By:
Paul Kelly
Five Irish boxers are currently ranked inside the WBC top 10 in December, looking to secure world title fights in 2026.
It could be a big year for Irish boxing in 2026 if any of these names could win a green and golf world title belt.
Five Irish Boxers Ranked In WBC Top 10
With 2025 coming to a close, it’s fair to say it has been a successful one for Irish boxing as a whole. Although there were defeats for some big names, there was also plenty to shout about too.
Lewis Crocker became world champion, albeit against Paddy Donovan, with Caoimhin Agyarko enjoying his best year as a professional too.
Elsewhere, Katie Taylor further solidified herself as the single greatest female fighter on the planet, with Sean McComb closing in on world honours and Anto Cacace adding another big name to his impressive resume.
As 2026 fast approaches, Pierce O’Leary’s Dublin homecoming looks likely for St Patrick’s weekend in March, with Michael Conlan also going on one final run towards world honours next year.
https://twitter.com/MatchroomBoxing/status/1997376780974350510
Although Ireland may lack world champions at this moment in time, that could change in a heartbeat, perhaps even next year. As we approach the end of 2025, a total of five Irish boxers are ranked inside the top 10 with the World Boxing Council (WBC).
This doesn’t include Irish fighters highly ranked in other governing bodies such as the WBA, IBF or WBO, purely just the green and gold WBC.
Ireland’s highest-ranked fighter in the WBC rankings is Callum Walsh at super-welterweight. ‘King’ is currently ranked at #5 with the WBC, with Walsh’s next fight date pending with a big 2026 planned.
Unbeaten super-lightweight contender O’Leary is ranked at #6 with the WBC at 140-pounds, with Michael Conlan ranked at #9 at featherweight.
The other two Irish fighters ranked inside the WBC top 10 are Conor Wallace, #10 at light-heavyweight, and Aaron McKenna, #10 at middleweight.
Several Irish fighters are in strong positions with the WBC heading into the New Year, with possible world title fights looming for several big names from the island.
Here are the Irish boxers included in the WBC Top 10 rankings this month:
🥊 Conor Wallace # 10 Light-Heavyweight
🥊 Aaron McKenna # 10 Middleweight
🥊 Callum Walsh # 5 Super- Welterweight
🥊 Pierce O’Leary # 6 Super-Lightweight
🥊 Michael Conlan # 9 Featherweight pic.twitter.com/vOJIWp2G5t— Tales from the Ring (@talesfromtherin) December 12, 2025
Irish Boxing Could Hit All-Time High In 2026 With Several World Champions
Katie Taylor dismissed retirement talk recently and remains the leading fighter from Irish shores as we approach the New Year.
However, several Irish fighters aren’t too far behind her with some potentially massive nights on the horizon for multiple fighters from the island of Ireland in 2026.
The likes of former world champion Anto Cacace, Sean McComb, Caoimhin Agyarko, Pierce O’Leary and Mick Conlan are just some of the names in a strong position on the world scene as this year comes to a close.
Next year could prove to be one of the most fruitful to date for Irish boxing, with the potential of hitting an all-time high if things work out for several Irish fighters in the New Year.
IT'S ALL OVER!!! 🤯
Anthony Cacace STOPS Leigh Wood‼️#CacaceWood | Live NOW on DAZN pic.twitter.com/HHBd3HQId0
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) May 10, 2025
Cacace’s return is imminent with world title fights just around the corner, with Conlan set for his MSG return on St Patrick’s weekend in New York too.
Several Irish fighters across multiple weight divisions are in favourable positions right now, particularly with the WBC.
Outside of the WBC, various fighters from Ireland hold strong positions with the WBO, WBA and IBF too.
If 2026 turns out to be a positive one for Irish boxing, there could be a host of world champions come this time next year.
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