A Look Ahead in Women’s Boxing 2026 and Possible Showdowns

 

By David A. Avila

When it comes to women’s boxing Claressa Shields is the top of the food chain and will be opposed in combat with old friend Franchon Crews-Dezurn at the end of February.

It’s a rematch that kicks off 2026 with a bang.

The return to the warzone between the never-been-beaten Shields (17-0, 3 Kos) and the always surprising Crews-Dezurn (10-2, 2 KOs) happens on Sunday Feb. 22, at Little Ceasars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. DAZN will stream that fight card.

Anyone who saw that fight in person remembers the instant sparks that erupted in the T-Mobile Arena that night in Las Vegas. Their blows could have short-circuited Las Vegas that night.

Ten years have elapsed since that pro debut for both female warriors. Both took different roads to fame and glory like the two samurais in the legend of Musashi. Shields was more recognized for her polished skill while Crews-Dezurn bludgeoned her way to glory.

Now their paths have converged again.

Shields racked up world titles like a gardener gathering leaves after a winter wind. It came easy for her. She blew by undefeated challengers and champions faster than an F-1 racer. Even when the oddsmakers pointed to a former foe in the amateurs as being the one to topple her, Shields blew by her too.

But always in the back of her mind Shields remembered her first pro fight against Crews-Dezurn and would mention it every so often. It was her ace in the hole knowing when she would run out of opponents there was always that woman from Baltimore.

Crews-Dezurn was always overlooked. The former contestant on American Idol could fight too and though she was always bumped by Shields for the top spot as an amateur, the pros seemed more suited for her always aggressive style.

People always over-looked Crews-Dezurn and she always surprised beginning with her first world title. Then she took part in the first clash between Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor where she usurped a fellow super middleweight champion and added those belts to her own collection. No one predicted she would win.

Crews-Dezurn was always calling for a rematch with Shields who was now the top dog in women’s boxing. Now the moment has arrived and their clash will start the new year.

Its going to be a banger.

So, who else is joining the 2026 party in women’s prizefighting?

 

Dream Fights in 2026

Here are just a few suggestions:

Because Most Valuable Promotions has virtually grabbed many of the best female fighters under its umbrella, they can provide great great fights this new year.

 

Ellie Scotney (11-0) vs Dina Thorslund (23-0)

This match between bantams intrigues me the most. Denmark’s Thorslund was rolling past bantams with ease but abdicated the bantamweight throne due to pregnancy. England’s Scotney was waiting for this belts and grabbed most of them with a fighting style that matches the intensity of Thorslund. They are perfectly made for each other and the winner gets Cherneka Johnson.

Scotney and Thorslund are mirror images of each other. Both are aggressive and unafraid to mix it up inside or outside.

 

Amanda Serrano (48-4-1) vs Tiara Brown (20-0)

Serrano is one of three female fighters that put women’s boxing on the map. Her two battles with Katie Taylor caught the eye of millions and put the sport of women’s boxing front row and center.

Tiara Brown has been flying under the radar for many years and finally pinned down Skye Nicolson for one of the featherweight titles. Now that she has a featherweight title and Serrano has all of the other titles its time to for a showdown that could benefit both. Serrano is always willing to help fellow female fighters. And she is willing to beat them up to help them.

This match is easy to make.

 

Alycia Baumgardner (17-1) vs Caroline Dubois (12-0-1)

Apparently Baumgardner and Dubois don’t like each other. Both are under the same promotional umbrella, so this is a slam dunk match to make.

Baumgardner has a counter-punching style while Dubois likes to attack. Both can crack and both have felonious intentions. Who doesn’t want to see this fight. It’s American versus United Kingdom and each has the ability to win titles in multiple weight classes.

Dubois may not be as known to American audiences but she is an Olympic gold medalist and has skyrocketed to the top with a savage style that is always entertaining.

Baumgardner has fans from her willingness to fight just about anyone. So far, her counter-punching style has kept her on the win column despite some very close calls against Mikaela Mayer and Jennifer Miranda which was closer than the judges scores.

Hopefully their match can be done in three-minute rounds.

 

Mikaela Mayer (22-2) vs Chantelle Cameron (21-1)

Mayer was just recognized for her performances last year by various publications. The California-bred fighter captured the welterweight world title and looked spectacular defending it. She always fights at 100 mph and gives fans their money’s worth. Chantelle Cameron is equally as impressive and a match between them at welterweight would be cataclysmic.

Cameron has only one loss but seems focused on fighting Katie Taylor a third time. Meanwhile there is money to be made and Mayer is someone that could bring the heat.

Mayer never blinks when it comes to big fights and she has always mentioned Cameron as a possible foe. A battle between these two could equal Serrano-Taylor. It would be an eye-catching fight for the ages.

 

Gabriela Fundora (17-0) vs Kenia Enriquez (28-1)

Fundora had a quick road to the top but she does carry the artillery to remain on top. She has the height, skill and firepower that seems to scare off the competition. Meanwhile Tijuana’s Enriquez has been avoided by all the world champions for more than a decade. Let’s match them against each other.

Enriquez has been fighting in MMA to make money and has the skill and firepower to deal with Fundora. It might not be a easy fight to make because Enriquez needs a tune up fight to get back in the swing of things to face Fundora. But it can be made.

