Boxing News – September-October 2026
Summary
Boxing's 50 most influential people are ranked in the September-October 2026 issue of Boxing News (Vol. 82 No. 09), headlined "BOX NEWS 50 — The Power List". Dana White — the Zuffa boss who wants to "tear down and rebuild boxing" — features in an exclusive interview that reveals his blueprint for the sport's future.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman (page 18) explains recent WBC decisions, while John Hedges (page 42) carries the "Hitman" Hatton legacy. Brian Mitchell (page 48) is remembered as the champion who made 12 defences abroad, and Mike Costello (page 52) — the voice of TV and radio boxing — goes full circle in his career retrospective.
The Retro section (pages 56-72) draws on the Boxing News and Boxing Monthly archives, with Yesterday's Heroes and Miles Templeton's history of boxing. Action pages (73-97) include fight diary, ratings, small-hall round-up and full UK results, while Breaking Barriers (page 96) covers women's boxing news and ratings. The Amateurs section (pages 98-103) rounds up the unpaid code.
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Content Guide
▸ Power List / Interviews / Retro / Action / Breaking Barriers
p.22 · The Power List — Boxing's 50 Most Influential People
The cover feature ranks the individuals who shape boxing globally — promoters, fighters, broadcasters, regulators and managers. The methodology is not disclosed, which invites debate, but the list itself generates conversation. The top 5 includes two promoters, one broadcaster, one regulator and one active fighter. The list is designed to spark argument — and it will succeed.
p.36 · Dana White — No Laughing Matter For the Zuffa Boss
White sits down with Boxing News to discuss his ambition to restructure professional boxing. He argues the current model is broken and that his Zuffa Boxing promotion can deliver a cleaner, more fan-friendly product. The interview is combative and quotable. White confirms Zuffa Boxing will run its first card in Q1 2027, headlined by a heavyweight fight that he says "will shock people".
p.18 · Mauricio Sulaiman — President Explains WBC Decisions
The WBC president addresses recent controversial rulings, including the heavyweight mandatory situation and the organisation's stance on brain-health protocols. He defends the WBC's record on safety while acknowledging the sport faces a "brain-injury reckoning". The WBC has funded 14 ringside doctor certification programmes in 2026 alone.
p.42 · John Hedges — Doing 'The Hitman' Proud
Hedges, the young light-heavyweight carrying the Hatton family name into a new generation, discusses his training, his famous uncle's influence and his own path. The piece avoids overhyping his prospects. Hedges has fought 16 rounds in 3 pro fights — his team is not rushing him. His next fight is scheduled for November in Manchester.
p.48 · Brian Mitchell — Champion Who Made 12 Defences Abroad
A retrospective on the South African super-featherweight who defended his world title in 12 different countries, a record that still stands. The article draws on archive material and interviews with opponents. Mitchell's 1993 defence in Argentina against Ramon Cruz drew a crowd of 42,000 at River Plate Stadium. The clip is on YouTube — worth watching for the atmosphere alone.
p.96 · Breaking Barriers — Women's Boxing News and Ratings
The dedicated women's boxing section covers rankings, upcoming fights and news from the female professional and amateur codes. The heavyweight division is highlighted as the most active weight class this quarter, with five ranked fights scheduled between October and December.
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Editor's Take
A landmark issue for the Power List alone — it will be quoted, argued over and used as a lobbying tool for years. White's interview is genuinely newsworthy, and the Brian Mitchell retrospective is a masterclass in archive-based feature writing. Weak area: the Retro section feels padded despite the strong Mitchell and Costello pieces. Best for: Boxing insiders and hardcore fans who want the annual Power List and Dana White's unfiltered plans.
Strengths
• The Power List is an annual editorial event for the sport
• Dana White interview with specific Zuffa Boxing timeline
• Brian Mitchell retrospective with 12-country defence data
Weaknesses
• Retro section has too much filler between the good archive pieces
• Action pages could use more international coverage beyond UK results
Verdict: Essential — The Power List makes this a reference issue; White's interview is the second-biggest exclusive Boxing News has landed this decade.
