Local boxing stars Blake Wells and Max Reeves are set for plenty of exposure this Friday night, when they take the ring on the undercard of the biggest boxing card the country has seen in years at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
The undercard supports the grudge match between Nikita Tszyu and long-time rival Michael Zerafa, a fight several years in the making. The boxers have agreed to a catchweight bout at 71.5 kilograms, capping months of slander and trash talk. The card is the biggest since Anthony Mundine and Danny Green faced off in 2017 at the Adelaide Oval.
After relatively quiet 2025 campaigns, both Wells and Reeves are keen to start 2026 with a bang, making huge statements in the ring and setting themselves up for a successful year.
Boxing is a sport of opportunity, and circumstances have changed for both: Wells was originally scheduled to fight in December, while Reeves received a new opponent after his first suitor pulled out.
The focus is now entirely on Friday night and a busy week of engagements in Brisbane, including dinners, live workouts, weigh-ins and other fan events for the boxers, their families, managers and training staff.
Wells (12 wins, two losses), who this week won the Aus Boxing “Upset of the Year” for his win over Andrei Mikhailovich, will face Chinese fighter Ainiwaer Yilixiati (20 wins, two losses) for the IBF Pan Pacific Middleweight title. Wells’ manager, Paul Hadden, said victory would guarantee a top-15 world ranking and open numerous doors, noting opponents have been reluctant to fight Wells who has never been stopped.
“The opportunity for Blake is huge,” Hadden said.
“He’s been ready for months, but not many want to risk stepping in the ring with him.”
Yilixiati has 12 knockouts on his record, but Wells is unphased.
“This is the chance I’ve been waiting for, a chance to knock up a win and get among the world rankings,” he said.
“I’ve been fit and ready for months, I can’t wait to climb in the ring.”
Wells, a southpaw, is in career-best shape and has impressed trainer Paul Carroll.
“Blake is a harder worker than ever,” Carrrol said.
“Both boys’ circumstances have changed in recent times, with children entering the equation, but their commitment hasn’t waned.
“He will use his height and reach advantage, working the jab and landing big shots,”
Wells said.
Wells has been sparring with Reeves in preparation, as Yilixiati is a similar style of boxer.
Reeves (11 wins, one loss, one draw) will face Frenchman Sony Abid (nine wins, two losses). Reeves stopped Abdul Abdulrahman in the first round on July 25 at the Pullman Hotel to regain the Australian Super Middleweight title. Although he has not fought recently, Reeves has trained hard while enjoying fatherhood.
“I’ve been working hard, sparring Blake and Dominic Molinaro in Melbourne and a week with the Tszyu brothers in Sydney,” Reeves said.
“I feel great and can’t wait to be part of the show.”
Reeves’ manager, Dylan Bolton, said: “It’s great to get Max on this card. It’s a chance for him to show what he’s capable of on the big stage, which will hopefully lead to more fights on massive cards and a big start to a big year.”
Carroll praised both fighters.
“It’s a huge feather in everyone’s cap to be on the card,” he said.
“The lads, their families and managers all deserve this success. They are fit and ready to show the world what they’re capable of,” he said.
A huge crowd is expected at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, with millions more set to tune in on Kayo.
