The heavyweight division enters 2026 as wide open as it has been in years. Oleksandr Usyk currently holds the WBC, WBA and IBF titles, while Fabio Wardley was elevated to WBO champion after Usyk relinquished that belt. Yet with mandatory defenses looming and a new wave of contenders rising, the landscape could look very different by year’s end.

Usyk is expected to retain at least one belt, though overdue mandatories could see him stripped if he proceeds with a rumored bout against 36-year-old Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven. Agit Kabayel, the WBC interim champion, stands ready to inherit full status if the sanctioning body moves against Usyk, though he may first need to defeat Lawrence Okolie. Meanwhile, Murat Gassiev claimed the WBA regular title in December by stopping Kubrat Pulev and could be upgraded. Moses Itauma may enter the title mix later this year if he defeats Jermaine Franklin on March 28.

Tyson Fury’s return on April 11 against Arslanbek Makhmudov adds further intrigue. The 37-year-old has not fought since a second straight points loss to Usyk in December 2024 but could position himself for a trilogy with the Ukrainian or a showdown with Wardley or Anthony Joshua later in the year. Fury likely has at least three fights left, and a September stadium bout in London looms large if he wins on his comeback.

Joshua and Deontay Wilder remain commercially powerful despite recent setbacks. Joshua’s future is uncertain following personal tragedy late last year, though his earning potential could fast-track him back into a title fight. Wilder, meanwhile, aims to rebuild momentum against Derek Chisora on April 4, with his team targeting a title opportunity in the second half of 2026 if victorious.

Among the younger generation, Itauma stands out as the division’s most electric prospect, chasing history as one of the youngest heavyweight champions ever. Richard Torrez Jr. could make a major leap with a win over Frank Sanchez in an IBF eliminator, while Bakhodir Jalolov and Richard Riakporhe are also positioned to climb.

Overall, with so many moving parts the heavyweight top 10 by December could look dramatically reshaped, but our predictions is that Usyk will remain the man everyone must chase.

Image Credit: DAZN