Zuffa Boxing’s weight classes show how the promotion intends to structure its version of the sport: fewer classes, fewer gray areas and one clear title path per division.
Building on Zuffa Boxing’s first events in 2026, the promotion operates under a streamlined eight-division model that removes several of the customary “intermediate” weight classes used elsewhere in boxing.
The thinking is straightforward. Consolidation, transparency and one championship route in each division.
Zuffa boxing weight categories
The following weight classes were recognized in early Zuffa Boxing events:
Heavyweight: 200+ lbs
cruiser weight: 200 pounds
Lithe heavyweight: 175 pounds
average weight: 160 pounds
welterweight: 147 pounds
Lithe: 135 pounds
featherweight: 126 lbs
bantamweight: 118 lbs
With fewer divisions, promotion forces a more strict championship picture. Players who would normally play in the super or junior divisions must choose a line.
One champion per division
Unlike customary boxing organizations, Zuffa Boxing has its own belt in each weight category.
The promotion does not recognize titles awarded by other sanctioning bodies and instead controls its own championship line in each division.
The goal is one title shot per weight, not multiple belt holders competing under different banners in the same division.
How rankings are determined
Zuffa Boxing uses Ring Magazine rankings enabling the identification of the best players in their divisions.
This adjustment ties Zuffa’s matchmaking to existing independent structures, rather than creating a separate internal list from scratch.
It also helps explain how Zuffa is preparing for his first championship fight. March 8 Jai Opetai is fighting for the first-ever Zuffa Cruiserweight title.
Consolidation instead of expansion
The eight-division structure requires athletes who traditionally compete in the super and junior divisions to adjust their weight placement.
For example, fighters weighing 154 pounds must move up to welterweight or middleweight, depending on their intended placement.
Callum Walsh had to change weight from 154 pounds (super welterweight) to 160 pounds (middleweight) before his Zuffa debut, which showed that the system favors consolidation over adding more titles and divisions.
Broadcast and schedule
All twelve Zuffa Boxing events scheduled for 2026 will stream exclusively on Paramount+.
Zuffa 04 is already scheduled for next month, which will provide the promotion with a cohesive platform to implement a division structure and championship model without splitting cards across multiple outlets.
The eight-division structure will remain key to positioning players, identifying candidates and advancing champions in the league.
About the author
Phil Jay is the editor-in-chief of World Boxing News (WBN), boxing veteran with over 15 years of experience. Read the full biography.
Tyson Fury is set to take part in the long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua, but first he needs a warm-up. Now another challenger has been added to the fight, and Fury is “very interested” in the proposed fight.
The long-awaited clash between Fury and Joshua has finally been signed and will take place pending success in their tune-up fights. While Joshua is scheduled to face Kristian Prenga next month, Fury remains without an opponent for his August outing.
Promoter Frank Warren promised a “good” opponent but he recently ruled out the possibility of the “Gypsy King” facing Joshua’s former defeater Andy Ruiz Jr., who is believed to have priced himself out of the fight.
I’m talking to Play UKJoshua’s other rival, Jarrell Miller, has revealed that Fury is “very interested” in fighting him as he discusses a potential all-American clash with Deontay Wilder.
“I’ve been one of the most avoided heavyweights for a long time. We’re seeing it now. We’re trying to get Deontay Wilder out there. There’s no fight in front of him. I’m the top heavyweight in America right now, so we’re trying to make certain things happen. Let’s see if he can take control.”
“Tyson Fury is also very interested. I would love to fight these guys. Deontay or Tyson would be a wonderful fight for me. Let’s see if we can make it happen.”
Fury’s manager, Spencer Brown, recently confirmed both fighters’ desire to make the fight happen, but said Miller would likely not be able to complete a full training camp on time.
The American has already scored two victories in 2026, defeating both Kingsley Ibeh and Lenier Pero, and the 37-year-old hopes those triumphs will earn him another chance on the huge stage.
Zuffa Boxing has announced that its first event in Ireland, branded Zuffa Boxing 10, will take place on Saturday, August 8 at the 3Arena in Dublin. Organizers of the promotion, headed by Dana White, said details about the main event, joint performance and ticket sales will be announced soon.
DUBLIN, ARE YOU READY?? 🇮🇪 #ZuffaBoxing10 is coming to you LIVE from @3ArenaDublin! | August 8
According to the promotion, the card will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland and streamed on Paramount+ in the US and Canada. Its broadcasts in the UK and Ireland are covered by a long-term contract with Sky Sports announced in March.
The expected headliner of the Cork middleweight gala will be Callum Walsh (16-0, 11 KO). according to 42 and Irish boxing, although Zuffa has not confirmed this card. Walsh won Zuffa Boxing’s debut event on January 23 in Las Vegas with a unanimous decision over Carlos Ocampo and has not fought since. The Cobh native, trained by Freddie Roach, fought mainly in the United States, but once boxed in Dublin, headlining the 3Arena gala after his victory over Przemysław Runowski.
The 42 reports that Monaghan’s Aaron McKenna (20-0, 10 KO) is set to be the main support for an IBF middleweight world title fight against Italian Etinosa Oliha (22-0, 10 KO). Both pairs are expected to fight for the vacant belt that became available after Janibek Alimkhanuly was stripped of his belt following a failed anti-doping test. McKenna is third in the IBF rankings and Oliha is second.
Dublin will be Zuffa Boxing’s second card outside the United States. The first event, Zuffa Boxing 07, will take place this Saturday at the Bournemouth International Center in England, where former world cruiserweight champion Chris Billam-Smith will face Ryan Rozicki in a 10-round cruiserweight main event.
The August 8 date means the Dublin gala will take place a week after Queensberry Promotions’ show at the same venue, headlined by Pierce O’Leary against Mark Chamberlain, with Tyson Fury scheduled to appear.
Frank Warren believes Tyson Fury will not only beat Anthony Joshua when the long-awaited heavyweight clash finally happens, but also stop him.
The All-British clash is scheduled for November, after a delay from its earlier summer date. Warren confirmed that Fury signed a contract for the fight in January, and both men are expected to undergo interim fights before the fight becomes official.
When asked how he sees the fight developing, Warren made it clear he expected Fury to win and pointed to Joshua’s knockout loss to Daniel Dubois as a major factor.
“I think Tyson will win,” Warren told Secondsout, predicting a Tyson Fury knockout over Joshua.
“I think Tyson will stop him.
“Did you see him fight Daniel Dubois? That gives me that confidence. I was sure Daniel Dubois would do it and he did it, and I’m sure Tyson will do the same in brief order, no matter what catches him.”
Earlier in the interview, Warren also suggested that Joshua was still feeling the effects of the Dubois defeat.
“He has the specter and cloud of what happened when he fought Daniel Dubois hanging over him. So, you know, he’s vulnerable if he gets caught now,” Warren said.
Joshua is scheduled to return on July 25 against Kristian Pregna, while Fury is scheduled to fight his own warm-up fight before November. Warren said the location for the proposed blockbuster has yet to be determined, though he confirmed the fight remains signed and will likely take place later this year, provided both heavyweights win their fights.
Olly Campbell is a boxing journalist covering this sport since 2014, providing reports from the ring and technical analyzes of the most crucial fights. His work focuses on fighter tendencies, tactical adjustments and the details that shape high-level competition.
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