Best fighter, fight, KO, prospect and more
Key takeaways
- Boxing could already have a leading candidate for fight of the year, while one of the biggest upsets unfolded on the same card in May.
- With all that happened, and with six months in the books, it's time to look back at the moments that have defined the year so far.
- Fabio Wardley, left, dropped Daniel Dubois 10 seconds into the fight, but couldn't finish his opponent and lost by TKO in Round 11.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
Daniel Dubois, left, got off the canvas twice to defeat Fabio Wardley by TKO in one of the most electrifying fights in the first half of the year. Photo by Matt Mc Nulty/Getty Images Andreas Hale Close Andreas Hale ESPNAndreas Hale is a combat sports reporter at ESPN. Andreas covers MMA, boxing and pro wrestling. In Andreas' free time, he plays video games, obsesses over music and is a White Sox and 49ers fan. He is also a host for Sirius XM's Fight Nation. Before joining ESPN, Andreas was a senior writer at DAZN and Sporting News. He started his career as a music journalist for outlets including HipHopDX, The Grammys and Jay-Z's Life+Times. He is also an NAACP Image Award-nominated filmmaker as a producer for the animated short film "Bridges" in 2024.Follow on X and Nick ParkinsonCloseNick ParkinsonReports on boxing for ESPN.com and has been covering British boxing for over 25 years.Follow on XMultiple AuthorsJul 3, 2026, 07:05 AM ETEmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe first half of the year has delivered plenty of memorable moments, from dramatic fights and incredible knockouts to unforgettable finishes and breakout performances by some of boxing's brightest young stars.
Boxing could already have a leading candidate for fight of the year, while one of the biggest upsets unfolded on the same card in May. Several contenders have also emerged for KO of the year, and one prospect took a major step toward becoming a contender. Another prospect scored a victory that earned him a title shot later this year.
With all that happened, and with six months in the books, it's time to look back at the moments that have defined the year so far. Andreas Hale and Nick Parkinson make their picks for best men's and women's fights, knockouts, upsets, performances and biggest boxing card from the first half of 2026.