Boxing's Biggest February Winners and Losers

From billion-dollar threats to betrayals, the sport saw it all last month

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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February was a wild month in the world of boxing, with major news stories unfolding both inside and outside the ring. This article breaks down the biggest winners and losers of the month, including rising star Ryan Garcia, the entrance of Zuffa Boxing, and the fallout between Conor Benn and Eddie Hearn.

Why it matters

The events of February have set the stage for major shifts in the boxing landscape, with new players like Zuffa Boxing looking to disrupt the established order and long-time rivalries like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao being reignited. These developments will have significant implications for the sport's future direction and power dynamics.

The details

The article highlights several key storylines from February, including Ryan Garcia's career-best performance to claim a world title, Conor Benn's high-profile departure from Matchroom Boxing to join Zuffa, and the announcement of a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. On the losing side, Eddie Hearn was left with a major hole in his Matchroom roster after Benn's exit, while the WBC faced criticism for sanctioning an Oleksandr Usyk vs. Rico Verhoeven heavyweight title fight.

  • Conor Benn left Matchroom Boxing for Zuffa Boxing in February.
  • Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao announced their rematch for September 19.

The players

Ryan Garcia

A 27-year-old American boxer who recently claimed his first world title by routing Mario Barrios.

Conor Benn

A British welterweight boxer who left his long-time promoter Matchroom Boxing to join the new Zuffa Boxing promotion in a lucrative deal.

Zuffa Boxing

A new boxing promotion backed by Saudi investors that is looking to disrupt the established order in the sport.

Eddie Hearn

The head of Matchroom Boxing, who was left with a major hole in his roster after Conor Benn's departure.

Floyd Mayweather

The retired American boxing legend who is set to face Manny Pacquiao in a highly anticipated rematch.

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What’s next

The judge in the Conor Benn case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow him out on bail.

The takeaway

The events of February have set the stage for major power shifts in the boxing world, with new players like Zuffa Boxing looking to challenge the established order and long-standing rivalries being reignited. These developments will have significant implications for the sport's future direction and the careers of its top stars.