Hamburg is getting a special kind of boxing event: the Ringside Series 2026 will start in the Fischauktionshalle. The highlight of the evening is IBF champion Nina Meinke’s defense of her world title.
The Heidelberg-based boxing and entertainment promotion Ringside Zone continues its expansion course and brings a unique event format in Germany to Hamburg! In the legendary Fischauktionshalle, the Ringside Zone Gala Night combines top-class gastronomy with world-class boxing matches. The exclusive event is limited to just over 500 guests and officially heralds the start of the Ringside Series 2026. The entire fight night will also be broadcast live on “BILD.de”.
At the center of the evening is IBF featherweight world champion Nina Meinke, who will defend her world title in the very city where she won it. Hamburg will once again be the stage for one of the most important title fights in German women’s boxing. “The fact that Nina Meinke is defending her title in Hamburg is an absolute highlight, both in sporting and emotional terms,” announced Florian Winter, Managing Director of the Ringside Zone, on the fringes of the SPOBIS Conference in Hamburg. “This exclusive boxing gala is emblematic of what Ringside Zone stands for: excellence in sport, exceptional staging and an event experience at a top international level.”
Top German heavyweights in the ring
German heavyweight boxing is also prominently represented: Peter Kadiru, Hamburg’s local hero, wants to position himself once again for an international title fight in 2026 with a convincing performance. Kadiru will enter the ring for eight rounds against Mauricio Barragan from Uruguay. “Boxing in front of this exclusive audience in my home city is something very special,” said Kadiru. “I am convinced that with Ringside Zone we will create formats that will bring German boxing back to the big stage.”
Emanuel Odiase, figurehead of the golden generation of German boxing, will also be in the ring. Odiase is aiming for the tenth victory of his professional career and wants to prepare himself specifically for a possible European championship fight in May. Viktor Jurk, another great hope of German heavyweight boxing, will also step into the ring.
Shooting star on the way to the elite
The explosive light heavyweight Alex Okafor will provide additional momentum. The shooting star wants to add the next exclamation mark to his strong professional start against Ibrahim Yildirim from Düren and recommend himself for a possible German championship less than a year after his debut.
IBF World Champion Nina Meinke is looking forward to the evening with great motivation. “Defending the world title where I won it means an incredible amount to me. This event combines top boxing with a special atmosphere – exactly what our sport deserves.”
More from Nina Meinke in an exclusive interview with BOXSPORT!
With the Gala Night in Hamburg, Ringside Zone confirms its ambition to establish itself as one of the leading boxing entertainment promoters in the DACH region following the successful debut event on 19.07.2025 at the SNP Dome Heidelberg. “Our vision is to rethink boxing – more emotional, higher quality and closer to the people,” concludes Winter. “Ringside Series 26 will show that Germany is ready for a new era of boxing entertainment.” German boxing fans can look forward to an evening that unites sport, style and top performance in an iconic location in a unique way.