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The Ring staff weighs in with its picks (UAT)
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The Ring staff weighs in with its picks (UAT)
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Jul 5, 2026
Jul 5, 2026
2 min read
The Ring's website team weighs in on what it hopes is to come before the end of the year.
This is a wishlist – not a suggestion that these fights will happen this calendar year – of what fights we'd get in a perfect world.
Of course, boxing is imperfect. Our editors and reporters submitted their votes and here are the results:
No. 5  photo (Ennis-Ortiz)
5. Jaron Ennis vs. Vergil Ortiz
Ennis showed some vulnerability in the third round against Xander Zayas, but was dominant otherwise in dismantling the previously undefeated, unified champion Saturday night. It appeared we'd have this fight signed and sealed already, but a promotional rift between Golden Boy and Ortiz has stalled talks. Stylewise, an explosive result feels inevitable, though they probably won't fight next.
No. 4 Photo (Iglesias-Sheeraz)
4. Osleys Iglesias-Hamzah Sheeraz
Iglesias could be the most avoided fighter in the sport. Sheeraz needs to capitalize on the momentum he created in 2025 when he bombed out loudmouth Edgar Berlanga and followed that up with winning his first major belt in a mismatch in Giza vs. Alem Begic, an unqualified challenger for the vacant WBO super middleweight strap. Simlar to Ennis-Ortiz, the in-ring chemistry between these two should be combustible.
No. 3 photo (Haney-Garcia)
3. Ryan Garcia-Devin Haney
More would be at stake this time. Both have major belts, with Garcia carrying the WBC welterweight strap and Haney holding the WBO. It would be a rematch from two years ago that was ruled a no-contest after Garcia, who had won a majority decision, tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance. Haney toyed with Brian Norman, a fearsome KO artist who was undefeated, in November. Garcia deposed Mario Barrios, probably the most vulnerable champion holding a major belt who failed to beat Manny Pacquiao at 46. But there's a backstory here between Garcia and Haney and a lot of bad blood that makes this one of the most anticipated fights in boxing.
No. 2 photo (Inoue-Bam)
2. Naoya Inoue-Bam Rodriguez
Rodriguez would have to come up another division to 122, after debuting at 118 earlier last month, in a clash of undefeated kings of the lower weights. An inevitable high-level chess match between the The Ring's No. 1 pound-for-pound (Inoue) and No. 4.
No. 1 photo (Benavidez-Opetaia)
1. David Benavidez-Jai Opetaia
By far, this comes in as the matchup everyone here wants to see most. Guaranteed violence think of Daniel Dubois-Fabio Wardley but fought with higher skill level on both sides at 200 pounds. Both undefeated. It doesn't get any better than that.
The next five (in order of votes received): Ortiz-Sebastian Fundora and Oleksandr Usyk-Agit Kabayel (tied); Benavidez-Dmitry Bivol; Anthony Joshua-Tyson Fury; Daniel Dubois-Moses Itauma
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