Unbeaten no more? DAZN experts predict the fighters to lose their unbeaten record in 2026

It feels like 2026 could be a year when the old guard pass the mantle and the silverware to the new, with a lot of the modern greats entering the backend of their careers.

That presents a huge opponent for raising stars to realise their potential and cement themselves at the top of their respective divisions. 

But with big rewards comes big risks as those reputations, rising career trajectories and unbeaten records are put to the ultimate tests in 2026. 

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, as careers are made and broken, champions defeated and new kings and queens anointed.

With so much on the line for so many top level fighters our DAZN News boxing experts have been examining which could lose their unbeaten records as they put it all on the line to reach for the stars.

Which fighter will lose their unbeaten record in 2026?

Matt Astbury

Following His Excellency Turki Alalshikh’s desire for a super middleweight fight between Diego Pacheco and Hamzah Sheeraz , it will be Pacheco.

Sheeraz is a real threat at 168lbs with his punching power, and after being put down by Kevin Lele Sadjo, Pacheco could suffer something similar or worse against Sheeraz.

Sheeraz is a much harder puncher, and if he can land on Pacheco, then there is only one winner, and the American is no longer an unbeaten fighter.

Chris Walker

Lewis Crocker's  status as world champion could be brief if fights with the likes of Devin Haney and Conor Benn can be made.

Crocker displayed brilliant resilience to move past Paddy Donovan on two occasions, but bigger tests lie ahead for the Belfast man and that could see him come unstuck.

Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

Chris Oliver

Junto Nakatani  may be on the pound-for-pound list and unbeaten in 31 outings, but he is on a collision course with compatriot Naoya Inoue and that could danger for him.

The bantamweight champion steps up 122lbs to face Sebastian Hernandez Reyes on the Ring V: Night of the Samurai card on Saturday , live on DAZN PPV, with Inoue headlining against David Picasso in defence of his undisputed status at super bantamweight.

If both are successful, they look likely to clash in May 2026 in one of the most highly-anticipated fights in boxing right now, but one in which Nakatani might finally meet his match.

It promises to be the biggest fight in Japanese history and I wouldn’t want to oppose Inoue, who is also unbeaten in 31 outings and continues to dominate the lower weights.

Mark Lelinwalla

If Jaron 'Boots' Ennis and Vergil Ortiz Jr. clash, someone's pristine record should get its first smudge.

Expect Ennis' ability to pot-shot cleanly to be an issue for Ortiz. However, Ortiz' grit and penchant of wearing on opponents, grinding them down, could very well put the first loss on Ennis' ledger in this battle of undefeateds.

I'd give Ortiz the slight edge to do just that.

Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Andrew Steel

After a frustrating year at cruiserweight, Jai Opetaia has decisions to make about his future - but will 2026 prove to be the end of his reign near the summit?

The star has seen off three lesser opponents in convincing fashion, but has also arguably seen his talents stagnate with a lack of quality opposition to face him.

If he finally gets a unification with Gilberto 'Zurdo' Ramirez, or if he steps up to heavyweight for good, the reward comes with risks that may rob his perfect record.

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