The Sweet Science: Boxing Highlights and Headlines

Zuffa Boxing 03 in Las Vegas: Knockouts and Momentum

Zuffa Boxing 03 took place last weekend on Sunday the 15th, marking yet another step in the UFC‑backed promotion’s push into mainstream boxing. The event took place at Meta APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the main event, Nigerian heavyweight contender Efe Ajagba delivered a statement performance by stopping former IBF heavyweight champion Charles Martin via fourth-round TKO. After a strategic few rounds, Ajagba dropped Martin in the third before battering him in the fourth, prompting referee Thomas Taylor to halt the bout at 1:11 of round four. The victory improved Ajagba’s professional record to 21-1-1 with 15 knockouts, and offered a clear demonstration of his power and progression as a legitimate threat among boxing’s larger men. Martin’s record fell to 30-5-1 with 27 KOs.

In the co-feature, Umar Dzambekov further electrified the crowd with a spectacular second-round knockout of veteran Ahmed Elbiali in the light heavyweight division. Dzambekov’s perfectly timed right uppercut not only ended the fight but has been widely discussed as a contender for “Knockout of the Year” honors, cementing the Austrian’s rising stature within the 175-pound ranks.

Underdog Jaybrio Pe Benito scored a third-round TKO over Abel Mejia in a spirited lightweight battle, and Russian lightweight prospect Dariial Kuchmenov extended his perfect record to 10-0 with a fourth-round TKO of Jorge Lagunas. On the undercard, Oswaldo Molina outboxed Joshua Clark over six rounds for a unanimous decision, while Mark Beuke claimed a hard-fought split decision over Antonio Woods.

As a result of Zuffa’s fight cards, the heavyweight division conversation has begun to shift. Ajagba’s emphatic win over a former world champion has revived debate about his capacity to ascend into deeper contention, especially as he vocalizes ambitions for top ten matchups and larger opportunities ahead.

Meanwhile, the boxing world is also abuzz with comments from Dana White following Zuffa Boxing 3, in which he sharply criticized established promoters and complained about perceived complacency within traditional boxing promotional infrastructure. White’s remarks, delivered in a post-fight press conference, emphasized his intent to disrupt the status quo and cement Zuffa Boxing as a major player.

Zuffa’s strategy seems to include integrating boxing with UFC’s fanbase, using digital streaming, aggressive fight cards, and crossover appeal. Fighters like Antonio Woods have publicly spoken about Zuffa as a platform to advance careers outside of traditional boxing promotional systems, suggesting that the promotion is also trying to recruit mid‑tier talent looking for fresh exposure.

There is reported industry chatter that Zuffa is exploring teaming up with larger broadcasters and Netflix for premium fights like Fury vs. Joshua later in 2026, potentially elevating its profile even further. These plans were reported via promotional insiders but remain unconfirmed at press time.

Mario Barrios vs Ryan Garcia in a High-Stakes Welterweight Title Fight

Mario Barrios faces Ryan Garcia this Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Barrios (29‑2‑2, 18 KOs) is the reigning WBC welterweight world champion and will defend his title against Garcia (24‑2, 20 KOs), former WBC interim lightweight champion. Some fans and analysts question whether Garcia deserves a world title shot given recent losses and his lack of wins at welterweight, while others see him as a marketable challenger whose star power elevates the fight’s profile.

Barrios’ championship reign has seen him tested, including a controversial draw with Manny Pacquiao, and this fight will be his most high-profile challenge since that result. For this fight, Barrios has teamed up with Hall of Fame trainer Joe Goossen, who previously coached Garcia on three occasions. Barrios and Goossen say the collaboration has brought fresh refinement to his skills.

Garcia’s last high‑profile victory, a three‑knockdown majority decision over Devin Haney in 2024, was overturned after a positive ostarine drug test, and he served a 12‑month suspension. He returned in May of 2025 with a unanimous decision loss to Rolando Romero in his welterweight debut. On February 7th, Garcia was fined by the WBC for missing the 14‑day weight check deadline for his fight with Barrios. The fine was resolved, and he remains eligible for the title bout.

The Barrios-Garcia card will also feature several undercard attractions including Gary Russell Jr. vs. Andy Hiraoka and Richardson Hitchins defending his IBF super-lightweight title against Oscar Duarte.

Shields vs Crews‑Dezurn II 

Claressa Shields will face Franchón Crews‑Dezurn in a rematch on Feb. 22, 2026 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. This undisputed heavyweight championship bout comes nearly a decade after their first meeting as professional fighters. They faced each other three times as amateurs, with Shields winning all three bouts.

Deontay Wilder: From Comeback to Competitive Fights 

Former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder is still considered dangerous and remains a major draw in the heavyweight division. Wilder is scheduled to fight Derek Chisora on April 4, 2026, at The O2 Arena in London. Wilder has publicly stated that a matchup with Oleksandr Usyk remains in his sights as a meaningful fight, however a bout has yet to be confirmed.

Tyson Fury Set for Comeback vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov 

Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (34-2-1, 24 KOs) is officially scheduled to return to the ring on April 11, 2026, facing Arslanbek Makhmudov (21-2-0, 19 KOs) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. This fight will be Fury’s first since back-to-back losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024 and his first fight in the UK since 2022. The bout will be broadcast live on Netflix.

Fury shared that his family initially resisted his comeback decision, however he has committed to this bout, which is part of a Saudi-backed three-fight return campaign. Although he reportedly is not currently training with a long-time professional trainer, he has been working out with family and local coaches, along with posting training footage.

Mayweather vs. Tyson Exhibition Scheduled for April

Two of boxing’s most iconic names, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mike Tyson, are reported to be planning an exhibition bout on April 25, 2026, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Multiple media outlets have confirmed that Tyson and Mayweather have tentatively agreed on this date and location for a high‑profile exhibition. However, promoters and sanctioning bodies have not released an official fight contract or confirmed a date or venue.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired from professional boxing undefeated (50‑0) and has taken part in several exhibition matches since 2017. Mike Tyson, 59, last lost a professional fight in 2024 when he took on Jake Paul.

Oleksandr Usyk: The Champion’s Focus & Rumored Paths

Oleksandr Usyk remains the undisputed heavyweight champion after his knockout victory over Daniel Dubois at Wembley in July 2025. Usyk’s team has publicly confirmed ongoing negotiations with Zuffa Boxing; a move that could place the undisputed champ under a new promotional umbrella. On the competitive front, Usyk has reiterated that he wants to fight Deontay Wilder next. It is important to reiterate that no official announcement or fight date has yet to be made. Outside of Usyk’s facing Wilder, there are speculative names being thrown into the mix.

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