Boxing fans are bracing for a busy weekend as a packed boxing schedule unfolds from July 24-26, 2026. Heavyweight stars Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are both set to return to the ring, though against opponents who aren’t quite in their championship caliber. Meanwhile, Errol Spence Jr. makes his highly anticipated comeback in a crucial middleweight showdown against Tim Tszyu in Australia.
This three-day stretch promises to shape the narratives for several key fighters and divisions. Observers will be scrutinizing Spence’s performance after a considerable layoff, evaluating Joshua’s form following a tumultuous period, and assessing Fury’s latest choice of opponent.
Confirmed main events: July 24-26, 2026
Here’s a breakdown of the notable boxing matchups scheduled for this upcoming weekend. Major names are set to fight across three different continents, offering a diverse array of contests for enthusiasts worldwide.
| Date | Event | Main Fighters | Location | Targeted Bell Time (ET) | Broadcaster (US) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, July 24 | Tyson Fury vs. Mariusz Wach | Tyson Fury (38-2-1) vs. Mariusz Wach (20-fight resume) | Pattaya, Thailand (Max Muay Thai Stadium) | 7:00 a.m. | No US broadcaster secured yet |
| Saturday, July 25 | Anthony Joshua vs. Kristian Prenga | Anthony Joshua (33-4-0) vs. Kristian Prenga (20-1) | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | 9:00 a.m. | DAZN pay-per-view |
| Saturday, July 25 | Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu | Errol Spence Jr. (29-1-0) vs. Tim Tszyu (27-3) | Sydney Olympic Park, Australia (Afterpay Arena) | 8:00 p.m. | DAZN PPV, Prime Video PPV |
| Sunday, July 26 | Zuffa Boxing 9 | Edgar Berlanga vs. Steven Butler | Madison Square Garden, New York | 4:30 p.m. | Paramount+ |
Tyson Fury’s perplexing selection of opponent
On Friday, July 24, Tyson Fury (38-2-1) will face Mariusz Wach in Pattaya, Thailand, at the Max Muay Thai Stadium. This bout takes place just three and a half months after Fury’s last win against Arslanbek Makhmudov. Many critics view this as another example of Fury opting for a less-than-challenging opponent.
Wach, with a 20-fight professional resume, has a history of losses to UK-based heavyweights. He also suffered a knockout defeat to Makhmudov four and a half years ago. The lack of a secured US broadcaster only further lowers the profile of this particular Tyson Fury bout.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in Jeddah
Anthony Joshua (33-4-0) is scheduled for his return on Saturday, July 25, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He’ll be facing Kristian Prenga in his first fight since stopping Jake Paul last December. This return follows a profoundly difficult personal period for the British heavyweight.
Joshua sustained injuries in a Nigerian car crash not long after the Paul bout. Tragically, this incident resulted in the death of his personal trainer and conditioning coach. Prenga (20-1), a 35-year-old Albanian operating out of New Jersey, boasts an impressive 20 knockout victories. However, his list of defeated opponents, which includes Willie Jake Jr.
and Joey Dawejko, doesn’t feature anyone on Joshua’s elite level. The bout will stream on DAZN pay-per-view.
Undercard for the Joshua-Prenga event
The Jeddah card includes a strong undercard, adding considerable depth to the overall event. Hamzah Sheeraz will defend his WBO super middleweight belt against Simon Zachenhuber. This contest is expected to be a competitive clash.
- Hamzah Sheeraz (WBO super middleweight champion) vs. Simon Zachenhuber
- Josh Kelly (IBF super welterweight champion) vs. Caoimhin Agyarko
- Olympic medalist Oleksandr Khyzhniak makes his second professional appearance
Josh Kelly also puts his IBF super welterweight title on the line against Caoimhin Agyarko. Many pundits have highlighted this particular matchup as a potential fight of the night. Furthermore, Olympic medalist Oleksandr Khyzhniak makes his highly anticipated second professional appearance, an early career outing worth watching.
Errol Spence Jr. vs. Tim Tszyu: A pivotal middleweight encounter
The weekend’s most compelling matchup sees Errol Spence Jr. (29-1-0) challenge Tim Tszyu (27-3, 18 KOs) in a middleweight clash. This fight takes place at the Afterpay Arena in Sydney Olympic Park, Australia, on Saturday, July 25, with an 8:00 p.m. ET start. For Spence, it marks his first time back in the ring since his comprehensive loss to Terence Crawford three years ago.
