“The Ukrainian owns three of the four main titles”, — write: sport.ua
We assess the situation in all four main organizations.
WBO
Champion: Fabio Wordley
The first number of the rating: Moses Itauma
Mandatory applicant: Moses Itauma (if he beats Jermaine Franklin on January 24)
Here the situation is most clear. Oleksandr Usyk gave up the title of this organization, Fabio Wordley was promoted to the status of champion.
However, already in January, Wardley will receive a mandatory contender, which will be Moses Itauma, if he defeats Jermaine Franklin. The Wardley – Itauma fight is tentatively scheduled for spring 2026.
Usyk briefly appreciated his decision to vacate the title, noting that he was grateful to the WBO for the opportunity to hold their belt.
WBA
Champion: Oleksandr Usyk
The first number of the rating: Moses Itauma
Mandatory applicant😕
An alternative option: Kubrat Pulev, Mozes Itauma
This organization is always the most confusing situation due to the presence of different champions. Perhaps because of this, association titles are informally considered the least prestigious.
Only the WBA, in addition to the main title holder, has a so-called regular champion – now it is Kubrat Pulev.
The Bulgarian veteran, who is 44 years old, was supposed to fight Itauma, but announced that he has already agreed on a fight with Murat Gasiev, while Itauma will step into the ring with Jermaine Franklin.
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The WBA has already announced that if Itauma and Pulev win their next fights, they will fight for the status of the mandatory contender for Usyk’s belt.
WBC
Champion: Oleksandr Usyk
Interim champion: Agit Kabayel
The first number of the rating: Lawrence Okolie
Mandatory applicant: will become Agit Kabael if he wins on January 10
The next title that Usyk can lose is the WBC. In a week, the organization’s convention will begin, where the Ukrainian will arrive. WBC president Mauricio Suleiman has already said that he will have a conversation with Usyk about the future plans of the champion.
The interim champion is Agit Kabael, who will fight against Poland’s Damian Knyba on January 10 to defend his status. In case of victory, the German will become a mandatory contender for the fight with Usyk.
Here Oleksandr will have to make a decision again – to fight or make the title vacant. It can be assumed that Usyk will refuse in the same way as in the case of Wordley. A fight with Kabayel can be considered as financially “attractive” as with Wardley. Judging from the outside, the motivation for Usyk to defend this belt is not visible, but we are waiting for Oleksandr’s comments on this situation. So far, he does not talk about his plans.
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At the same time, the WBC green belt is considered the most prestigious. It is difficult to say whether it is important for Usyk.
IBF
Champion: Oleksandr Usyk
The first number of the rating: not assigned
Mandatory applicant: until Frank Sanchez
Here everything is not so simple, although it is not as confusing as in the situation with the WBA. Frans Sanchez has to fight for the status of mandatory contender, but they cannot find a rival for him. First they talked about Derek Chisora, then this option was dropped and negotiations began with Daniel Dubois. Promotional bidding was about to start when the Brit refused the fight and said that the fight would prevent him from going for titles in other organizations.
Soon, the IBF should appoint an opponent for Sanchez, and among the candidates, the name of Chicora, as well as the American young heavyweights Jared Anderson and Richard Torres, are mentioned again.
For now, Usyk can not worry about the title of this organization – the IBF is the last in line, it is unlikely that he will get to the fight with the mandatory contender in 2026.
In general, we can conclude that there are no interesting rivals for Usyk, except for Itauma. Neither Frank Sanchez, nor Agit Kabael, nor Kubrat Pulev are definitely of sporting, and even more so, financial interest.
A fight with Itauma could arouse interest, but the Ukrainian seems to have made it clear that he does not plan to fight with a 20-year-old boxer (and it is unlikely that Moses’ promoters really want this – they dream that Usyk will retire from boxing as soon as possible).
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It is possible that Alexander may soon be left without titles altogether and will focus on other options. For example, a third fight with Tyson Fury, a fight with Jake Paul or a return to cruiserweight, where there are several bright opponents.