Boxing News – July-August 2026

Summary

Ricky Hatton's legacy event in Manchester anchors Boxing News's "Our Biggest Ever Issue" — Volume 82 Issue 7 (Jul-Aug 2026), which ranks the BN100: the 100 biggest stars in boxing today (p22). Tim Tszyu (p36) features as Australian boxing royalty living in the spotlight, Kristian Prenga (p34) is profiled as the man looking to derail Fury-Joshua, and Sam Eggington (p44) reluctantly accepts retirement after a warrior's career. The Nearly Men (p38) list boxing's great "no cigar" moments — fighters who came within one punch of glory and never got another chance.

The BN100 (p22) opens as a 14-page pull-out ranking that combines commercial appeal (pay-per-view draws), competitive achievement (world titles, résumé depth), and cultural impact (social media following, crossover recognition). The list includes active fighters from all weight classes, with candid assessments of each entry's position. The top 10 includes Canelo Alvarez, Naoya Inoue, Terence Crawford, and Anthony Joshua among others, with each entry debated in the text.

Tim Tszyu (p36) discusses the pressure of being Australian boxing royalty (his father is Hall of Famer Kostya Tszyu), his move up to 154 pounds, and the American market's resistance to Australian fighters. Kristian Prenga (p34) is positioned as the heavy-handed heavyweight who could spoil the Fury-Joshja negotiations by forcing a mandatory defence. Sam Eggington (p44) gives a reluctant retirement farewell, reflecting on a career that included British, European and world-title fights despite never having the full backing of a major promoter.

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Content Guide

▸ Cover Story
p.22 · BN100 – The 100 Biggest Stars in Boxing
A ranked list from 100 to 1 based on commercial appeal, competitive achievement and cultural impact. The fighter at number 50 who has never fought outside his home country but still makes the list based on domestic pay-per-view numbers.

▸ Features
p.34 · Kristian Prenga – The Fury-Joshua Spoiler?
Profile of the heavyweight who could force a mandatory defence and delay the biggest fight in British boxing. His one-punch knockout power and the management team positioning him for a title shot.

p.36 · Tim Tszyu – Australian Boxing Royalty
Tszyu on the Kostya comparison, his move to 154 pounds, and why American promoters have been slow to embrace Australian fighters. The sparring session that convinced him he could compete at world level.

p.38 · The Nearly Men
Five fighters who came within one punch of glory — Glen Johnson's knockout of Roy Jones, Manny Pacquiao's first fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, and three more. The common factor in each "nearly" moment.

p.44 · Sam Eggington – A Warrior Retires
Eggington on accepting retirement after a career that exceeded expectations despite never having a major promoter's backing. The fight he would change if he could — and why he wouldn't change the career.

▸ Opinion
p.4 · Editor's Letter – Manchester Is Still A Hatton Wonderland
The editor on how Hatton's legacy event connects Manchester's boxing past with its future.

p.6 · View From the Hall of Fame – We Don't Need a Wider Scorebook
Why the current 10-point must system is not the problem — inconsistent judging is.

▸ Regulars
p.48 · Postcard From: South Africa
Ringside from a boxing event in Johannesburg featuring the next wave of South African heavyweights.

p.56 · New Faces
Profiles of three debutants generating early buzz in their divisions.

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Editor's Take

The BN100 ranking is the kind of content that sparks arguments and sells issues — it's well-argued, not just a popularity contest, and the methodology is transparent. The Tszyu profile is timely, and the Eggington retirement piece is genuinely moving without being sentimental. However, the Kristian Prenga feature overstates his relevance — he's a fringe contender being positioned for a payday, not a genuine threat to Fury or Joshua. The Nearly Men piece is well-written but covers ground that boxing fans already know. The Hatton legacy event coverage feels light — for a cover billing, the actual event report is only a few paragraphs in the editor's letter. The advertising in this "biggest ever issue" is noticeably high, with multiple full-page spreads for betting companies that interrupt the editorial flow. The production quality remains the gold standard for boxing print media.

Strengths
• BN100 ranking is detailed, argued and transparently scored
• Eggington retirement piece is honest and emotionally resonant
• Tszyu profile offers genuine access to a major figure

Weaknesses
• Prenga profile overstates his relevance to the heavyweight picture
• Hatton event coverage is thinner than the cover billing suggests

Verdict: Recommended — the BN100 ranking gives this issue long shelf life, though the advertising density and overhyped Prenga feature reduce its impact.