Usyk retains heavyweight titles as division faces structural uncertainty
With only two fights remaining before potential retirement, the heavyweight landscape is shifting toward mandatory obligations and high-stakes domestic rivalries.
Oleksandr Usyk retained his WBA 'super', WBC, and IBF heavyweight world titles by defeating Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven with one second remaining in the 11th round at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who extended his undefeated professional record to 25 wins, endured a gritty contest against an opponent who had competed only once in boxing but carried a formidable kickboxing pedigree. The victory, part of the "Glory in Giza" event, saw Usyk push past Verhoeven’s resistance to secure the stoppage, though the champion has indicated he intends to fight two more times before considering retirement.
The outcome has intensified scrutiny on the division’s governance and mandatory challenger protocols. WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel is widely viewed as the most deserving contender, having built a strong resume by stopping Arslanbek Makhmudov, Frank Sanchez, and Zhilei Zhang. However, there has been little indication that Usyk is interested in facing the German champion. Meanwhile, Frank Sanchez earned his status as the leading contender for Usyk’s IBF belt after a stunning knockout win against Richard Torrez Jr on the undercard. The IBF is expected to order a mandatory title defence within six months, pending clarification of Usyk’s WBC obligations.
Elsewhere in the sanctioning queue, former cruiserweight rival Murat Gassiev holds the WBA 'regular' title and sits high in the line for a unification bout. Gassiev was previously defeated by Usyk in their undisputed clash in 2018. While a rematch with Verhoeven has been touted, it is unlikely to materialise immediately, leaving the 37-year-old kickboxing superstar to explore other options following a performance that demonstrated his ability to compete with boxing’s elite.
Attention is increasingly turning to the anticipated clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury, which is now expected to occur in October or November. Joshua is scheduled to fight Kristian Prenga on 25 July, while Fury may take an interim bout on 1 August in Dublin against Pierce O'Leary or Mark Chamberlain. The scheduling remains precarious, with any injury or withdrawal potentially delaying British boxing’s biggest modern rivalry.
In other division developments, Daniel Dubois defeated Fabio Wardley to become a two-time heavyweight world champion, prompting Wardley to activate a rematch clause. If the series is levelled at 1-1, the WBO title could remain occupied for much of the next year. Additionally, 21-year-old prospect Moses Itauma continues to rise, having stopped Jermainy Franklin in March. Itauma is expected to face Filip Hrgovic on 8 August at London’s O2 Arena, marking a significant step before a potential move towards the winner of the Dubois-Wardley series.
