodians of the sport.

Oleksandr Usyk retained his position as heavyweight champion after referee Mark Lyson stopped his bout with kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven one second before the end of the 11th round. Verhoeven had badly exceeded expectations, landing significant punches and leading 96-94 on one scorecard, while the other two scored the fight 95-95. The stoppage was widely portrayed as premature, but the contest also reinforced the growing appeal of crossover fights between elite athletes from different combat sports and prompted calls for a rematch.

Jason Statham helped introduce kickboxing champion Rico Verhoeven to Saudi boxing powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, leading to Verhoeven’s unexpected challenge to Oleksandr Usyk for the WBC heavyweight title in Giza. Verhoeven had originally been scheduled to fight Anthony Joshua, but that bout was suspended after Joshua’s road accident in Nigeria. Although Verhoeven has dominated Glory Kickboxing for more than a decade, he has only one professional boxing match, prompting criticism from boxing purists and frustration from mandatory contender Agit Kabayel. The fight reflects boxing’s increasing shift toward celebrity, crossover appeal and financial spectacle; Usyk is nevertheless expected to wear down the much larger kickboxer and retain his crown.

The Telegraph’s boxing correspondent Gareth A Davies identifies five matchups he believes should define the sport’s near future: Artur Beterbiev versus David Benavidez, Jesse Rodriguez versus Naoya Inoue, Oleksandr Usyk versus Agit Kabayel, a Daniel Dubois–Fabio Wardley rematch, and Moses Itauma against elite opposition. The recommendations follow Dubois’s dramatic stoppage of Wardley for the WBO heavyweight title and are driven by competitive intrigue, championship obligations, generational transitions and the prospect of major stylistic clashes. Davies expects Usyk’s experience to prevail against Kabayel but views Itauma as a potential future heavyweight leader, with a possible Usyk fight representing a passing of the torch.

Daniel Dubois faces Fabio Wardley in a high-stakes WBO heavyweight title fight in Manchester after criticism of lively pre-fight gatherings at his home before previous bouts. Trainer Don Charles says the gatherings were cultural rituals rather than distractions, but the team has now adopted a more disciplined and structured preparation to help Dubois control his emotions. Dubois’s power is seen as his key advantage, while Wardley’s pressure and toughness could force an early exchange. Victory would make Dubois a two-time world champion and revive his undisputed ambitions; defeat could severely damage his career.

The proposed Anthony Joshua–Tyson Fury heavyweight fight has reportedly encountered an unusual condition from Saudi powerbroker Turki Alalshikh: Dua Lipa must perform at the event. The requirement could affect the fight’s timing, location or viability, particularly because Lipa is reportedly due to marry actor Callum Turner in September. Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh on July 25 as preparation for a potential November showdown with Fury, which is expected to stream on Netflix. The fight follows Joshua’s recovery from a fatal car accident in Nigeria and Fury’s recent return from retirement.