What next for heavyweight division after Usyk's win?

By Kal Sajad, BBC Sport boxing journalist

Published 24 May 2026

Oleksandr Usyk triumphantly retained his heavyweight world titles in a challenging match against Rico Verhoeven.

In a riveting contest at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, Usyk, 39, faced significant challenges posed by Verhoeven, securing a victory with just one second remaining in the 11th round.

Despite Verhoeven's limited experience in boxing—having participated in only one prior bout—his impressive kickboxing credentials made him a formidable opponent. This win extended Usyk's undefeated streak to 25 contests. The Ukrainian has expressed a desire to compete in two more matches before contemplating retirement.

As challengers line up for a chance to seize one of Usyk's championship titles—the WBA 'super', WBC, and IBF—the question arises: who will be next for the pound-for-pound great?

Will Kabayel finally get his shot?

Although Usyk retains three heavyweight titles, there is a growing perception that his motivation is shifting away from merely adding to his accolades as he approaches retirement.

Under the rules of boxing sanctioning bodies, mandatory challenges rotate among them, and the next contender for Usyk's WBC title is Agit Kabayel, currently the WBC interim champion. Kabayel is widely recognized as a leading contender for a title shot.

The unbeaten German heavyweight has established a remarkable recent track record, achieving stoppage victories over Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, and Zhilei Zhang, asserting his right to contend for a championship.

However, indications have been sparse regarding Usyk's interest in facing Kabayel in the ring.

On the undercard in Giza, Sanchez delivered a breathtaking knockout against Richard Torrez Jr., elevating his status as a prime candidate for Usyk's IBF belt. The IBF is expected to mandate a title defense within six months, contingent on the resolution of WBC obligations.

Additionally, former cruiserweight opponent Murat Gassiev, who fell short to Usyk in their 2018 undisputed clash, currently holds the WBA 'regular' title and is positioned favorably in the sanctioning queue.

Will Verhoeven box again?

Despite his defeat to the legendary Usyk, Verhoeven earned significant respect for his performance.

The renowned kickboxing champion, who dominated as the Glory heavyweight world champion for twelve years, exhibited the ability to compete with the elite of boxing.

At 37 years old, Verhoeven faces the reality of limited time in his boxing career, yet future opportunities are likely on the horizon.

The path set by fellow crossover star Francis Ngannou, who narrowly missed out against Tyson Fury and suffered a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua, serves as a model for Verhoeven’s next steps.

While a rematch with Usyk has been suggested, it is unlikely to materialize in the immediate future, necessitating Verhoeven to explore other options.

Fury v Joshua is happening... probably

After extensive negotiations and numerous false starts, the anticipated bout between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury seems close to fruition.

First, Joshua must successfully navigate his scheduled fight against Kristian Prenga from Albania on 25 July.

Fury has indicated plans to engage in an interim fight, potentially occurring on the undercard of Pierce O'Leary versus Mark Chamberlain in Dublin on 1 August.

This situation leaves room for complications. One setback—be it an injury, an upset in the ring, or a withdrawal—could again delay what has become British boxing's most hyped rivalry.

Nonetheless, confidence is building that the Joshua-Fury bout will materialize in October or November.

Wardley and Dubois set to run it back

In a thrilling contest on 9 May at Manchester's Co-op Live Arena, Daniel Dubois claimed victory over Fabio Wardley, becoming a two-time heavyweight world champion.

Wardley, celebrated for his inspiring journey from white-collar boxing to world champion, faced his first professional defeat yet enhanced his reputation significantly. He managed to drop Dubois twice in the fight, showcasing his resilience and power as a legitimate contender in the heavyweight ranks.

Wardley has already activated his rematch clause, setting the scene for another encounter.

Should the series bolster a 1-1 tie, discussions will likely shift toward the prospect of a trilogy, a development that could keep the WBO title prominently contested throughout the next year.

Is Hrgovic the next step for Itauma?

Moses Itauma, emerging as a highly promising British heavyweight prospect, continues to gain momentum.

The 21-year-old demonstrated prowess with a noteworthy fifth-round stoppage of Jermaine Franklin in March, making history as the first fighter to halt the American in 27 professional bouts.

A title shot for Itauma is becoming increasingly likely, although Usyk has previously expressed a lack of interest in facing him.

Itauma is gearing up for a fight on 8 August at London's O2 Arena, with Croatia's Filip Hrgovic identified as a leading opponent.

Hrgovic, possessing a formidable background as a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist, recently showcased his skills by stopping Dave Allen decisively.

This match would signify another step up for Itauma as he eyes a future clash with the winner of Dubois-Wardley in 2027. However, a potential fight with Wardley may be complicated due to their shared trainer, Ben Davison.

Additionally, veteran American Deontay Wilder has yet to announce his next move following his victory over Derek Chisora, who is reportedly reconsidering his own retirement, while British champion Richard Riakporhe remains active in the domestic heavyweight landscape.