The Future of Heavyweights: Stellar Fights Defining the Post-Retirement Era
The heavyweight division is in a moment of transition. With champions and former champions nearing the end of their careers, the question of who will star in the most important fights in the future is inevitable. Alofoke Deportes analyzes the matchups that could shape the course of this exciting category in the coming years.
Some notable names are still seeking a title opportunity or a significant payday. These options will be at stake when WBO interim champion Joseph Parker faces Fabio Wardley in London on Saturday. The winner could secure a title fight in 2026 against undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk.
Since Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, became the most influential figure in boxing, the matchups that excite fans have ceased to be fantasies, materializing thanks to the lucrative purses of the heavyweights.
Usyk, who holds the four titles (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO), has a series of big fights ahead that could capture the attention of fans in 2026, not only for the titles at stake, but for the quality of the matchups.
Possible Stellar Matchups Until 2026
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joseph Parker
Let’s start with the king. Usyk, who recently declared his intention to fight until he’s 41, is coming off a resounding technical knockout victory in the fifth round against Daniel Dubois in July, once again solidifying himself as the undisputed champion. Tyson Fury is also looking for a rematch against Usyk, but the fight against Parker could be the one that materializes first, assuming Parker defeats Wardley this Saturday.
Parker, former WBO champion, has shown a great level in his recent performances and is the mandatory challenger for the WBO. He has been waiting for a title opportunity and seems to be the most likely opponent for Usyk in 2026. The fight could have happened earlier, but a back injury to Usyk led Parker to accept the fight against Wardley.
Could Parker, with his intelligent boxing shown in his victories against Deontay Wilder and Zhilei Zhang, trouble Usyk? Usyk, with his greater mobility and boxing skill, is the favorite. If Wardley, with little amateur experience, surprises Parker, could he be Usyk’s next surprise opponent?
Whether it’s Parker or Wardley, witnessing Usyk, possibly the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis, is an event you can’t miss.
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
Although a third fight between Usyk and Fury is possible, the fight that attracts the most attention and could generate the most pay-per-view revenue is Fury against Joshua.
This showdown, which has been in development for five years, still generates expectations for 2026. However, uncertainty persists. Could Fury face Usyk first and then retire, win or lose? Despite its appeal, the situation is uncertain.
Attempts to finalize a fight between Fury and Joshua have failed since 2020, and the matchup has lost some of its luster, as neither is a world champion at the moment. However, interest in seeing the English rivals face each other remains enormous. Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, recently indicated that Fury wants to return next year, but Fury hasn’t boxed since Usyk defeated him on points in December.
Eddie Hearn, Matchroom promoter, revealed that Joshua, 36, wants the fight against Fury, but several factors are needed for it to happen. Heavyweight boxing is unpredictable and, in an ideal scenario, Fury and Joshua would face each other next year.
Deontay Wilder vs. Francis Ngannou
Wilder vs. Ngannou would be a very entertaining spectacle for boxing and MMA fans. Both are far from the title contention, but their punching power still generates excitement. This fight could offer great emotions and spectacular punches.
Recently, they have exchanged messages on social media, with Ngannou suggesting to “settle the debate” and Wilder responding. Both have reasons to seek the knockout, which could revitalize their careers.
Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, suffered a painful knockout defeat in the second round against Joshua in March 2024. Wilder (44-4-1, 43 KOs), former WBC world champion, had a technical knockout loss against Zhilei Zhang last year, but achieved a knockout victory against Tyrrell Herndon in June.
Wilder and Ngannou are big punchers, and many fans would be interested in seeing who gets the knockout, as this fight would probably not go to the judges’ scorecards.
Anthony Joshua vs. Martin Bakole
With Joshua recovering from elbow surgery and not having fought since his technical knockout defeat to Dubois in September 2024, Hearn indicates that the former champion could face another opponent before Fury early next year.
Bakole (21-2-1, 16 KOs) has recently been linked with Joshua in a fight that could take place in Nigeria. Joshua, with Nigerian ancestry and who lived in the African country during his childhood, could be attracted to the experience of fighting in Africa, with the opportunity to revitalize his career after his toughest defeat.
Bakole, 33 years old, from the Democratic Republic of Congo, seems like a good opponent for Joshua to prepare for a big fight in 2026 with a spectacular victory. Parker defeated Bakole in two rounds in February, although Bakole was a last-minute substitute. Bakole also drew with Efe Ajagba in May.
Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic
Itauma, one of the most promising heavyweights, has a fight scheduled for December 13, but is still looking for an opponent.
Some have already ruled themselves out as potential Itauma rivals. Usyk stated that he does not expect to fight Itauma before retiring, while Kubrat Pulev, “regular” WBA heavyweight champion, chose to face Murat Gassiev on December 12.
Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KOs) will not be in Itauma’s opposite corner on December 13th, but it would be an excellent step forward for the 20-year-old Itauma, who achieved his eighth first-round knockout victory earlier this year.
We haven’t yet seen Itauma’s resilience seriously tested, and Hrgovic’s experience, movement, and boxing could provide that test.
Dillian Whyte, a veteran who fought six rounds against Fury for the WBC world title in April 2022, was defeated in one round by Itauma in August, and the young contender could experience longer and more challenging fights. Hrgovic has suffered cuts in recent fights, but if his skin holds up, his power, experience, and boxing skill should give Itauma more rounds than he’s used to.
Bakhodir Jalolov vs. Daniel Dubois
Jalolov, a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Uzbekistan, is another contender who could rise to the top of the heavyweight division after the era of Usyk, Joshua, and Fury.
Jalolov, who is 2.01 meters tall, is currently in the background and needs a big win to enter the top 5. A fight against Dubois, a knockout specialist, could boost his profile.
It’s a high-stakes encounter for both: Jalolov (16-0, 14 KOs) is undefeated, close to a title opportunity, while Dubois is coming off a knockout loss in the fifth round against Usyk and cannot afford another setback. Dubois, who knocked out Joshua just over a year ago in his first and only defense of the IBF title, hasn’t fought since he lost to Usyk in July and could be tempted by the opportunity to regain ground against another contender.
This matchup has the potential to be an exciting battle between two great punchers with the opportunity to reach the top.
