Oleksandr Usyk is backing Anthony Joshua to go uncontested again, a projection that doesn’t match where Joshua currently sits in the heavyweight order. The former unified champion does not hold a belt and is out of the immediate title picture, yet Usyk has put himself at the forefront of a future run.
“Maybe Anthony can become the undisputed champion in 2026 or 2027,” Usyk said in a recent interview via CDaly15, discussing a timeline that would require Joshua to move past several active contenders and title holders already in position.
For Joshua to become undisputed champion, it will require him to defeat the winner of the Fabio Wardley vs. Defeating Daniel Dubois fight to capture the WBO belt, then go after the other three belts once Usyk relinquishes them. There is an excellent change Joshua needs to fight the likes of Moses Itauma for one of those belts. It will be a tough fight for him to take given his age and history of issues with punchers.
Joshua’s recent stretch has included losses to Usyk and Dubois and a rebuilding phase rather than title activity, leaving him without a direct route to any of the major belts. The current championship picture is already occupied, and the next fights around those titles are being discussed without Joshua. Usyk’s comment puts him back in that conversation without any confirmed route.
Usyk still calls Joshua a champion because of his attitude and toughness, not his belts. He says while also predicting, Joshua will hold all the titles again, even if he is still working his way back to the top of the division.
Nothing has been set up yet to get Joshua into a mandatory spot or a title fight. The timeline Usyk mentioned would require a lot to happen first, like other fighters winning belts and eliminators that didn’t even happen.
Usyk’s comments keep Joshua linked to the top names, even if the title picture moves without him. The route back exists, but nothing is in place yet.
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Last updated on 2026/03/25 at 13:47
