Zuffa Boxing Саудын Арабад анхны тулаанаа зохион байгуулж, боксын ертөнцөд өрнөх сонирхолтой тулаанууд

It’s the freakin’ weekend, baby, and you know what that means, don’t you?

That’s right: Wall-to-wall boxing action from multiple corners of the world, with the sport showing no sign of slowing down as we approach the final stretch of 2026.

We have Dana White in Saudi Arabia, a Wembley slot for Viddal Riley, and Diego Pacheco’s return this weekend among plenty of other headlines waiting to happen.

Let’s check out the main talking points this weekend in boxing.

1. TKO takes Zuffa Boxing to Saudi Arabia

Dana White and Saudi Arabia. It was probably only a matter of time.

Zuffa Boxing heads to Riyadh for the first time this weekend for Zuffa Boxing 13, headlined by WBC middleweight champion Carlos Adames and Welshman Gerome Warburton.

Adames (25-1-1, 18 KOs) is the biggest name on the bill and arrives as one of the leading operators at 160 pounds. The Dominican has won his past eight fights and was last seen comfortably defending his title against Austin “Ammo” Williams in March.

Warburton (18-2-2, 2 KOs), meanwhile, has earned this opportunity the hard way. Two consecutive victories over Nathan Heaney have helped revive his career, although stepping in with a world champion represents a sizable jump in class.

There is a rather important detail here: Adames’ WBC belt will not be on the line. The pair will meet over 10 rounds at a contracted 165 pounds — for some reason — giving the champion an opportunity to test the waters at a higher weight without immediately abandoning his middleweight ambitions.

Zuffa has made plenty of noise about its plans for boxing, and getting its product in front of the Saudi audience is another step in that process.

But will Adames vs. Warburton be enough to move the dial? “Watch this space.”

2. Riley headlines in Wembley

Viddal Riley has spent a fair amount of his career being more known for things outside the boxing ring.

But it could all change this weekend, as the Londoner gets his first headline show on Saturday when he defends his European cruiserweight title against unbeaten Frenchman Seydi Coupe inside Wembley’s OVO Arena.

Riley (14-0, 7 KOs) has quietly put together a very respectable in-ring career since turning pro, with his most recent victory arguably being the best of the lot.

The 29-year-old produced an excellent performance against experienced former world title challenger Mateusz Masternak in April, winning comfortably over 12 rounds to claim the European crown.

That victory appeared to put Riley in position for a shot at the IBF world title, but with the situation surrounding the vacant championship still unresolved, he has opted to keep busy rather than sit around waiting for an opportunity.

Adam Davy – PA Images via Getty Images

Enter Coupe (14-0, 9 KOs) as Riley’s mandatory challenger.

He has yet to share a ring with anybody of Masternak’s experience or quality, but an unbeaten record and nine stoppages suggest he should not be dismissed entirely.

Riley will be the overwhelming favorite, particularly with home advantage, but this is precisely the sort of fight where a challenger can make a name for himself by upsetting the plans.

Can Riley become a rare example of a Tottenham fan being happy at Wembley? You bet.

3. Pacheco and Fulghum collide for WBA super middleweight eliminator

Diego Pacheco and Darius Fulghum get an opportunity to move closer to 168-pound gold on Saturday night in California, as the pair meet in a significant super middleweight showdown at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Pacheco (26-0, 19 KOs) has been tipped for big things for some time, and the 25-year-old is beginning to look increasingly comfortable among the division’s leading contenders.

The Mexican-American carries a formidable combination of height, reach and punching power, while his recent victory over Immanuwel Aleem provided another reminder of the threat he poses at 168 pounds.

Standing in his way is Fulghum (15-1-1, 13 KOs), who is hardly short of confidence himself.

The Houston fighter has recovered from the only defeat of his professional career and arrives after a third-round stoppage victory over Yoanki Urrutia in May.

This is unquestionably the biggest opportunity of Fulghum’s career, but he has the power to make life uncomfortable for Pacheco if he can find a way through that considerable reach advantage.

For Pacheco, it is another chance to demonstrate that he belongs in the conversation alongside the division’s elite. For Fulghum, it is an opportunity to gatecrash that conversation entirely.

4. Olascuaga welcomes Olympic silver medallist Martinez

Anthony Olascuaga has become a familiar face in Japan in recent years, but the American flyweight champion gets a rather different experience this weekend.

The WBO titleholder returns to his native Los Angeles to defend his belt against Colombian challenger Yuberjen Martinez.

Olascuaga (12-1, 9 KOs) has enjoyed an impressive run since capturing the world title in Tokyo in July 2024, and Saturday’s assignment will represent the sixth defense of his championship.

The 27-year-old has fought seven of his past eight contests in Japan, making this homecoming a particularly special occasion.

However, Martinez (7-0, 7 KOs) is not traveling to California to make up the numbers.

The Colombian arrives with a perfect professional record and a formidable amateur pedigree, having won silver at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Martinez was one of the standout amateurs of his generation, and his transition into the professional ranks has been remarkably smooth, with seven victories and seven stoppages.

There is obviously a considerable difference between winning an Olympic medal and establishing yourself as a professional world champion, but Martinez has the tools to make this a difficult evening for Olascuaga.

5. Flores and Nunez mix it up in Texas

We can usually trust our friends over at ProBox to deliver one of the best 50/50 fights of the weekend.

And it’s no different this weekend: Friday night boxing takes us to El Paso, where two highly-ranked super lightweights meet in a fight that could have some significant implications for the division.

Mexico’s Bryan Flores and Panama’s Jose Nunez headline inside the El Paso County Coliseum at 140 pounds.

Flores (29-1-1, 16 KOs) has quietly built an impressive record and arrives having established himself as a contender in a competitive division. His only professional defeat came against unbeaten Lindolfo Delgado in 2024, while victories over Starling Castillo and Jonathan Navarro have helped him move back into contention.

Nunez (18-0-2, 8 KOs), meanwhile, has yet to taste defeat and will be looking to extend that run against the more experienced Mexican.

The Panamanian has built his reputation on consistency rather than devastating knockout power, but his unbeaten record and world rankings suggest he is deserving of this opportunity.

It might not have quite the profile of some of the weekend’s other contests, but when you get good, balanced matchups, you usually get good fights!

And how else are you going to spend your Friday night?!