From promoters and managers to fighters, trainers and executives, the 2026 Boxing News Power List 50 was decided by a BN panel weighing up each individual’s current reach, relevance and ability to shape what happens inside and outside the ring. This first instalment counts down from 50 to 26, with the remaining 25 names, including the figure judged to be the most powerful person in boxing, following tomorrow.
50. Andy Foster
Los Angeles has, admittedly, become a far less prominent destination for major boxing events in recent years, with venues such as the Staples Center having almost been forgotten.
But make no mistake: the California State Athletic Commission remains a highly-influential regulatory body, currently being steered by Executive Director Foster.
Having held his position since 2012, Foster must be doing something right and has, rather controversially, been a vocal supporter of Dana White’s proposed Muhammad Ali Revival Act.
49. Jeff Mullen
Since stepping into the shoes of Bob Bennett in November 2021, Mullen has served as Executive Director at the Nevada State Athletic Commission and remains the manager of day-to-day operations.
In doing so, he finds himself at the helm of one of boxing’s most significant regulatory bodies, with blockbuster events still consistently taking place in Las Vegas.
The T-Mobile Arena, in particular, has had a busy 2026, hosting the likes of David Benavidez, Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia.
48. Matthew Delaglio
Delaglio became Executive Director at the New York State Athletic Commission in May 2024, amid all the chaos that followed Devin Haney vs Ryan Garcia.
The commission chief therefore signed off on a year-long doping suspension for Garcia, having been compelled to negotiate with the American boxer’s legal team.
Elsewhere in his role, Delaglio is responsible for overseeing safety protocols and regulating events at major venues such as Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center.
47. Dmitry Salita
With a DAZN deal and the bona fide star of women’s boxing – following Katie Taylor’s retirement, that is – Salita is leading the charge of US-specific promoters behind the traditional top three of Top Rank, Premier Boxing Champions and Golden Boy.
Claressa Shields is, of course, his marquee talent, with the ‘GWOAT’ having established herself as a prolific ticket seller and No.1 pound-for-pound female fighter. Other Salita-promoted fighters include heavyweight prospects Pryce Taylor and Brandon Moore.
46. George Rose
While Australian boxing may be some way behind American, British and Japanese in terms of its mainstream appeal, when done right the sport does capture the public’s imagination – and George Rose, with his No Limit Boxing promotion, is at the forefront of a boom period Down Under.
He has brought in the foreign superstar likes of Errol Spence and Devin Haney and promotes Aussie boxing royalty in the Tszyu brothers, as well as courting the casual market with popular crossover contests involving former rugby and AFL players.
45. Robert Smith
Robert Smith continues to preside over the sport’s governing body for the sport in what is arguably the most important boxing nation outside the United States.
This alone makes him a significant man of influence, as the British Boxing Board of Control decides who is and isn’t professionally licensed here in any capacity, but the BBBofC also has a proud record for safety and live event protocols.
44. Robert Garcia
We have almost come to expect that, whenever a Garcia-trained fighter enters the ring, their opponent is likely to be at a severe disadvantage.
Such is the nature of Garcia’s exceptional coaching credentials and, as a manager, too, he is firmly at the helm when it comes to the career of Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez.
Other fighters in his stable include Vergil Ortiz Jr and IBF lightweight champion Raymond Muratalla, as well as Oscar Duarte and Lindolfo Delgado.
43. The Sauerlands
No longer Wasserman Boxing, Kalle and Nisse Sauerland are now behind MF-Pro, the legit offshoot of Misfits Boxing, the “crossover” brand that repels traditionalists and attracts casuals in equal measure.
The Sauerlands are involved in that, too, but MF-Pro shows they still have an appetite for “proper” boxing, having staged Deontay Wilder vs Derek Chisora and fights involving Mick Conlan and Harlem Eubank.
42. Lee Eaton
As Head of Boxing at Frank Warren’s Queensberry, Eaton has an authoritative say over the matchmaking and quality control for each and every card.
He should therefore receive ample credit for helping to deliver such successful events, especially the action-packed show headlined by Fabio Wardley-Daniel Dubois in May.