Fundora needs opposition and there doesn’t seem to be anyone capable at flyweight except Enriquez or possible Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez who could move up in weight.

 

Mizuki Hiruta (10-0) vs Jasmine Artiga (15-0-1)

Hiruta was this publication’s Fighter of the Year for her impressive year in 2025 as she fought four times and defended the super flyweight title four times. Very few fighters fight even three times. Artiga won ger title last year and defended it once. Both women are very athletic.

Hiruta has an ever-improving boxier-puncher style that has enabled her to remain undefeated. She has athleticism that is difficult to match. But Artiga seems just as athletic. They are an even match on paper.

Super flyweights are often overlooked in the USA and Hiruta has signed with an American promoter. Every time she fights she risks it all on foreign shoes. She has a growing fan base and a personality to match her fighting prowess. Artiga is no wallflower and has power too. It’s an exciting match.

 

Yokasta Valle (34-3) vs Kim Clavel (22-2)

Rarely are minimumweights featured on television or streaming. Costa Rica’s Valle and Canada’s Clavel are the rare exceptions. Both are known in their native countries and have also established recognition with American audiences.

Valle has speed, tenacity and endurance to fight nonstop. She doesn’t have big power but can take a shot. She throws speedy combinations like a machine gun and is willing to fight anyone.

Clavel is Canada’s version of Valle and is always eager to test herself against the best. The Canadian fighter is also one of the more cordial fighters in the fight game Her nonstop style matched with Valle will give those punch-counters headaches. They both throw a lot of blows.

 

Katie Taylor (25-1) vs Elif Nur Turhan (12-0)

Katie Taylor has hinted that she is nearing the end of her incredible career. Suddenly there is a new player from Turkey in Elif Nur Turhan who lit up the screen with her display of speed and power in destroying Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira recently.

Taylor wants to fight in Ireland and Nur Turhan has shown no reluctance to fight on foreign soil. Her power and speed travel well and she is an aggressive fighter. A match between the speedy Taylor with her top notch fighting skill would be a big task for the Turkish fighter.

Speed and skill versus power is always an exciting match.

 

Adelaida Ruiz (18-1-1) vs LeeAnn Cruz (11-0)

Southern California’s Adelaida “La Cobra” Ruiz was one of those fighters that could not get that world title match. Finally, she got it and made the best of it and now holds the super flyweight title. LeeAnn Cruz erupted on the fight scene and wants all the smoke.

It would be the battle of the coasts. One from Los Angeles and the other from Philadelphia. Both are cities known for quality boxing.

Ruiz is a free-swinging Mexican-style stalker. She wants to punch you out and is not looking to score style points unless you like knockouts. That’s her goal in every fight.

Cruz is a rocket looking for a target. She has speed and a killer instinct to go along with an aggressive style bent on destruction. She also entertains and loves to scrap. Ruiz and Cruz might make a Fight of the Year candidate if they meet.

 

All these fights mentioned are merely suggestions for the promoters. Several of them are already under consideration and could happen very soon.

Women’s boxing is on the verge of busting out big. Fighters like Serrano, Taylor, Mayer, Shields, Hiruta and others are doing their part. 2026 could be a magical year for women’s boxing.

 

More Fight News

 

Argentina

Maria Gigena (1-0) knocked out Rocio Portillo (0-3) in two rounds on Friday Jan. 9. The super lightweight fight was held in Cruz del Eje.

 

Canada

On Saturday Jan. 17, super lights Klarissa Montoo (0-0) and Joanna Frasczak (1-2) meet four rounds at Edmonton.

 

Chile

On Saturday Jan. 17, feathers Genoveva Candia (1-3-1) and Macarena Arcos (0-0-1) meet four rounds at Puerto Montt.

 

China

OnTuesday Jan. 13, super bantams Mei Kei Wong (0-0) and Yin Yin Au (0-0-1) meet four rounds at Hong Kong.

 

Congo

On Saturday Jan. 17, super welters Lydia Bongwa (0-1) and Yvonne Ochieng (0-0) meet four rounds at Lekana.

 

Germany

On Sunday Jan. 18, heavyweights Annabell Honert (5-0) and Yasmin Al Sayed (0-3) meet six rounds at Landau.

 

Japan

On Tuesday Jan. 13, bantams Nana Yamashita (6-2) and Nodoka Furukawa (5-1-1) meet six rounds at Tokyo.

 

Spain

Minerva Gutierrez (8-5) beat Jasmina Nad (11-38-5) by decision after six rounds on Saturday Jan. 10. The bantam fight took place in Gijon.

 

Thailand

Tassawan Hoiraya (2-5) won by decision after six rounds versus Patcharawan Kaewmued (1-2) on Saturday Jan. 10. The light fly match was held in Pathum Thani. Also, feathers Somwang Sawinchai (6-18-2) and Rawiwan Saikrajang (1-9-2) drew after six.

 

USA

On Saturday Jan. 17, lightweights Chelsey Anderson (8-0) and Alejandra Rojas (5-3-2) meet six rounds in San Jacinto, Calif.

 

Vietnam

On Sunday Jan. 18, super bantams Shanell Dargan (9-2-2) and Sushila Virat (6-3) meet eight rounds at Ho Chi Minh City.