The Ring 6, Murtazaliev-Kelly, Wilder-Chisora: Five things to watch out for this week

2026 is almost a month old, but the boxing treadmill never stops as the sport heads towards its latest slate of blockbuster bouts and championship encounters, live on DAZN.

Headlined by Teofimo Lopez and Shakur Stevenson , The Ring 6 lands at Madison Square Garden this weekend, while  Bakhram Murtazaliev faces Josh Kelly in Newcastle .

But outside of the ring, there's plenty of other intriguing storylines that look set to converge, including confirmation of a mega-heavyweight bout with some major repercussions.

From battles in the Big Apple to nights out in the North East, DAZN News takes a look towards the week in boxing - and picks out the five key things to keep your eyes peeled for.

Stevenson chasing four-weight glory

All eyes will be on New York City as two of American boxing's premier operators from either side of the Hudson meet in Manhattan for a seismic showdown with plenty at stake.

As defending champion, Brooklyn's Lopez has everything to lose in this latest defence of his WBO light-welterweight belt, a crown he has held since a 2023 win over Josh Taylor.

But as an undefeated multi-division operator, Jersey man Stevenson knows he can secure his place in the pantheon of four-weight legends by taking out his opponent at MSG.

Kelly keen to earn title stripes

Halfway across the world, there's a hometown hero looking to take his first step onto the podium at world title level when Kelly tackles the hard-hitting Murtazaliev head-on.

At 31, the former amateur star is well into what many would consider prime years, and finds himself with his first world title shot up the A183 at the Utilita Arena on Saturday.

Wasserman Boxing

Kelly has amassed an impressive body of work, but with arguably few standout victories to his name thus far. Here, he has the chance to make a statement and earn his stripes.

Davis ready to rewrite reputation

It's been a funny old time for Keyshawn Davis since his brief reign as WBO lightweight champion, having been stripped of his belt before he could make a defence last year.

That came after the star missed weight, and he responded with a move to light-welterweight at The Ring 6, where he will battle against Jamaine Ortiz in his class debut.

After old amateur rival Andy Cruz came up short this past weekend, Davis will have much to consider on his future beyond this too - but first, he must secure a critical victory.

Wilder-Chisora close to April dance

Just weeks after speculation they could be headed for title shots against Oleksandr Usyk and Fabio Wardley respectively, the heavyweight duo appear close to a done deal.

Chisora took to social media to post a video of him signing a contract while on a video call with Wilder, and a mooted April date on British shores seems the likely destination.

Richard Pelham/Getty Images

Nevertheless, as the Briton appears set to wrap up his career, many will wonder if it is the right bout for either man when fairytale challenges for silverware were in the air.

Carrington primed for elevation

There's a handful of other bouts in the mix in NYC, but few are as intriguing as the clash for the vacant WBC featherweight title between Bruce Carrington and Carlos Castro.

The former is currently interim champion, and despite the superior pro experience of his opponent, will be an overwhelming favourite to come out on top in this contest.

Should he make the full belt his own, it will mark a fine elevation to the champion pantheon for the Brooklyn native, who has made short work of plenty of foes so far.

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