The Copper Box Arena played host to a bruising heavyweight contest on 31 January 2026, as Ergal Elezaj emerged victorious after six fiercely contested rounds against Will Howe. In a fight that never dipped in tempo, both men delivered a display that underlined the appeal of all-action heavyweight boxing, with Elezaj doing enough to earn a points success on the referee’s card.

From the opening bell, it was clear this would not be a cautious affair. Both fighters weighed comfortably north of 18 stone and immediately set about imposing themselves. Howe looked to establish his jab early, attempting to create space and dictate range, while Elezaj responded by standing his ground and looking to counter sharply as his opponent stepped in.

The early rounds were tightly fought, with neither man willing to concede an inch. Howe pressed forward with intent, trying to force exchanges on the inside, but Elezaj showed composure under pressure, picking moments to step back and fire straight shots down the middle. The action was relentless, yet controlled, with both fighters showing that this was more than a simple slugging match.

As the bout progressed, Elezaj’s accuracy began to tell. While Howe continued to march forward and work the body with determination, Elezaj found gaps with well-timed hooks and short uppercuts. His ability to punch while moving backwards proved particularly effective, allowing him to score cleanly without absorbing unnecessary punishment.

The middle rounds saw the contest settle into a compelling rhythm. Howe enjoyed periods of success when he was able to close the distance, but Elezaj consistently answered back, ensuring there was little separation on the scorecard. The referee was kept busy reminding both men to keep it clean, such was the intensity of the exchanges along the ropes.

Conditioning became a key factor in the final stages. Despite the pace, neither fighter showed signs of fading, and the final round was fought with the same urgency as the first. Howe attempted to raise the tempo in search of a decisive moment, but Elezaj remained calm, using footwork and sharp counters to finish the stronger of the two.

When the final bell sounded, the crowd acknowledged the effort of both men, aware they had witnessed a contest worthy of its television platform. The scoring referee returned a 59–55 verdict in favour of Elezaj, reflecting his cleaner work across the six rounds.

The victory continues Elezaj’s steady momentum, following on from his points win over Phil Williams in May 2025, where he also demonstrated discipline and ring intelligence. For Howe, defeat came despite a wholehearted performance that showed resilience and ambition.

On a night that celebrated grit and commitment, Ergal Elezaj and Will Howe delivered a heavyweight contest that lived up to its promise, with Elezaj’s composure and accuracy ultimately proving decisive.