With the two heavyweights rematching on October 17, the Queensberry schedule also includes delectable main events such as Liam Davies-Nathaniel Collins and Anthony Cacace-Nick Ball.
41. Sergey Lapin
With his own level of influence directly linked to that of Oleksandr Usyk, for whom he serves as team director, it is natural that Sergey Lapin has come down a few rungs now that Usyk has relinquished all his belts and will likely fight no more than one more time.
But Lapin hangs on to a top 50 spot after also taking a guiding role in what remains of Anthony Joshua’s career, and his involvement in Usyk-17 Promotions and Ready To Fight ensures he will remain a key player in Eastern European boxing even after his main charge has retired.
40. Claressa Shields
While her self-proclaimed GWOAT (Greatest Woman Of All Time) status may be disputed by at least a small handful of female fighters past and present, what isn’t up for debate is Claressa Shields’ status as the biggest draw in women’s boxing.
Even without a significant dance partner in recent years and at the higher weights she has favoured, Shields fights are major occasions, both as live events and on television. Her brash character is social media catnip, and she backs up the noise with action-packed performances.
39. Brian Peters
Even with Katie Taylor having sailed into the sunset, Peters would be the first to tell you that he is managing the future star of women’s boxing.
Indeed, Matchroom’s unbeaten Tiah-Mai Ayton certainly looks the part, yet it remains to be seen whether her power and skills can translate to world-class success.
In the heavyweight division, meanwhile, Peters will be fully confident that 20-year-old Queensberry prospect Adam Olaniyan can go on to do extraordinary things.
38. James Prince
Having previously represented Floyd Mayweather and Andre Ward, Prince knows a thing or two about guiding unbeaten American talents to the Hall of Fame.
As such, he is now managing Shakur Stevenson, Keyshawn Davis and Abdullah Mason, who all have great potential to follow the same blueprint.
Stevenson, in particular, seems to be on a similar path to both Mayweather and Ward, with the southpaw also earning a reported fortune through his Zuffa Boxing deal.
37. Sampson Lewkowicz
Veteran promoter Sampson Lewkowicz brought Manny Pacquiao to the American consciousness, which makes it no wonder that he continues to be sought-after by top-flight boxers.
At 75 he remains a key part of contemporary American boxing, most notably due to working with David Benavidez, who has made arguably the biggest breakthrough of 2026.
Lewkowicz also promotes the Fundora siblings, Ramon Cardenas and Mirco Cuello.
36. Eric Gomez
While Oscar De La Hoya remains the face of Golden Boy – and a natural showman, at that – Gomez is instrumental when it comes to handling day-to-day operations.
One can only imagine, too, that he was integral in convincing Vergil Ortiz Jr to drop his lawsuit and remain at Golden Boy as arguably the organisation’s flagship fighter.
Gomez should also be credited for putting together the doubleheader involving Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi and Oscar Collazo-Ricardo Sandoval for October 10.
35. Shakur Stevenson
Slick, speedy, confident and charismatic, with a collection of belts spanning several divisions and nothing even resembling a close fight on his record, much less any blemish, Shakur Stevenson epitomises the modern American boxing star.
Recently signed to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, he is the flagship fighter of the sport’s best-funded new brand and will likely be aggressively pushed, both as a champion boxer and as a crossover character.
34. Eddy Reynoso
For as long as Canelo Alvarez remains a mainstream attraction, even if to a far lesser degree than he once was, Reynoso can consider himself a powerful trainer and advisor.
Having recently recruited WBO featherweight champion Rafael Espinoza, the Mexican coach also trains WBA super-middleweight titlist Jaime Munguia as he continues to guide the careers of talented and high-profile fighters, albeit with their commercial value paling in comparison to that of a prime Canelo.
33. Ari Emanuel
While Dana White and Nick Khan are more commonly associated with Zuffa Boxing, Emanuel nonetheless holds a key position of power as CEO and executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings. Like his colleagues, the American businessman is spinning multiple plates – particularly across the UFC and WWE – yet his involvement in boxing is certainly nothing to be scoffed at.
