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ANALYSIS

Right Then — The Summer Heavyweight Schedule Is Taking Shape

From Moscow to Riyadh to the O2, the summer's heavyweight calendar is filling up fast. Here is every fight that matters over the next two months and my early reads.

June 30, 2026 Boxing Lookout
  • Gassiev vs Yoka kicks off the summer on July 11 in Moscow with the WBA heavyweight title on the line.
  • Joshua vs Prenga on July 25 is the last tune-up before the long-awaited Fury showdown.
  • The pick of the lot is Itauma vs Hrgovic at the O2 on August 29 — the night a prospect becomes a contender.

Right then, let's not beat around the bush — the summer calendar is filling up fast, and there is some proper heavyweight business on the way. From Moscow to Riyadh to the O2, the next two months have a shape to them now, and make no mistake, it is the big lads doing the heavy lifting. Here is every fight that matters and my early reads on each one.

Gassiev vs Yoka — July 11, Moscow

First up, Murat Gassiev makes the first defence of his WBA heavyweight title against Tony Yoka at the VTB Arena on July 11. This is a proper crossroads fight. Yoka, the Rio gold medallist, has the pedigree and the size, but he has stalled at times and this is his shot at redemption on the road. Gassiev hits like a lorry and he is at home — that is a dangerous combination. My read: Gassiev's power tells in the second half and he stops Yoka late.

Joshua vs Prenga — July 25, Riyadh

Then it is Anthony Joshua back in the ring against Kristian Prenga at the Kingdom Arena on July 25. Let's call it what it is — a tune-up, the last stop before the big one with Tyson Fury later in the year. But AJ cannot afford a slip here, because the whole world is watching to see whether he still has it. Prenga is durable and awkward, but he is there to be hit. My call: Joshua gets a confidence-building early stoppage and turns his attention straight to Fury.

Itauma vs Hrgovic — August 29, The O2

And then the one I cannot wait for. Moses Itauma against Filip Hrgovic at the O2 on August 29 is the night a brilliant prospect becomes a genuine contender — or gets found out. Hrgovic is the toughest, most experienced man Itauma has shared a ring with, full stop. This is a real levels test. I still fancy Itauma's speed and timing to carry him through, but anyone telling you this is a gimme has not been paying attention.

The Vacant-Title Picture

Hanging over all of it is the vacant WBC heavyweight title, freed up by Oleksandr Usyk walking away, with Agit Kabayel first in the queue. Add in Fabio Wardley triggering his rematch with Daniel Dubois for the WBO strap, and the heavyweight division has more live storylines right now than it has had in years.

So there you have it. If you are asking me which one I would not miss for the world, it is Itauma vs Hrgovic — that is the fight that defines a summer. But make no mistake, the whole calendar is class, and you would be mad to sleep on any of it.

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