Issue #02 April 2026
Editor’s Note
The Opening Bell
The introduction of the Zuffa championship belt in boxing has sparked debate across the sport, but much of the reaction has leaned toward ridicule rather than excitement. Promoted by Dana White and backed by the new promotion Zuffa Boxing, the belt is supposed to represent a new era in the sport. However, instead of symbolising progress, many critics see it as an attempt to manufacture prestige overnight. In a sport where championships carry decades of lineage, creating a brand-new belt and expecting instant legitimacy ignores the deep traditions that define boxing.
One of the biggest criticisms centres on legitimacy. Unlike established sanctioning bodies such as the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, International Boxing Federation, and World Boxing Organisation, the Zuffa belt is not tied to an established ranking system and holds no championship history. The only connection it has to the fighters is that it was created by their own promoter Dana White. It seems to me, the belt is more like a promotional prop than a legitimate championship something more at home in the WWE. It holds similarities to Ted DiBiasi’s Million Dollar Belt in the 1990s. Promoter Oscar De La Hoya dismissed the title outright, arguing that belts gain meaning through the history behind them—not simply through branding or corporate backing.
The controversy has only intensified because the belt’s existence has already created conflict with boxing’s established structure. When cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia agreed to compete for the Zuffa belt, the IBF moved to strip him of its world title because the fight was considered an unsanctioned contest. The Zuffa title risks isolating fighters from traditional paths to becoming undisputed champions, forcing them to choose between recognition within boxing’s historic lineal list of champions or participation under a new promotional outfit heavily backed by Turki Alasheik.
Ultimately, the Zuffa belt represents a growing shift in how boxing is run: the clash between tradition and what from the outside looks like a hostile takeover by the Saudi’s and Dana White. In a sport already criticised for having too many titles, the Zuffa belt wont solve boxing’s problems—it simply add’s another layer of confusion to an already fragmented landscape. Time will tell how it plays out but I have a feeling that Dana White will soon realise that boxing isn’t the UFC and his time in the sport will be short lived.
News Round-Up
Usyk – Verhoeven
The boxing world was stunned by the announcement that Oleksandr Usyk will defend his WBC heavyweight crown against kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven in a crossover clash set against the iconic backdrop of Pyramids of Giza. Scheduled for May 23, the bout marks a rare collision between elite boxing and kickboxing at the highest level, with Usyk putting his WBC title on the line against the Dutch legend. Usyk has dominated the Heavyweight division over the last 5 years and has earned the right to choose a crossover fight like this, but what I don’t agree with is that it has been sanctioned as a WBC title defence. Agit Kabayal has done everything asked of him and deserved the next shot at the title and the German has come out out as the big loser after the announcement of boxing’s next big event.
Inoue vs Nakatani
Japanese boxing is set for a historic night with the announcement of a blockbuster showdown between Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, a clash widely tipped to become the biggest fight in the country’s boxing history. The bout pits two pound-for-pound elite fighters at the peak of their powers, with Inoue’s relentless pressure and undisputed dominance set against Nakatani’s power, skill, and rising reputation. The fight has been long anticipated and now officially moves from speculation to reality, delivering a defining moment for Japanese boxing on the global stage. Both fought on the same card in December and Nakatani failed to impress and maybe this was what convinced Inoue to take the fight. Inoue will start as favourite but it is looking like it might be the biggest challenge to his dominance.
Croke Park for Katie?
