You're sitting there with your snacks ready, your group chat is blowing up, and you just want to know when the first bell actually rings. I get it. Boxing schedules are notoriously messy. Promoters love to keep things vague to keep you glued to the broadcast for four hours of "analysis" and undercard filler.
But tonight is a big one. We’ve got two major cards happening on opposite sides of the planet, so your "start time" really depends on which part of the world you're tuning into and which fighter you're actually here to see.
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Tonight’s Boxing Schedule: When Does the Fight Start?
If you are following the massive Australian grudge match between Nikita Tszyu and Michael Zerafa, things are already moving. Because of the time difference, that card is the primary focus for the early part of the day if you’re in the West.
For the US-based crowd looking for the Golden Boy card featuring Alexis Rocha and Raul Curiel, you’re looking at an evening start. Here is the no-nonsense breakdown of the main card start times for Friday, January 16, 2026:
- Nikita Tszyu vs. Michael Zerafa (Australia): The main pay-per-view broadcast kicked off at 7:00 PM AEDT. If you are watching from the United States, that was an early morning wake-up call at 3:00 AM EST / 12:00 AM PST.
- Alexis Rocha vs. Raul Curiel II (USA/DAZN): This card is happening at the Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California. The main broadcast is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM EST / 5:00 PM PST.
Basically, if you’re reading this in the afternoon in America, you’ve probably missed the "The Butcher" Tszyu fight live, but the California heat is just about to start.
The Main Event Walkout Mystery
Look, the "start time" on the poster is never when the main event starts. It's a lie. It's always a lie.
For the Rocha vs. Curiel card, DAZN usually moves through the undercard fairly quickly, but you shouldn't expect the main event ring walks until at least 11:00 PM EST / 8:00 PM PST. If the undercard fights all go to a ten-round decision? Add another thirty minutes. If someone gets sparked out in the first round of the co-main? It might move up. That's the beauty—and the frustration—of live boxing.
Who is fighting on tonight’s undercards?
You shouldn't just tune in for the headliners. Honestly, the undercards tonight have some sneaky-good matchups that might actually outshine the main events.
In California, keep an eye on Manuel Flores vs. Jorge Chavez. This is a Super Bantamweight clash that has "Fight of the Night" written all over it. Flores is a knockout artist (16 KOs in 20 wins), and Chavez is undefeated. Someone's "0" is likely going away.
Over in Australia, the big story was the professional debut of Nelson Asofa-Solomona. The former NRL enforcer is a mountain of a man, standing 200cm tall. He took on Jeremy Latimore in a heavyweight crossover fight that had the rugby world talking.
Why the Tszyu vs. Zerafa Start Time Matters
The Tszyu vs. Zerafa fight isn't just another domestic scrap. It’s for a potential IBF world title eliminator spot. Nikita is trying to step out of the shadow of his brother Tim and his legendary father Kostya. Zerafa, meanwhile, is the veteran "bad boy" of Australian boxing who has been calling out the Tszyu family for years.
The atmosphere in Brisbane is electric, and the trash talk leading up to this was genuinely personal. If you're catching the replay, avoid spoilers—the pace was intense from the opening bell.
How to Watch Tonight’s Fights
Don't get caught scrambling for a login two minutes before the main event.
- Rocha vs. Curiel: This is a DAZN exclusive. You’ll need a subscription, but it’s not a separate PPV in most regions. Just fire up the app on your Smart TV or phone.
- Tszyu vs. Zerafa: This was carried by Main Event via Kayo Sports in Australia. For international viewers, check your local sports networks or the No Limit Boxing website for on-demand options.
Don't Miss the Heavyweights
In the California card, there's also a heavy-hitting Super Lightweight bout between Ruslan Abdullaev and Eduardo Abreu. Abdullaev is a prospect from Uzbekistan with a decorated amateur background. These guys from the Eastern Bloc are technically perfect and hit like trucks. It’s worth sitting through the commercials for.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your DAZN app now: If you're watching the Rocha fight, log in at least 15 minutes before 8 PM EST to ensure your account is active and the stream is stable.
- Set a "Ring Walk" Alert: If you only care about the main event, set a phone alarm for 10:45 PM EST. This gives you time to get situated before Rocha and Curiel make their way to the ring.
- Avoid Social Media: If you are planning to watch the Tszyu/Zerafa replay later tonight, stay off X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. The results of the Nelson Asofa-Solomona debut are already trending.
Make sure your devices are charged and your internet isn't being hogged by someone downloading a 100GB game update. Tonight’s matchups are pivotal for the 140 and 147-pound divisions, and a single punch in the early rounds can change the entire 2026 landscape.