Issue #01 March 2026
Editor’s Note
The Opening Bell
Welcome to the first edition of Irish Boxing Digest. Each month, this publication will focus on:
- The previous months main news headlines
- All the key results and talking points
- Irish fighters at home and abroad
- Recap of the Irish amateur scene
- Prospect watch
- Interviews with fighters past and present
- On this day/history corner
As this is the first issue, think of it as Round One. The foundation. In future editions, we hope to continue with fight breakdowns, news, interviews, prospect tracking, and the Irish scene both domestic and on the international stage — from grassroots to championship level. So lets get going!
February reminded us of something boxing constantly teaches: best laid plans can change in a moment. Careers can accelerate in a single night — or stall just as quickly. We saw Brandon Figueroa, travelling to Liverpool, to dethrone the highly favoured Nick Ball. Figueroa’s devastating left hook not only put an end to Ball’s title reign, it also ended talks of a muted mega fight with Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue. Just another example of plans being turned to ruins — and now it is Figueroa that could potentially be on the plane to Tokyo to face The Monster.
News Round-Up
The Gypsy King heads to Tottenham
It was announced that the return of Tyson Fury is set to take place in the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Fury has found the ideal comeback opponent in Arslanbak Makhmudov, a heavy handed but flat footfooted Russian who now has name value in the UK thanks to his win over fan favourite Dave Allen. A refreshed Fury could put on a show inside the ring but his biggest challenge might come in trying to sell out the Spurs ground for his comeback.
Wardley-Dubois
The first defence of Fabio Wardley’s WBO title is set and its potentially the most exciting matchup the heavyweight division can offer. The Ipswich man will go head to head with Daniel Dubois on May 9 in Manchester. Wardley has thrilled fans the last few years, upsetting the likes of Justis Huni and Joseph Parker but he may have to go up another level to beat the power punching former champion in Dubois. If Dubois is mentally on his game, which has always been a question, he just might have too much firepower for Wardley.
Zuffa Boxing sign Benn
In July 2022, when Conor Benn failed his drug test his career looked, Eddie Hearn was the one to put his own reputation on the line to stand with him. Hearn and Matchroom managed to some how resurrect his career and helped Benn become a multi millionaire. In February, it was announced that Conor Benn has repayed Hearn by leaving his stable and signing with his rival, Dana Whyte and Zuffa Boxing. The news sent shockwaves through the sport and time will tell if it is a good investment by Dana as he tries in his efforts to take over boxing.
Fight of the Year
The biggest fight of 2026 will potentially take place outside of the ring and in the court room. Word began circulating in late February that Queensbury Promotions boss, Frank Warren is planning on suing Saudi Arabia’s Sela and TKO Group claiming that their exclusive partnership breaches a previous deal between the Saudi’s and Warren. The fallout of this courtcase could have huge ramifications for the sport and who will be the main power brokers going forward.
JB Promotions go again in April
Jay Byrne seems to be single handedly keeping boxing going in the south of Ireland. On April 4th, he hosts another Dublin show in the National Stadium. A fight for the vacant Irish Middleweight title has already been confirmed between Paul Ryan and Peter Carr. With more match ups to be confirmed it promises to be another great night at the home of Irish boxing.
May-Pac 2
The rematch nobody was asking for other than the taxman was confirmed in February. With rumours of Floyd Mayweather’s financial troubles, it was no surprise that a big fight was confirmed. He will once again trade leather with fellow great Manny Pacquaio. The outcome is insignificant to the boxing landscape, but it does give Pac Man a chance to gain a level of revenge and inflict a first defeat on Mayweather’s still perfect record.
Amateur News
Ireland send their Elite squad to the Strandja Cup in Sofia, Bulgaria with boxing having begun on February 21st.
| 50 kg – Louis Rooney | 70 kg – Jon McConnell |
| 55 kg – Patsy Joyce | 70 kg – Terry McEntee |
| 60 kg – Jude Gallagher | 80 kg – Josh Olaniyan |
| 60 kg – Adam Hession | 80 kg – Kelyn Cassidy |
| 65 kg – Dean Clancy | 85 kg – Nathan Ojo |
| 65 kg – Jason Nevin | 90 kg – Jack Marley |
Updates on how they got on in next month’s newsletter.