Spence is making a two-division jump in weight, which raises questions about his performance at this new class. He’s also coming off a significant layoff and has had multiple eye surgeries since a 2019 car crash. Tszyu has competed at middleweight in his last two fights, securing wins against Anthony Velasquez and Denis Nurja.
But, questions about his durability remain after brutal wars with Sebastian Fundora and Bakhram Murtazaliev, making his punch resistance a critical factor against Spence. The pay-per-view is priced at $79.99 for non-Ultimate subscribers and will be available on DAZN and Prime Video PPV in the US, and Kayo Sports in Australia.
Spence-Tszyu undercard details
The main card for the Spence-Tszyu event features a strong supporting cast of fighters. This includes a super featherweight clash between Stephen Fulton (23-2, 8 KOs) and Liam Wilson (18-3, 10 KOs), scheduled for 12 rounds.
- Stephen Fulton (23-2, 8 KOs) vs. Liam Wilson (18-3, 10 KOs) – 12 rounds, super featherweight
- Callum Peters (7-0, 6 KOs) vs. Ivan Ricardo Actis (13-0-1, 9 KOs) – 10 rounds, middleweight
- Koen Mazoudier (15-4-1, 6 KOs) vs. TBA – 10 rounds, super middleweight
Callum Peters (7-0, 6 KOs) also takes on Ivan Ricardo Actis (13-0-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round middleweight bout. Koen Mazoudier (15-4-1, 6 KOs) is set for a super middleweight fight against an unannounced opponent. Notably, Jermall Charlo was forced to withdraw from the card due to visa issues, which prevented his entry into Australia.
Prelim fights before the main card
Before the main card gets underway, the preliminary fights offer additional action for dedicated fans. These include a lightweight bout between Paul Fleming (28-1-2, 18 KOs) and Ahmad Reda (8-0, 6 KOs), scheduled for 10 rounds.
- Paul Fleming (28-1-2, 18 KOs) vs. Ahmad Reda (8-0, 6 KOs) – 10 rounds, lightweight
- Paulo Aokuso (10-0, 5 KOs) vs. Luis Antonio Tejeda (12-0-1, 9 KOs) – 10 rounds, IBF Pan Pacific light heavyweight title
- Tina Rahimi vs. Sacha Ryan Dryden (2-2) – 4 rounds, super bantamweight
Paulo Aokuso (10-0, 5 KOs) will challenge Luis Antonio Tejeda (12-0-1, 9 KOs) for the IBF Pan Pacific light heavyweight title. Tina Rahimi faces Sacha Ryan Dryden (2-2) in a four-round super bantamweight contest, completing the prelim lineup.
Zuffa Boxing 9 closes the weekend in New York
Rounding out the busy weekend, Zuffa Boxing 9 will take place on Sunday, July 26, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The main event features Edgar Berlanga against Steven Butler, with streaming available on Paramount+ starting at 4:30 p.m. ET.
This card consistently showcases a mix of rising talent and seasoned veterans. Richardson Hitchins is set to appear in the chief support against Ricardo Salas, a fight that Sky Sports will also broadcast. Sergiy Derevyanchenko and Otto Wallin are slated for deeper positions on the undercard, adding valuable experience to the bill.
The broader implications of this weekend’s action
This jam-packed weekend provides a fascinating glimpse into the current state of professional boxing. The Errol Spence Jr. versus Tim Tszyu bout stands out as a genuine acid test for both fighters, with significant ramifications for the middleweight division. Spence needs to prove he can still compete at an elite level after a long layoff and a move up in weight.
Anthony Joshua’s return is less about the opponent and more about his personal journey and comeback. His performance will be intensely scrutinized for signs of recovery and renewed focus after a difficult period.
Meanwhile, Tyson Fury’s choice of Mariusz Wach continues to frustrate fans hoping for a decisive, high-stakes unification bout, especially given past negotiations for a Fury-Joshua clash have stalled repeatedly. This weekend’s events will undoubtedly shape discussions around the sport’s trajectory moving into the latter half of 2026.
