The Future of Heavyweight Boxing: Stellar Fights Until 2026
The heavyweight division is constantly evolving, with champions and former champions nearing the end of their careers. Who will be the protagonists of the most important fights on the horizon?
Some prominent names are still looking for a title opportunity or a big payday. Those two options will be at stake when WBO interim heavyweight champion Joseph Parker faces Fabio Wardley in London this 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 powerful figure in boxing, the clashes that fans crave are no longer a fantasy. The significant prizes at stake in the heavyweight category make it possible.
Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) holds the four heavyweight titles (WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO). However, there are many important fights that the division can offer starting in 2026, not only for titles, that would capture the attention of the fans.
Possible Stellar Showdowns until 2026
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Joseph Parker
The heavyweight king, Usyk, has stated that he plans to fight until he is 41 years old. After knocking out Daniel Dubois in the fifth round in July, Usyk was crowned undisputed champion once again. Tyson Fury is also looking for another opportunity against Usyk, but the fight against Parker could be the first to materialize, assuming Parker defeats Fabio Wardley this Saturday.
Parker (36-3, 24 KOs), former WBO champion, has shown a great level in his last fights and is the mandatory challenger for the WBO. He has been waiting for a title opportunity and seems to be the most likely to face Usyk in 2026. The fight could have happened earlier, but an injury to Usyk delayed the plans, allowing Parker to fight Wardley.
Could Parker, with his cunning demonstrated in his victories over Deontay Wilder (2023) and Zhilei Zhang (2024), make things difficult for Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs)? 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 Parker or Wardley is the next opponent, seeing Usyk, possibly the best heavyweight since Lennox Lewis, is an event you can’t miss.
Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua
Although Usyk vs. Fury 3 could happen, the fight that attracts the most attention and would generate the most pay-per-view revenue is Fury against Joshua.
This fight, which has been brewing for five years, could still materialize in 2026. However, what would happen if Fury decides to face Usyk first and then retires, win or lose? Despite its appeal, there is still no certainty about this match.
Attempts to match Fury and Joshua (28-4, 25 KOs) have failed since 2020, and the fight has lost some of its luster now that neither is a world champion. Nevertheless, there is great interest in seeing the English rivals face each other. Frank Warren, Fury’s promoter, recently said that Fury wants to return next year, although Fury has not fought since Usyk defeated him on points in December.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn revealed that Joshua (36 years old) wants the fight against Fury, but many factors must come together for it to happen. Heavyweight boxing is unpredictable, and in an ideal scenario, Fury vs. Joshua would occur soon.
Deontay Wilder vs. Francis Ngannou
Wilder against Ngannou would be a very entertaining spectacle for boxing and mixed martial arts fans. Both are far from the title contention, but their punching power still generates excitement. This exhibition fight promises big hits and emotions.
Recently, they have exchanged messages on social media, with Ngannou proposing to “settle the debate” and Wilder responding. Both have reasons to seek the knockout and revive 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, hasn’t had good results in his last fights, but he did achieve a knockout victory in his last outing against Tyrrell Herndon in June.
Wilder and Ngannou are big punchers, and many fans would be eager to see who lands the knockout, as this fight would surely not go to the scorecards.
Anthony Joshua vs. Martin Bakole
After returning from elbow surgery and not having fought since being knocked out by Dubois in September 2024, Joshua could face a different opponent than 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, could be drawn to the experience of fighting in Africa and the opportunity to revitalize his career after his most painful defeat.
Bakole, 33 years old and originally 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 entered as a last-minute substitute. Bakole also drew with Efe Ajagba in May.
Moses Itauma vs. Filip Hrgovic
Itauma, one of the most exciting heavyweights, has a fight scheduled for December 13, but is still looking for an opponent.
Usyk and Kubrat Pulev, WBA “regular” heavyweight champion, have already ruled out facing Itauma. Hrgovic (19-1, 14 KOs) would be an excellent step up for the 20-year-old Itauma, who achieved his eighth first-round knockout earlier this year.
We haven’t yet seen Itauma’s ability to withstand serious blows, and Hrgovic’s experience, movement, and skill could put him to the test. Dillian Whyte (31-4, 21 KOs), a veteran who lasted six rounds against Fury in 2022, was destroyed in one round by Itauma (13-0, 11 KOs) in August, and the young contender could experience longer and more challenging fights. Hrgovic has suffered cuts in recent fights, but his power, experience, and boxing ability could 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 (16-0, 14 KOs), who is 6 feet 7 inches tall, is currently underrated and needs a big win to break into the top five. A fight against Dubois, a knockout specialist, could boost his profile.
It’s a high-stakes clash for both: Jalolov is undefeated and close to a title opportunity, while Dubois is coming off a fifth-round knockout loss against Usyk and can’t afford another setback. Dubois, who knocked out Joshua just over a year ago, might be tempted by the opportunity to bounce back against another contender.
This matchup has the potential to be an exciting battle between two great strikers with the opportunity to reach the top.