Eddie Hearn is intensifying efforts to secure a fairytale finale for Katie Taylor at Croke Park, with the Matchroom promoter insisting he “has to deliver” the iconic venue for her final professional fight. With Taylor targeting retirement in 2026 and determined to bow out on home soil, talks have resumed with stadium officials as momentum builds toward what Hearn believes could become the greatest sporting event in Irish history, provided the long-standing financial and logistical hurdles can finally be overcome. Hopefully, whatever hurdles Hearn anticipates can be jumped, as Taylor deserves to have a packed out Croke Park to cheer her into retirement. She would sell out the stadium no matter who she fights, but the ideal opponent for me would be her old Olympic rival Natasha Jonas. Their careers have been intertwined since the amateur days and it would be fitting for them to headline the biggest woman’s boxing event in history
Dublin’s new hero
As news of one Irish hero would be retiring in 2026, Pierce O’Leary quickly announced himself as the man to fill the void with a breakout victory in Dublin, capturing the IBO light-lightweight title with a dominant stoppage win over Maxi Hughes at the 3Arena. Roared on by a passionate home crowd, the Dubliner’s relentless pressure and power proved decisive, forcing Hughes to retire on his stool after five rounds and handing O’Leary the biggest win of his career to date. The unbeaten “Big Bang” showcased both maturity and finishing instinct under the lights, later describing the moment as “only the start,” as talk immediately turned to major fights and potential unification bouts following his statement performance on home soil
Amateur News
Team Ireland send a team to Brazil for the World Boxing Cup to take place between April 20-27. It promises to be a top class field and a great chance for a young team to build more international experience
| 50kg | Louis Rooney |
| 51kg | Daina Moorehouse |
| 54kg | Jenny Lehane |
| 55kg | Patsy Joyce |
| 57kg | Michaela Walsh |
| 60kg | Jude Gallagher |
| 65kg | Dean Clancy |
| 70kg | Evelyn Igharo |
| 70kg | Jon McConnell |
| 80kg | Josh Olaniyan |
| 90kg | Jack Marley |
One To Watch:
Steven Cairns
Record: 14-0(9)
Age: 23
He may have been down the undercard on the big 3Arena Dublin show on March 14, but when the dust and the excitement settled after the show it could be argued that the most impressive performance on the night was by Cork’s Steven Cairns. Arnie Dawson stepped in at late notice, but it was clear from the opening bell that he was out of his depth. The Dave Coldwell trained Cairns, was punch perfect right from the start and eventually got the stoppage in the 9th round. With the win he picked up the WBA Continental Lightweight Title and should see himself get a good ranking with that organisation. The current European champion at 135lbs is Rafael Acosta of Spain so he could be a target in the next 12 months. At 23 there is no rush, and with boxing booming in Ireland at the minute, there will be plenty of opportunities to build on his impressive performance in Dublin.
Irish in Action
Apr 3
Glenn Byrne gets a massive late notice opportunity to shine on a Matchroom card on DAZN when he steps in against William Crolla. Byrne, I’m sure knows the odds are against him in the away corner, but he will showing up to win and if he can leave Altrincham with victory a lot of doors will be opened to him.
Derry’s Cahir Gormley will look to move to 2-0 in Pennsylvania against Dominique McBride.
Apr 4
JB Promotion’s put on another Dublin show packed with Irish talent. A new Irish middleweight champion will be crowned when Paul Ryan faces off against Peter Carr. Ryan should have too much for a brave Carr and he could force a late round stoppage. Richie O’Leary will fight Graham McCormack for the vacant Celtic title at the same weight and plans could be in place for both winners to face off in the future. The undercard will feature Senan Kelly and big Daniel Fakoyede.
Apr 11
Caoimhin Agyarko travels to Las Vegas in a 50:50 fight with “The Canon” Brandon Adams. It’s Agyarko’s biggest test of his career but a win will see him mandatory for IBF champion Josh Kelly.
In his first fight since 2024, Craig O’Brien will get the chance to shock Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti in Ontario, Canada. Huge opportunity for O’Brien but if he’s on his game he can go over and get a decision.
Apr 17
Dublin’s Ryan O’Rourke continues a busy month for Irish boxers abroad and will go head to head with fellow unbeaten Alex Vargas. Vargas has been inactive of late but the American is full of confidence heading in the bout. Televised by ESPN in America, it is a huge platform and if O’Rourke can come through with a victory it could set him up for some big fights in the future either at home in Ireland or in the States.
