Nine months into 2026, only Jai Opetaia among Uncrowned’s 10 highest-ranked pound-for-pound boxers had fought more than once. Matchmakers and trainers cited fewer TV dates and opponents, high pay expectations and fighters’ desire to protect unbeaten records.
Matchmaker Brad Goodman said streaming services no longer offer weekly fights and boxers seek to protect their unbeaten records. Manager-matchmaker Christian Cherchi said many journeymen took regular jobs after the pandemic, leaving fewer opponents for prospects. Dave Coldwell said limited promoter dates mean most prospects get no more than four fights a year.
Ryan Garcia said he hopes to fight again in December after stopping Conor Benn in September; that would give the WBC welterweight champion three bouts in 2026. Hamzah Sheeraz withdrew from a mandatory title defense against Janibek Alimkhanuly after the purse bid came in at $1,001,809, then vacated his WBO super-middleweight belt. As champion, Sheeraz was entitled to 75% of the purse, about $750,000.
