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Who will be the face of boxing in 2026? DAZN experts name the next global superstar
2026 is already promising to be another thoroughly entertaining year for boxing fans.
Expect unification and undisputed fights to be made, new world champions crowned, potential realised, and new, exciting talent to emerge.
As always, all the very best action will be live and exclusive on DAZN - the home of boxing - with over 185 fight nights this coming year.
With Teofimo López and Shakur Stevenson going at in New York, Moses Itauma, Agit Kabayel and Amanda Serrano all fighting in January, all exclusively on DAZN, the first month of the year could set the stage for big talents to become true global stars.
And, the truth is, with Terence Crawford retired and the likes of Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and Oleksandr Usyk coming to the end of their careers, boxing is crying out for new stars to transcend the sport and carry it forward on their shoulders for the next decade.
So, who will have a huge 2026 and become boxing's biggest name? Our DAZN News boxing experts have their views.
Who will be the face of boxing at the end of 2026?
Chris Walker
Moses Itauma has every chance to fulfil his world title dreams in 2026, and if he can do it in style then he could be the man that boxing needs for the next few years.
Entertaining, young, powerful, and confident, Itauma ticks many boxes and if he can continue his impressive form next year then anything seems possible for the heavy-handed Itauma.
Andrew Steel
There's no shortage of contenders who could break through to lead the global game in the coming months - but few quite have the dominance like Oleksandr Usyk.
The star is arguably already the face of the game, as the de-facto top dog in the biggest division of all, and success in 2026 will only reinforce his place atop the pile.
Others will come at multiple weights to seize the day - but it's hard to look past the man who already has their name firmly etched into the history books.
Matt Astbury
Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez. The American is guaranteed fireworks, and with every performance, he is gaining new fans.
I fully expect him to become undisputed at super flyweight, at some point in 2026 and then he can secure that dream fight with Naoya Inoue.
Rodriguez has a great personality and if he continues to hoover up the world title belts, then he will become the face of the sweet science.
Queensberry/Leigh Dawney
Chris Oliver
Shakur Stevenson bids to become a four-weight world champion against Teofimo Lopez on January 31, live on DAZN PPV, and the winner could be set to take over from Terence Crawford as the face of boxing in America.
I fancy that man to be Stevenson and given his desire to take on the best, he could have a couple more big fights in 2026 if he gets past Lopez.
If he goes on to clean up at super lightweight, or steps up again to beat the likes of Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney, then Stevenson may be the name on everyone’s lips at the end of 2026.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
Mark Lelinwalla
Everything is set for Shakur Stevenson to be the face of boxing by the end of 2026.
If he can outbox Teofimo Lopez at Madison Square Garden, and live on DAZN PPV, on January 31, luring Gervonta 'Tank' Davis back into the ring for a showdown would decide this generation's best.
As the heir apparent to Terence Crawford, it is Shakur Stevenson's time.
Watch Itauma vs. Franklin with a DAZN subscription
Raising star Moses Itauma faces his toughest test yet against Jermaine Franklin on Saturday, January 24, as part of the Queensberry Magnificent 7 fight card. Watch exclusively with DAZN a subscription, monthly and annual options available.
