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What does Usyk title exit mean for Itauma, Joshua, Fury and more?
Oleksandr Usyk is no longer the heavyweight champion world - so what does that mean for boxing’s top glamour division?
Having recently held the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, the mercurial Ukrainian star has relinquished all of his major straps, scattering them to the wind.
With the veteran's decision though, a world of possibilities have opened up for the rest of his rivals across the next few months and beyond.
Usyk, still The Ring champion, is reportedly chasing a showdown with Deontay Wilder or Jon Jones, while a rematch with Rico Verhoeven could also figure in his plans.
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Below him though is a pack of fighters of all eager to step into his shoes as he preares to bow out - and already, moves have been made to fill his vacant belts.
The WBC has already found a solution, with Agit Kabayel upgraded to full champion after he held interim honours with the organisation for a lengthy period.
Meanwhile, the WBA appear almost certain to elevate Murat Gassiev to their Super strap, having been in possession of their Regular crown since late 2025.
If upgraded, the star will defend that newly acquired title this month against Tony Yoka, while plans are currently underway for Kabayel's first defence later this year.
The issue now is with the IBF who have ordered Moses Itauma and Frank Sanchez to enter into negotiations to arrange a fight with the winner taking top honours with that governing body.
Itauma vs Hrgovic for the IBF heavyweight title?
The major stumbling block there is that Itauma already has a fight scheduled with Hrgovic, but is there any chance that could be made for the IBF title?
Sanchez is above Itauma and Hrgovic after his win against Richard Torrez in May, and there could be a decision to make between many groups to see if Itauma vs Hrgovic could have a major prize at stake when they meet in August.
Itauma and Hrgovic are both ranked very high with the IBF, but a request will need to be made by the fighter’s representatives, and the IBF have often been strict when applying the correct rules to their title fights.
Frank Warren’s Queensberry will promote that show and in an ideal world the IBF would allow it to be for the full title with the winner making a mandatory first defence against Sanchez at the backend of this year or early 2027. Sanchez could also be financially compensated in the meantime, but it will be the IBF who have the final say on this matter.
Below the immediate championship picture is the small matter of Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua which currently looks like it will go ahead with no titles on the line.
If the pair would've been taking on tougher assignments this summer, then there’s a chance the IBF could've put one of their minor belts in the mix with each fighter then receiving a higher ranking. The IBF have made their current position known, but even without no belt, the biggest heavyweight fight out there at the moment could still bring title significance for the victor as well as incredible bragging rights.
Fury and Joshua are ranked within the top seven of three governing bodies and the man who emerges victorious in their speculated fight at the end of this year can expect a significant boost. It’s uncertain where the loser can go, but with Usyk seemingly near the end, he could be joined by whoever draws the short straw between Fury and Joshua.
Those two, Usyk, and Deontay Wilder have created a golden era for the heavyweight division throughout the last decade with many memorable encounters. Their contributions have been immense, but it now appears to be drawing to a close and Usyk’s decision to let go of his titles means a challenge has been set for many fighters to try and create something similar. Time will tell whether they're up for it.
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