Local boxing stars Blake Wells and Max Reeves will both fight on the same card at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on January 16, 2026.
They will fight on the undercard of the undefeated Nikita Tszyu and long-time rival Michael Zerafa, in a fight several years in the making and one that will cap months of slander and trash talk, the boxers agreeing to a catchweight bout at 71.5 kilograms.
Wells was set to return on December 17 at the ICC Sydney Theatre but there has been a dramatic change in opponent over the past seven days, resulting in the date and venue switch.
Wells (12 wins, two losses) will now battle Chinese fighter Ainiwaer Yilixiati (20 wins, two losses) in one of the preliminary bouts over 10 rounds. The highly credentialed warrior has knocked 12 of his opponents out.
Wells hasn’t been seen in the ring since April 25, when he beat the highly-rated Andrei Mikhailovich in Newcastle, his fifth consecutive victory.
Boxing is all about opportunity and Wells is keen to grasp this chance against a noted boxer and make every post a winner
Reeves, with an opposing record of 11 wins, one loss and one draw, will take on Nathan Silver, with a four-win, one-loss record, his only blemish against the highly-rated Dominic Molinaro at middleweight.
Reeves last stopped Abdul Abdulrahman in the first round on July 25 at the Pullman Hotel, regaining the Australian Super Middleweight title.
Although he hasn’t been in action for a while, Reeves has still been working hard in the background while enjoying fatherhood for the first time.
