Heavyweight boxing enters a new era after Usyk: Who gets his old belts?
Oleksandr Usyk sparked a revolution in the heavyweight division (photo: Getty Images)
Oleksandr Usyk has decided to vacate his championship titles, setting in motion a major reshuffle in boxing's premier division. Fans can now look forward to a blockbuster battle between promoters and a series of high-profile mega-fights for the belts, citing LuckyPunch.
A look back: Usyk's undisputed triumph
Oleksandr Usyk is a unique figure in world boxing. His journey to becoming a three-time undisputed champion began in the cruiserweight division. In 2018, after defeating Murat Gassiev in the World Boxing Super Series (WBSS) final, he collected all four major belts for the first time - WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO.
After moving up to heavyweight, Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua twice, taking and successfully defending three titles. Lengthy negotiations with Tyson Fury eventually led to their historic showdown in May 2024, where Usyk captured the fourth belt (WBC), becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. His victory in the rematch against Daniel Dubois in July 2025 only cemented the Ukrainian's dominance.
A new landscape in the heavyweight division
Now, the champion's decision has instantly returned world boxing to an era in which the major titles are once again split among different fighters. This has not only ended the previous monopoly but also opened the door for ambitious contenders who have waited years for their opportunity.
The world's leading promoters have already begun their behind-the-scenes maneuvering, and here's how the new landscape and potential mega-fights could unfold in the near future.
WBC: Frank Warren's British monopoly
The World Boxing Council has already officially named Germany's Agit Kabayel as the new full world champion after he previously held the interim title.
The most likely scenario is a fight between Kabayel and the WBC's No. 1 contender, former world champion Tyson Fury. Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions promotes both fighters.
Fury remains a massive box-office attraction, so Uncle Frank is certain not to miss the opportunity to stage the fight in the United Kingdom rather than Germany. Moreover, it would be far more beneficial for Tyson to enter a future mega-fight against Anthony Joshua as the WBC champion.
IBF: Anthony Joshua's road to redemption
The International Boxing Federation is shaping up for another major showdown. Mandatory challenger and No. 1 contender Frank Sanchez of Cuba is expected to face fifth-ranked Anthony Joshua.
This matchup is possible because of legal technicalities: the No. 2 spot in the IBF rankings is currently vacant, while the third- and fourth-ranked contenders, Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgović, will face each other to determine the WBO mandatory challenger.
Promoter Eddie Hearn will do everything possible to make AJ a world champion again (especially since the IBF belt was the first world title of Joshua's career). If Anthony wins the IBF title and Fury claims the WBC belt, their long-awaited clash will become not just a battle between two British veterans but a full-fledged title unification bout.
WBO and WBA: Familiar faces return
The situation surrounding the other two belts is no less intriguing.
WBO: The title Usyk vacated last year was picked up by Fabio Wardley, who has already lost it to Daniel Dubois. Now, Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgović will compete for the right to challenge Dubois.
WBA: With Usyk vacating the full WBA title, the World Boxing Association will give its regular champion, Usyk's former cruiserweight rival Murat Gassiev, a chance to fight for the full belt. His likely opponent will be mandatory challenger and controversial American Jarrell Miller. Miller has signed with Matchroom Boxing, and Eddie Hearn will do everything possible to return his fighter to the top.
