Cruiserweight contender Ryan Rozicki is finally ready to turn the page to 2026 after a snakebitten 2025 campaign halted by injuries.

Rozicki will face Gerardo Mellado on March 7 in a 10-rounder to headline a Three Lions Promotions show at Centre 200 in Nova Scotia, Canada, it was announced Wednesday.

"The Bruiser" Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) — The Ring’s No. 5 cruiserweight contender — was supposed to face then-WBC champion Badou Jack in May but was forced to pull out of the fight after a torn biceps that required surgery. Rozicki had a return date set for October against Akani Phuzi, but he aggravated the injury and was forced to recover once again.

Rozicki last fought in December 2024 against Yamil Alberto Peralta in a WBC interim title clash that resulted in a majority draw. Rozicki, 30, has exclusively fought in Canada throughout his 10-year career.

“I have been sidelined for more than a year now due to this injury, and I haven’t knocked anybody out in nearly two years,” said Rozicki. “It’s frustrating, but I can now say I’m 100 percent and ready for what’s to come. I need to get this fight to get me back in the swing of things, and then I’m coming for those world title belts. I’m not overlooking my opponent, either. He can crack. He’s also tough and has been much more active than me.”

Mellado (12-4, 7 KOs), a 33-year-old from Chile, is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision loss in April against Juergen Uldedaj in England.

“Coming into hostile territory isn’t new to me,” said Mellado. “I will be coming to Canada for a knockout, not leaving it to the scorecards like my last fight. And, of course, I want to take Rozicki’s rating with me back to Chile. Lots of people duck Ryan, but not me. I’m a fighter coming to ruin his night in his country.”