Oleksandr Usyk has sent shockwaves through the boxing world by making a major announcement.
On Friday, the WBC, WBA, and IBF world champion confirmed he is relinquishing all of his titles.
The 39-year-old suggested he’d have ‘one last dance’ before calling time on his legendary boxing career.
Oleksandr Usyk‘s bold decision has triggered a scramble that could see three new heavyweight champions crowned in the coming weeks and months. Who will they be? Read on to find out.
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Agit Kabayel – WBC
Oleksandr Usyk was ordered to face 27-0 top contender Agit Kabayel next by the WBC.
The governing body’s interim heavyweight champion got in the ring after Usyk’s controversial win over Rico Verhoeven in May.
This decision to vacate means Kabayel is highly likely to be upgraded to the full champion in the near future.
A mandatory defense will be ordered, but it’s currently unclear who that will be against because Tyson Fury is occupying the #1 contender spot ahead of his planned fight with Anthony Joshua later this year.
Murat Gassiev – WBA
Murat Gassiev is another fighter who is likely to see his championship status elevated very soon.
The 33-2 (1NC) Russian was famously outpointed by Oleksandr Usyk when they fought to crown an undisputed cruiserweight king in 2018.
Eight years later, Gassiev is the WBA regular heavyweight titleholder after knocking out Kubrat Pulev in December.
Gassiev could potentially defend his new title when he faces Tony Yoka in Moscow on July 11.
Moses Itauma is the #1 WBA heavyweight contender and could be ordered to face Gassiev if everything goes as expected.
Frank Sanchez – IBF
The IBF belt is the only one that will truly become vacant after Oleksandr Usyk’s big decision.
Frank Sanchez is their top contender after brutally knocking out Richard Torrez last month.
The number two slot is unoccupied, but the rest of the top five is made up of Moses Itauma, Filip Hrgovic, and Anthony Joshua.
Itauma and Hrgovic will fight each other on August 29 in a clash that could decide who Sanchez faces for the vacant IBF heavyweight title.
If Sanchez wants to fight soon, Bakhodir Jalolov is the next available contender in the IBF rankings.