Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his remaining world titles, marking a turning point in the heavyweight boxing division. The Ukrainian boxer, who has never lost a professional fight, has chosen to relinquish his titles, paving the way for new contenders to emerge.
What happened?
Usyk's decision to vacate his titles has sent shockwaves through the heavyweight scene, with several contenders now vying for the vacant belts. The WBC has already elevated Agit Kabayel to its world heavyweight champion, following Usyk's decision to vacate the title.
Why it matters for Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk's decision to vacate his titles marks a significant shift in his career, as he looks to explore new opportunities in the sport. The move has sparked speculation about his future plans, with some suggesting that he may be looking to retire from professional boxing.
What comes next?
The heavyweight division is now set to be dominated by a new crop of contenders, including Moses Itauma, who is set to face Filip Hrgovic on August 29. The winner of that fight could be positioned to challenge for the vacant IBF title, currently held by Frank Sanchez.
The WBA has also announced that it will elevate Murat Gassiev to its super champion, following Usyk's decision to vacate his title. Gassiev will face a real test on July 11 against Tony Yoka in Moscow, before potentially unifying the division.
In the meantime, Daniel Dubois is expected to rematch Fabio Wardley later this year, after winning the WBO title last year. However, Dubois will not be able to feature in any unifications until 2027, by which time Itauma could have established himself as a major contender in the division.
The future of the heavyweight division is now uncertain, with several contenders vying for the vacant belts. One thing is certain, however: the division is set to be dominated by a new crop of talented fighters, each with their own unique style and strengths.
Who will take over?
The answer to this question remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the heavyweight division is set to be dominated by a new crop of contenders in the coming months. With Usyk's decision to vacate his titles, the door is now open for new fighters to emerge and make their mark on the sport.
The WBC has already elevated Agit Kabayel to its world heavyweight champion, following Usyk's decision to vacate the title. Kabayel has been cited as a potential fallback option for Tyson Fury, who is currently rated as the organisation's No 1 contender.
The IBF has not yet ordered a fight for its heavyweight title, but Frank Sanchez is its highest-ranked contender, and his team fully expect him to be able to fight for the vacant belt. Sanchez would need an opponent, however, and the next highest-rated heavyweights in the IBF's rankings are Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic.
Itauma, still only 21 years old, is a hugely promising fighter, stepping up to world level to face Hrgovic on August 29. The winner of their fight could be positioned to fight Sanchez for the vacant IBF title.
The WBA has also announced that it will elevate Murat Gassiev to its super champion, following Usyk's decision to vacate his title. Gassiev will face a real test on July 11 against Tony Yoka in Moscow, before potentially unifying the division.
The future of the heavyweight division is now uncertain, with several contenders vying for the vacant belts. One thing is certain, however: the division is set to be dominated by a new crop of talented fighters, each with their own unique style and strengths.
category: player_focus