Matchroom Boxing has unveiled its anticipated early 2026 fight schedule, featuring a compelling lineup that includes two world title bouts, a significant title unification fight, and a heated grudge match. This extensive report comes from ESPN combat sports reporter Andreas Hale, who brings his experience covering MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling, as well as his background as a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News, and his role as a host for Sirius XM's Fight Nation.

The action kicks off on January 24 at the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas, where Raymond Muratalla (23-0, 17 KOs) will make the first defense of his IBF lightweight title. Muratalla, who claimed the vacant title by outpointing Zaur Abdullaev in May, faces the undefeated Cuban 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz (6-0). Cruz, who made his professional debut in 2023, is coming off an impressive fifth-round stoppage victory over Hironori Mishiro in June, setting the stage for a challenging title defense.

The following week, the focus shifts to Newcastle's Utilita Arena, where IBF junior middleweight champion Bakhram Murtazaliev (23-0, 17 KOs) will put his title on the line against Josh Kelly (17-1-1, 9 KOs). Kelly has been on a strong run, winning seven consecutive fights since his 2021 loss to David Avanesyan. Murtazaliev, who secured his title in 2024 with a knockout of Jack Culcay and finished Tim Tszyu in October 2024, will be making his second title defense and competing for the first time in over a year.

A highly anticipated grudge match is slated for February 21 at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, featuring Leigh Wood (28-4, 17 KOs) and Josh Warrington (32-4-1, 8 KOs). Their last encounter in October 2023 saw Wood secure a dramatic come-from-behind knockout victory over Warrington. Wood aims to return to the win column after a May stoppage loss to Anthony Cacace, while Warrington seeks to avenge his previous knockout defeat and secure his second consecutive win.

Concluding the announced slate, a junior lightweight unification fight between Emanuel Navarrete (WBO titleholder, 39-2-1, 32 KOs) and Eduardo "Sugar" Nunez (IBF champion, 29-1, 27 KOs) will take place on February 28 at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona. Nunez earned his shot at unification with a unanimous decision victory against Christopher Diaz in September. This fight was originally scheduled for March 7 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix but has been rescheduled to an earlier date and relocated to Glendale.