"The top of boxing's most notable weight class is seemingly as wide open as it has been in a long time. While many past stars from the heavyweight division, such as Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and Anthony Joshua, still factor into the title picture, there are plenty of rising contenders who are waiting to pounce on the opportunity to join the upper echelon."
"Usyk currently holds three world heavyweight titles (WBC, WBA, IBF) while Wardley was promoted to WBO champion after Usyk relinquished the belt last year. Will the other belts remain in the same hands? How many fights does Fury have left? Can Joshua and Wilder stake claims to challenge for titles once again? We examine the future of boxing's glamour division. Which fighters will hold world titles at the end of 2026?"
The heavyweight division remains highly competitive and unsettled, combining established champions, veterans and emerging prospects. Oleksandr Usyk holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles while Fabio Wardley holds the WBO after Usyk relinquished it. Mandatory defenses and speculative crossover plans, including a proposed bout with kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, could cost Usyk one or more belts. WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel and WBA regular champion Murat Gassiev stand to be elevated if belts are vacated. Young fighters such as Moses Itauma, Fabio Wardley and Richard Torrez Jr. are poised for title opportunities as veterans like Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder remain relevant.
Read at ESPN.com
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