Heavyweight boxing: What will happen to Oleksandr Usyk’s world titles and this division will be taken by Moses Itauma? | Debate News
Oleksandr Usyk has managed the heavyweight division in recent years. He established himself as the best boxer in this division by defeating Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
Although he has never lost a professional fight, he has now chosen to vacate all of his remaining world titles.
It’s been a big change in heavyweight boxing, new faces and new names are fighting for the belts.
Sky Sports breaks down what will happen with the major championship belts…
WBC
The WBC moved quickly to crown a new champion. Agit Kabayel, the German heavyweight, has been their interim roster since knocking out Zhilei Zhang in February 2025. That made him a mandatory opponent for Usyk and he should have boxed next in a full WBC championship.
With Usyk looking at other options and vacating the title, the WBC promoted Kabayel and he is now their world heavyweight champion.
Kabayel has been identified as a potential fallback to Tyson Fury if his fight with Anthony Joshua falls through. Fury is a former WBC world champion and is currently ranked as the organization’s No. 1 contender.
The IBF
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Frank Sanchez landed a big right hand to knock out Richard Torrez Jr and put himself back in contention against the best heavyweights in the world. Highlights courtesy of DAZN and Ring Magazine
The IBF has yet to release his heavyweight title fight. Frank Sanchez is the top seed and the Cuban team fully expects him to be able to fight for the vacant belt.
He would need an opponent, though. After Sanchez, the next heavyweights ranked at the top of the IBF list are Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic. Itauma, still only 21 years old, is a promising fighter, rising to the world level to they will face Hrgovic on August 29. The winner of their fight could fight for Sanchez for that vacant belt.
The WBA
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Murat Gassiev knocks out Kubrat Pulev with a HUGE punch! Pulev vs Gassiev was the main event in IBA boxing at IBA Pro 13 in Dubai. Images courtesy of DAZN
The WBA already has a second or ‘regular’ world heavyweight title in Murat Gassiev. Usyk was a ‘grand’ champion, meaning full world champion and Gassiev will likely be promoted in the same way as Kabayal by the WBC.
“Oleksandr Usyk said he will relinquish his heavyweight titles, but he must first submit his decision that he is writing to the WBA – then it will be official. Once he does this, we fully expect Murat Gassiev to be promoted to champion,” said Gassiev’s promoter Al Siesta. Sky Sports.
“Then it is Murat’s goal to consolidate the division. However, first he faces a real test on July 11 against Tony Yoka in Moscow. We must not take the victory lightly. God willing, Murat has won – then we can continue and face the big names. Dubois, Itauma, Joshua, Fury. We are ready”.
Who will take over?
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Moses Itauma delivered a knockout to stop Jermaine Franklin in the fifth round of their fight at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. Photos courtesy of X @DAZN
Last year Usyk vacated the WBO title. Daniel Dubois won that belt in his great fight with Fabio Wardley. Dubois, a terrific striker, is expected to reunite with Wardley later this year so he won’t be able to appear at any combine until 2027.
At that time Itauma could have made a name for himself as the best player in the heavyweight division.
Delicious Orie former Olympian and heavyweight champion told Sky Sports: “Kabayel is doing very well for himself right now, but if you say take charge, I think Moses is the man. It’s not just a boxer who can be a world champion, I think it’s a team.
“I know he has a great promoter, that’s why I signed with that promoter. I think Frank Warren is a great producer and I think Moses will be the best.”
