Alexander Usyk's departure from the heavyweight division has left not just vacant belts, but a genuine power vacuum. In August 2026, the boxing world is trying to make sense of the new reality: who will become the next "undisputed" champion in the super heavyweight division? Experts and promoters are debating which of the current fighters is capable of unifying the titles and continuing the dynasty of great champions.
Moses Itauma: A Phenomenon of the New Generation
Alexander Chepilkov, founder of LuckyPunch media, highlights one figure who could become the next undisputed world champion — 21-year-old Moses Itauma. Despite having only 14 fights in his professional career, the young boxer demonstrates potential that is rarely seen in the heavyweight division at such an early age. According to experts, Itauma has already looked different from his peers in the early stages of his career, including the fight in Saudi Arabia — powerful, technical, and with a clear speed advantage.
The key event of August will be Itauma's fight against Filip Hrgovic for the IBF title, scheduled for August 29. A victory in this bout will make Itauma the second boxer in history to become a junior world champion in the heavyweight division at under 22 years of age — after Mike Tyson. This is critical for his status and future in the division.
Daniel Dubois and Agit Kabaël: Realistic Contenders
Daniel Dubois, holder of the WBO belt, is also considered a serious candidate for title unification. His physical attributes — power, speed, and punching ability — allow him to compete with any opponent. However, experts note that he lacks boxing IQ and psychological resilience. Nevertheless, in a confrontation with Agit Kabaël, the WBC belt holder, Dubois has a chance to win.
Kabaël, in turn, is considered a technically sound boxer but lacks outstanding physical qualities. His style is smart but not destructive. This makes him vulnerable to more powerful and faster opponents, such as Dubois or Itauma.
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua: The Twilight of an Era?
Despite his age, Tyson Fury remains an influential figure in the division. His contract with Frank Warren and connections with other top promoters allow him to remain in the spotlight. However, experts doubt that he will be able to become the undisputed champion. Fury is a money-making machine, but his boxing form and motivation are questionable. In a fight with Joshua, he would likely win, but unifying the titles is now unlikely.
Anthony Joshua, according to most analysts, is no longer capable of regaining his champion status. His defeat by Prenga signaled that his time has passed. Even in a fight with Fury, he would be a clear underdog.
Contradictory Data
There are disagreements regarding the status of the WBA Super belt. On one hand, the organization appointed Murat Gassiev as the sole champion after Usyk vacated the belt. On the other hand, Fury's manager Spencer Brown claims that the belt is vacant and could be put on the line in a fight with Joshua. This creates uncertainty regarding the title status and affects the schedule of future fights.
There are also contradictions regarding Frank Sanchez. After Usyk vacated the belt, Sanchez earned the status of mandatory challenger by defeating Richard Torres. However, promoters decided not to stage his fight with Hrgovic, instead scheduling Itauma against Hrgovic and paying Sanchez a buyout. This raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the process.
The Future of the Division: Scenarios for 2027
If Itauma defeats Hrgovic, and Dubois defeats Worrldy in a rematch, the next step will be a unification fight between Kabaël and Gassiev. Then — a possible bout between the winner of that fight and Itauma or Dubois. Such a scenario would allow for the creation of a new undisputed champion as early as 2027.
However, everything depends on the results of the upcoming fights. If Itauma loses, the division may take a different path — with the dominance of Dubois or even Fury. But, according to experts, it is Itauma who is the most promising candidate for the title of the next heavyweight king.