Usyk last fought in July 2025, stopping Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in a defense that carried both sporting and political weight. Since then, there has been no shortage of speculation, but little concrete movement. At 39, Usyk has yet to publicly announce retirement plans, but his remaining time at the top is no longer considered open-ended.
That reality has sharpened the focus on who exactly is next.
The obligatory landscape
The most direct route would be through the sanctioning bodies, although there was a lack of clarity.
Within the WBO structure, Fabio Wardley currently has interim status following his October stoppage of Joseph Parker. On paper, this puts Wardley in line for a title opportunity. In practice, the path from interim champion to mandatory challenger was not automatic, and no enforcement date was confirmed.
The WBC picture is similarly uncertain. Agit Kabayel remains undefeated and has interim recognition after stopping Damian Knyba earlier this month. Kabayel has built momentum, but whether that momentum translates into a mandatory order against an undisputed champion remains an open question.
From Usyk’s side, neither scenario offers any urgency. Both represent credible defenses. Neither carries the inevitability usually attached to a next fight announcement.
Familiar names, familiar questions
Another frequently mentioned option is Murat Gassiev. Gassiev, who now has WBA Regular status, previously lost a clear decision to Usyk in their 2018 cruiserweight final. A heavyweight rematch would be straightforward to position within the sanctioning framework, although competitive interest would hinge on how much Gassiev has developed since that loss.
Lawrence Okolie is also prominent in the WBC rankings after stopping Ebenezer Tetteh in December. Okolie’s physical profile and recent activity keep him in the conversation, though there is little indication that negotiations are active.
Neither of these opponents represents a decisive rivalry. They are available challengers in a division that has struggled to consolidate behind its champion.
The next wave is watching carefully
Beyond the immediate contenders, attention has begun to shift to the fighters who are expected to shape the heavyweight picture after Usyk.
Moses Itauma continues to be discussed as a long-term presence rather than an imminent challenger. He is scheduled to face Jermaine Franklin in Manchester in March, a fight that will likely say more about readiness than ranking.
Another fight attracting interest is Richard Torrez Jr. against Frank Sanchez. Torrez, an Olympic silver medalist, remains undefeated as a professional, while Sanchez represents a higher level of experience. The result is expected to clarify whether Torrez is nearing an elite fight or still a few steps away.
These names matter less to Usyk’s immediate future than to what follows. Their progress underscores the gap between the reigning champion and the division still trying to define its next phase.
Where Things Stand
For now, Usyk remains champion without a clear opponent. The belts are unified. The contenders are qualified, but unseparated. The commercial options have narrowed.
At this stage of his career, Usyk doesn’t need volume. He needs one more meaningful chapter. Whether it comes through a mandatory, a familiar contender or a final calculated defense will say as much about the heavyweight division as it does about him.
And until one of those paths becomes inevitable, the answer to the question remains unresolved.
