The British boxing scene is set for a seismic year, headlined by the confirmed return of its most lucrative star. Tyson Fury has officially ended his retirement, announcing a comeback planned for 2026, injecting immediate intrigue into the heavyweight landscape.
The Gypsy King's Contradictory Return
Fury, now 37, declared his grand retirement after defeating Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. Yet, in a classic twist, he has now made his return a concrete fact. Having kept his weight under control since his last bout, his recently released sparring footage appears promising. The plan is for Fury to fight by May, with the ambition of securing a meaningful contest by the end of October.
He remains a walking contradiction: his retirement was genuine, and so is his return. However, it is unlikely to be a straightforward path. Fury is such a significant attraction that he requires no stern test in the opposite corner, a situation both good and bad—excellent for his bank balance, but potentially damaging for the sport if he takes a mismatch after a long hiatus. His comeback is likely to be staged under the Saudi Arabian boxing canopy, which continues to lead the global fight business.
A New Generation of Heavyweight Threats
While Fury plots his route back, a new wave of British heavyweights is creating its own headlines. Moses Itauma, the 21-year-old potential terror of the division, fights seasoned American Jermaine Franklin in Manchester on 24 January. Franklin, the last link to the quality US heavyweights of past decades, went twelve rounds with both Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte. If Itauma wins quickly—he needed just 119 seconds to stop Whyte last summer—it will be a massive statement of intent.
Meanwhile, current WBO heavyweight champion Fabio Wardley is expected to defend his title around April or May. Bold talk suggests Daniel Dubois, stopped by Usyk in five rounds last July, could be the challenger, promising a thrilling domestic clash. All eyes will be split between Fury's progress and the rapid ascent of Itauma.
British Boxing's Packed Schedule Across the Divisions
The action extends far beyond the heavyweights. At light-heavyweight, Ben Whittaker's apprenticeship is over. The unbeaten Olympic silver medallist now has a full dance card of domestic rivals including Callum Smith, Anthony Yarde, Joshua Buatsi, and Craig Richards—fights that would captivate British fans.
Hamzah Sheeraz has been nominated to fight for the vacant WBO super-middleweight title, likely on a major Riyadh Season card. Conor Benn is seeking a big night back at welterweight, targeting Belfast's IBF champion Lewis Crocker, and has also had his name mentioned by American stars Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney.
Women's boxing features two massive potential fights. Lauren Price could meet Mikaela Mayer in an undisputed welterweight clash, a fight discussed for over a year. At lightweight, Caroline Dubois (unbeaten in 13) might face Turkey's Elif Nur Turhan, a rare power-puncher in the women's game who has stopped eight of twelve opponents.
The early 2026 calendar is already brimming with key dates:
- Sheffield's Dalton Smith challenges for the WBC super-lightweight title against Subriel Matias in New York this Saturday.
- Nick Ball makes his fourth WBA featherweight title defence against Brandon Figueroa in Liverpool on 7 February.
- Jazza Dickens travels to Dublin in March to defend his WBA super-featherweight title against Anthony Cacace.
- The long-overdue rematch between bitter rivals Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington takes place in Nottingham on 21 February.
This year promises daring fights, the conclusion of a dozen careers, and the potential breakthrough of a new generation of stars. However, with many fighters carefully managed by top promoters, the challenge will be to ensure the assets are tested in meaningful contests. 2026 is poised to be a year of transition, potentially yielding some outrageous and unforgettable battles.
