If the undisputed Heavyweight champion retires, what next?

What are the next fights for vacant belts and who do the newly promoted interim champions defend their belts against first. Zhang would be promoted to WBO champion. AJ and Hrgovic would presumably fight for the IBF. Charr might get promoted to full WBA champ (which is disgraceful). The WBC belt is interesting as Joshua is their top contender but if he's fighting for the vacant IBF he won't fight for the vacant WBC. Frank Sanchez is second in line and I believe will be fighting fourth ranked Agit Kabayel. The winner of that fight will probably fight for the vacant title in this situation. Parker is the third ranked by the WBC but is rumoured to be fighting Zhang in Saudi in the first quarter of this year, which is a fight I believe he will lose, but even if he wins he would be interim WBO champ and would be promoted to full champion should the undisputed champion retire, and if he loses he would be sent down the rankings. Next contender from the WBC is Efe Ajagba in the 5th rank. I'm probably putting to much faith in the WBC if I'm expecting them to follow their rules and rankings properly, but this is a situation I have been thinking about a lot as I think the winner of Usyk v Fury will not have anything more they can realistically accomplish that's worth accomplishing. Fury might have the AJ fight but other than what else is out there?

 

It is probably going to happen. I would like to see Usyk stick around for Hrgovic and the winner of Parker-Zhang, but he has said he is returning soon.

 

I can see a fun little tourney to crown a new undisputed champ. Hrgovic, Zhang, Joshua, Ruiz, Parker, Jalolov especially if he wins his second Gold in Paris.

 

The WBC will announce shortly that they are calling for an eliminator between Sanchez and Kabayel. Timing will be everything but that fight could potentially end up being for the vacant title.

 

Both Usyk and Fury both disgraced themselves in their last performances. Most people have tired of them and are eager for some new blood and new matchups.

Nganda, Zhang, Duboise, may be Hegovic and Jared Anderson. These are the fights the public wants.

Fury and Usyk should have both been stripped already.

Duboise is the rightful Heavyweight champion, and Zhang and Nganda should be fighting each for a shot at Duboise.

Boxing politics is a shameful, shameful cesspool of corruption

 

Nganda? Hegovic? Duboise?

At least spell the blokes names right - Usyk and Fury are champions for a reason. Dubois hit Usyk with a clear low shot - I have no idea why this is still an issue. Fury should have lost to Ngannou imo but that wouldn’t have made him champion. He’s had one fight and has a lot to prove before being thrown a title shot.

 

Yep.

So here's what might actually, realistically, happen...

The belts get scattered.

AJ beats Hrgovic (easily) for the IBF, starts chasing other champs for unifications...

If Zhang gets the WBO he'll take the unification fight, and lose (being 42-43 and declining by that point - and having proven relatively little as a pro).
Likewise if Parker gets it, he'll take the AJ rematch to try and unify.

Sanchez Vs Kabayel chooses the next WBC champ - whoever it is then ducks the decent international fighters and the WBC protects them as long as they fight stateside bums only.

WBA anything could happen.... Wouldn't surprise me if they promote Charr for it - he'll lose it the first time they pick a mando from the top 20, but at least they'll be rid of him.


There's a very real, and quite funny, possibility that AJ collects his previous three again - and a WBC hostage taker keeps him away from the fourth.

 

The World Boxing Super Series – Heavyweight division would be a great idea in that case. It would bring great fights and big money.

 

At least things are looking a little more prosperous than when they were last scattered 20+ years ago. We've got a reasonably competitive bunch of fighters, that should give us some good match ups. Tbh, I am quite interested to see the how it pans out, if or when the scattering happens.

 

I actually want Usyk to retire after he beats Fury. I really do feel that the planets have aligned perfectly for him to retire as an undisputed champion in two weight classes. It's not easy for him at Heavyweight, get in, get out after winning it all!

 

If the WBC belt becomes free, it would be a better idea for Joshua to petition to fight the winner of Kabayel v Sanchez. Joshua is currently WBC#1 and Ngannou is WBC #10, so I doubt they will pass over him (especially with the money he brings). Unless he chooses to go the IBF route. But as you suggest, if he does that, how long will he be made to wait for a shot at the WBC champion? Heck, if Fury loses to Usyk, and Usyk then retires, I wouldn't be surprised if the WBC orders Fury v Joshua for the vacant belt. Afterall, the Saudis are already talking about the winners facing next.

 

Usyk has done nothing special at HW.

Usyk retires, beating two mediocre opponents and people still call him the best.

 

Well have Ngannou-usyk before the end of 2024 mark my words. It will be for the belts. Fury retired. Joshua crushing cans. Wilder Nice and comfy at home.

 

Joshua will destroy Ngannoua.

 

Unless a special Mike Tyson like heavyweight comes along then it will be years and years of alphabet tilte holders and a vacant Lineal championship. Naming any one of the belt holders will be more suited to a pub quiz than a true fight fan discussion.