Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk continues to top the heavyweight rankings of the authoritative American magazine The Ring, even though he has recently lost several championship belts. According to Sport RBC.UA citing the publication, Usyk retains the status of "number one" in the unofficial but most cited The Ring classification based on his overall achievements, with British boxer and reigning WBO champion Daniel Dubois listed as the closest challenger for his spot.
Who is Contending for the Number One Spot
According to the updated The Ring list, the top five contenders alongside Dubois include British boxer Tyson Fury, Croatian Filip Hrgović, and British fighter Fabio Wardley. Promising Australian Moses Itauma is also in the top ten, occupying the eighth spot according to the publication, while Anthony Joshua failed to make the top 10. Thus, despite losing his titles, Usyk remains above all active division champions in The Ring rankings.
Dubois vs. Wardley Rematch: Context of the Upcoming Bout
Top contender Daniel Dubois will face Fabio Wardley in a rematch in the coming days—on October 17, 2026, in London, broadcast live on DAZN. Their first bout took place in early May 2026, when Dubois won by technical knockout in the eleventh round, although he himself hit the canvas twice—in the first and third rounds. The outcome of this fight directly impacts the balance of power in the division and determines who will claim top contender status in The Ring rankings.
Usyk's Plans for 2027: Fury or Benavidez
Oleksandr Usyk himself, according to available information, plans to hold two high-profile bouts in 2027. Among the most realistic options is a third fight against Tyson Fury, provided the Briton defeats Anthony Joshua in Cardiff in December. Usyk's priority option is reportedly a bout with undefeated American David Benavidez, who intends to move up to heavyweight. Both scenarios maintain Usyk's role as the division's top ticket-seller and explain why The Ring magazine continues to keep him at the top of the rankings.
Usyk Also Leads in Other Classifications
It is worth noting that Usyk's supremacy in the heavyweight division is confirmed not only by The Ring. According to ESPN, the Ukrainian also tops the updated ranking of the world's best fighters in the division, and he similarly holds the top spot in the talkSPORT classification, while Tyson Fury drops out of the top 5 in several lists. The combination of these rankings establishes a consistent picture: Usyk remains the division's primary fighter according to leading specialized publications, and the battle for his status in The Ring will unfold between Dubois, Fury, Hrgović, and Wardley.