Prospect Watch
Every issue we will highlight one fighter as a top prospect to look out for in 2026, week one is new Irish Heavyweight pro Adam Olaniyan.
Adam Olaniyan
Record: 0-0(0)
Age: 19
Promoter: Queensberry Promotions
It’s difficult to call someone a prospect when they haven’t even made there debut yet but things are different for Jobstown native Adam Olaniyan. The multiple times Irish amateur champion and Youth World Gold Medalist will have the weight of a country on his shoulders. But something tells us the 6’6 heavyweight will relish the pressure.
He has made the decision to base himself in Liverpool under the guidance of Paul Stevenson and excitement is building towards his debut appearance on the Jazza Dickens – Anthony Cacace show. It is arguable that he is the best prospect Ireland as ever had at heavyweight and fans will watching with great interest to see how he kicks off his career on March 14.
Upcoming Fights — March Preview
Sebastien Fundora vs. Keith Thurman
At 37, Keith Thurman is getting what could be one final chance to regain a world title. But the veteran former welterweight champion is facing a monumental challenge. He is up against the tall, very tall, champion from Mexico, Sebastien Fundora. Fundora seems to be getting better each fight and he should have too much for Thurman. The Florida native has always carried power and is dangerous but I don’t think that will be enough to see him prevail against the “Towering Inferno”. Expect Fundora to gain control early on and after a few visits to the canvas for a bloodied Thurman, he will be mercifully saved by the referee.
Prediction: Fundora stoppage in 6
Jazza Dickens vs Anthony Cacace
Big time boxing comes back to Dublin with a headliner to match the excitement. Both veterans, with very similar careers and now seemingly at their peak’s. When Dickens shocked the Russian, Albert Batyrgaziev to become world champion in Turkey, he could be forgiven for taking an easy first defence. But instead he will enter a hostile 3Arena with an Irish fanbase that has been starved of big fights. And this has the makings of a classic. The Belfast man, so much on the side lines of the sport due to lack of opportunities, has shown in the last 2 years why he has been so avoided throughout his career. Dickens is as tough as they come but I feel Cacace is just that bit better in every area and will become a two time world champion.
Prediction: Anthony Cacace Points
Michael Conlan vs Kevin Walsh
One week on from the Dublin show, the rehabilitation of Michael Conlan continues against undefeated but unknown Kevin Walsh from America. Any unknown quantity can be a banana skin but if Conlan can build on his impressive performance against Jack Bateson, he will have plenty of big fight options. If they both come through, an all Belfast clash with Cacace could be on the cards. Like most Americans, Walsh will be confident but I feel if Conlan can get through the early rounds without any major scares he should box his way to a clear points win.
Prediction: Michael Conlan Points
On This Day
Date: 01 March 2008
Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez III
On 1st March 2008, two Mexican warriors met in Carson, California to settle their historic trilogy. Each of the previous two fights where fight of the year candidates and this was no different. Both had a stoppage win a piece and each where fully confident of victory. After another toe to toe war, this time going the full 12 rounds, it was Vazquez who won a split decision verdict to retain his WBC Super-Bantamweight Title. The trilogy was so good that they decided to meet for a fourth time in 2010, and the score was levelled up at 2-2 when Marquez scored an early stoppage of Vazquez. Both fighters had great careers but it was their rivalry that really placed their names in the annals of boxing history. In December 2024, Israel Vazquez sadly lost his battle with cancer and passed away and will always be remembered as one of Mexico’s bravest fighters along with his 4 time opponent and countryman Rafael Marquez.
Final Bell
That’s it for the first issue of Irish Boxing Digest we hope it has added something to your enjoyment of the sport
In the months ahead, our intention is to build momentum and produce more quality content. We have interviews coming up with new Irish pro Bobbi Flood, Offaly native and unbeaten super bantamweight Paul Loonam and former US heavyweight contender Dominick Guinn plus many more.
The final bell has sounded. Thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed it please subscribe.
Until April.
IRISH BOXING DIGEST 
Leave a comment