Having secured heavy investment from Sela – Saudi’s sports and entertainment arm, which owns 60% of Zuffa – Emanuel likely played a part in securing such desirable financial backing. And as Zuffa continues to grow – which, inevitably, it will – so too will Emanuel’s influence.
32. Nakisa Bidarian
Nakisa Bidarian and Jake Paul butted heads a few times earlier in their professional life but have found equilibrium via their co-founding of Most Valuable Promotions.
The Canadian provides the business acumen behind Paul’s enormous public profile and serves as his de facto advisor.
This relationship now looks to be based more on Paul’s place in boardrooms than in boxing rings, as Paul has not fought since his defeat to Anthony Joshua nine months ago, and MVP has quickly grown into the world-leading force in women’s boxing. Bidarian is increasingly the face of the brand.
31. Katie Taylor
Her in-ring career is now in the past, but even if she vanishes tomorrow, Katie Taylor will for a long time remain by far the most influential woman in boxing.
In the lead-up to her farewell fight, which drew more than 80,000 fans to Croke Park in Dublin, countless female fighters freely paid tribute to the Irish icon and singled her out as the primary reason why they were inspired to start boxing.
On top of that, Taylor has done more than anybody to legitimise the female code, both commercially and critically. From filling arenas to drawing millions of viewers to breaking the ground now trodden by world-class women the world over, Taylor is the very definition of influential.
30. Spencer Brown
While known more generally as merely Tyson Fury’s manager – a status of considerable power in its own right – Brown is often at the forefront of boxing’s biggest deals. Having been a grateful beneficiary of the Saudi investment in recent years, the Gold Star boss acts as both a promoter and manager, representing world champions including Agit Kabayel and Hamzah Sheeraz.
But ‘The Gypsy King’ is, of course, his most prized asset, not least because of the eye-watering figures we can only imagine are being discussed for an Anthony Joshua fight. As a close friend to Fury, too, Brown occupies a far more influential position than most.
29. Frank Smith
The second-in-command at Matchroom has traditionally adopted a more low-key approach when it comes to media commitments. But recently, it appears as though Smith has taken major strides towards becoming an outspoken promoter in his own right.
While brokering a deal at the negotiating table is perhaps his bread and butter, the Matchroom CEO is acutely aware that, eventually, he must fill the sizable shoes of master salesman Eddie Hearn. It will therefore do him no harm to continue making media appearances, even if he is yet to inherit the P. T. Barnum-like swagger of his superior.
28. Todd DuBoef
With Bob Arum not getting any younger, his stepson Todd duBoef is increasingly the move-maker at Top Rank.
DuBoef does have legal complications hanging over him, with accusations that he concealed from his employers a deal he signed with alleged crime boss Daniel Kinahan. This is likely why he has preferred to work behind the scenes rather than adopt a more public-facing role.
Still, as president of Top Rank, the line of succession from Arum appears obvious, so long as duBoef remains at liberty.
27. Naoya Inoue
A combination of staying power and a reminder of his excellence during a time of change at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings reaffirmed Naoya Inoue’s position as the very best boxer on the planet.
With Terence Crawford retired and Oleksandr Usyk showing signs of decline, Inoue well outscored compatriot and fellow superstar Junto Nakatani in May. He did so in the 55,000-seater Tokyo Dome, and even that wasn’t big enough. Talk is now of him filling 80,000 seats at the Japanese National Stadium should he face Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in one of the very best fights to be made in boxing.
Inoue is an A-list celebrity at home and for years has been the figurehead of the richest era in Japanese boxing history.
26. Luis DeCubas Jr
The sign of a quality boxing manager has nothing to do with how loud they speak; their value, rather, is measured by whether they make things happen behind the scenes. In that sense, DeCubas has continually proven to be worth his salt while operating as a vital cog in Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions machine.
Even if there is limited space on a PBC card, DeCubas will work closely with the sport’s top promoters and keep his fighters active. This is evidenced by a productive relationship with Matchroom, in particular, as Eddie Hearn often credits DeCubas with brokering significant deals.
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