However, there is a feeling that 2026 can be a much stronger year all around with more of the top names looking to face one another for the biggest prizes in the sport.
There will be some changes coming- Dana White officially enters the promotional game in this combat sport and is looking to push a UFC style model on Boxing... Being backed by Turki Alalshikh certainly helps, although Riyadh Season is not ready to dump the other promoters and big name fighters in the sport for the short-term.
For British Boxing fans, the lack of World Champions has left a void at the top of the sport, but that can begin to change as soon as mid-January before some of the leading new names head out into the ring in the weeks and months ahead.
Hopefully some of the nights set for the first six months of the 2026 season will be announced before the next set of Boxing Picks, but I will also have some more thoughts written about what we could come to see in the twelve months ahead.
Subriel Matias vs Dalton Smith
Let's face facts, no one can be very comfortable with the failed tests Subriel Matias produced a couple of months ago.
Instead of a potential suspension and being stripped of his WBC Light Welterweight World Title, the Champion was backed by the organisation and it has been stated that the amount of PEDs in the system were below the required level to force a suspension.
This still doesn't sit well, although it is ironic that Dalton Smith's Promoter, Eddie Hearn, has been as vocal as he has been considering some of those on his books that had much clearer failures that he expected everyone to ignore.
Dalton Smith has to put all of this to the back of the mind and try and take the next step in his career.
There has been plenty to like about his development, but Smith has been out of the ring for nine months- you could perhaps criticise the resume and suggest there has not really been the bridge between those he has beaten to then facing a genuine World Champion with huge power.
However, Dalton Smith should be well aware that Subriel Matias can be out-boxed and we have seen that in his two previous defeats, while he struggled to pin down Alberto Puello, although earning a somewhat controversial Decision.
If he is allowed to set his feet, Subriel Matias becomes very dangerous, but he can be pushed into awkward positions and the footwork is not as quick as you may expect from an elite World Champion. And so while there is plenty of respect afforded to the Champion, you can also see a pathway towards a successful night for Dalton Smith.
This is a big test for the Sheffield fighter, but he is unbeaten and that will give Dalton Smith confidence in what is likely to be a crowd very much behind the World Champion.
You have to expect Subriel Matias to bring the pressure all night, which is going to make it very difficult for Dalton Smith in a Twelve Round contest.
However, there is a blueprint to beat Matias that Dalton Smith can follow as he looks to take the next step in his career and become another British World Champion.
It will be an upset if Smith is able to win, but there is enough about this British fighter to beat someone who will give him problems at times, but who can be outboxed.
Dalton Smith is unlikely to want to put himself in a position where he is trading punches and so backing him to find a way to win this one on the cards looks a decent opening play to the 2026 season.
Earlier on the same day, Agit Kabayel is back in action as the Heavyweight headlines in Germany.
He has been upgraded to WBC Interim World Champion, but Agit Kabayel has also admitted he thought he might have asked to be a part of a card in Riyadh after putting together a strong run of wins.
An almost twelve month layoff has perhaps slowed some of the momentum, but 2026 is promising to be another big year for one of the top contenders behind Oleksandr Usyk within this Division.
He will be expected to begin with a bang, even against an undefeated opponent.
Damian Knyba has not really fought at this level, but he has fought on big cards and that should help.
The Polish fighter is the bigger man, but Agit Kabayel has chopped down big men in the last several outings and the body work is about as good as anyone in the Division and that could be key to this fight.
The Interim World Champion starts quickly and he should be able to moving in this one as he looks to avoid any drama before making a call to Riyadh and asking to be put on one of the big cards being organised. The last three opponents have all looked levels above Damian Knyba and none were able to hear the bell for the Eighth Round and Agit Kabayel can finish this one without getting into the second half of the contest.
On the undercard, Jadier Herrera is expected to find a way to break down Ricardo Nunez for the WBC Interim Lightweight World Championship.
At 32 years old, Nunez has likely seen his best days and dealing with a power punching youngster may be beyond him.
In his career Ricardo Nunez has shown plenty of resilience, but there have been plenty of early defeats too and Jadier Herrera tends to begin very quickly.
The potential for another firefight exists here and one that ends with the youngster able to produce a relatively early finish.
MY PICKS: Dalton Smith to Win by Decision/Technical Decision @ 4.00 Sky Bet (1 Unit)
Agit Kabayel to Win Between 1-6 @ 2.87 Bet365 (2 Units)
Jadier Herrera to Win Between 1-6 @ 1.61 Ladbrokes (2 Units)
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