Upcoming Fights — April Preview
Derek Chisora vs Deontay Wilder
April kick’s off with a heavyweight collision where anything could happen in or out of the ring. It’s a retirement night for Del Boy and he has done what he’s always done and that’s give the fans what they want. He could of picked a soft touch, but instead he will stand across the ring from one of the biggest KO artists in heavyweight history. Chisora, known for his durability and forward pressure, will look to drag Wilder into deep waters and test his resilience, while Wilder carries his trademark knockout threat, capable of ending the fight with a single right hand at any moment. There’s no doubt that Wilder is long passed his best but he will carry an awful lot of danger into the ring and Chisora has never been hard to hit. I would love to see Chisora go out on a high but I have a feeling that Wilder will find him an easy target and put his name back in the mix for title fights.
Prediction: Wilder by KO inside 8
Tyson Fury vs Arslanbak Makhmudov
A week later sees the latest comeback of the Gypsy King. Tyson Fury returns to the ring since his pair of defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. Fury’s performances against the Ukrainian where top class and he did push the champion close both times but there were signs of age creeping in. It is hard to imagine a long lay off at age 37 will have done him any good but if anyone can prove the doubters wrong it is Fury. In Arslanbak Makhmudov, he will face a decent test to see if he is still at the level he wants to be, and that is back in the ring with a chance against Usyk. The Russian is coming off a win against Dave Allen, a fight where he was picked as an opponent to lose. He showed that night he was more than just a big puncher and he won a clear 12 round decision. His two losses when he stepped up a level are a worry going in against Fury, first when he was dismantled by Agit Kabayal and then when Guido Vianello outboxed him and stopped him on an eye injury. It was the speed and timing of the Italian that Makhmudov couldnt handle and in Fury he will be facing the master boxer. Even a rusty Tyson Fury should have too much ammunition and variety.
Prediction: Fury by UD
Callum Smith vs David Morrell
On April 19, Callum Smith returns to Liverpool for the first time in 9 years. He will square off against the slick Cuban, David Morrell. It will be Smith’s first fight since his classic with British rival Joshua Buatsi and it is a real test for the scouse hero. Morrell’s sole defeat is against David Benavidez, and that performance is looking better and better with each Benavidez win. He lost a close but clear decision that night. His one fight since that defeat was a tough win over Russian dangerman Imam Khataev. Morrell had to pick himself up off the floor that night to win a decision. Home advantage will be crucial for Smith but the feeling is Morrell might just be a little too fresh for the former Super-Middleweight champion.
Prediction: Morrell by SD
Caoimhin Agyarko vs Brandon Adams
A fight gone slightly under the radar for Irish fans will happen in Las Vegas on April 11. Caoimhin Agyarko gets a big chance to break out onto the world scene. In an official IBF title eliminator, the Belfast man will square off against experienced and dangerous American Brandon Adams. The California native has a wealth of experience and been in the ring with a lot of top opponents, his one title fight came in a 2019 loss to WBC champion Jermall Charlo. His two standout wins came against the same man, Serhei Bohachuk, who he stopped and then beat on points. Adams looks very comfortable both on the front and back foot and stylistically looks very similar to Agyarko. As for the Belfast man, this is the exact type of opportunity he has been calling for. Somewhat avoided in Britain he has had to take the risk and travel to his opponents backyard for the chance of pushing towards a world title shot. 2025 was the best year of his career so far, wins over Ryan Kelly and then Ishmael Davis finally kickstarted his career. I think Adams might be overlooking the Irishman, and if Agyarko can get off to a positive start I think his boxing IQ and underrated power will be enough for the win.
Prediction: Agyarko by UD
Final Bell
The only place we could finish this month is in tribute and thanks to Michael Conlan. For nearly 15 years, the Belfast man has represented Irish boxing at the highest levels and has inspired the next generation of young Irish fighters. From multiple Irish titles to Commonwealth, European, World and Olympic Medals, Conlan made sure the Irish tricolour was waving proudly at the top of podiums all across the world. Ultimately he fell just 3 minutes short of winning a world title in the professionals but he succeeded in thrilling fans both in the north and south of the country and across the Atlantic in New York. He will be missed by Irish fans and we wish him all the best in retirement. For a full in-depth tribute – see our site
IRISH BOXING DIGEST 
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