So, as of tonight, who will rule the post Usyk-abdication era?

I think the path forward no longer feels written, and to an extent, that is exciting. No one really looks like a world-beater at this point.

Here are some possibilities that I see...it's a bit crazy how with time and tide I have reversed my perception on a number of these fighters.

1. No one dominates. It's another "three kings" era, with everyone staying in their own pocket universe exercising dominion over the Dominick Breazeles and Gerald Washingtons of this era.

2. WBO champ Daniel Dubois. To me, of the four champs, this is narrowly the most likely. When Dubois first became a thing, I believed that he was a completely untalented muscleman, and about the biggest hypejob I have ever seen. But I will admit, he has taken his losses, learned his lessons, and is now a two-time champion who has learned to deal with adversity. And he already has a win over Hrgovic, although many if not most think it should have gone to Hrgovic on technical decision after a headbutt. He has the right trainer in Don Charles, and with Frank Warren, he has the man behind him who can make things happen.

3. Filip Hrgovic. The man of the hour after tonight. He has a pretty stellar resume by the modest standards of the day, and, as noted above, many feel he should have got the nod over Dubois. BUUUUUT...he's basically still just a good chin and a fair right hand. And, being Croatian, will he even get an opportunity for unification? Final thought is that he is already 34.

4. Agit Kabayel- I have been a fan of this guy longer than most, and I am very glad that he found body punching as his secret weapon, and got his e-mail belt and long 15 minutes of fame. But he has always been a guy who fights once a year, and he is clearly in the silk pajamas phase of things already, struggling and needing ref help against a Polish nobody, gaining weight, and talking of fighting Rico, Hysa, and 50 year-old Wlad Klitschko. I seriously have a strange feeling that he is on his way out, but there are those who swear by him, and on paper, he is a very viable option.

5. Murat Gassiev- No one believes in this guy, and I will admit that he had a very strange path to a title, but I still believe in him to do better than expected. He had a great record as a unified cruiserweight champ, and whereas he had been derailed from injuries and inactivity for a very long time, he finally seems to be on a good path. Is he going to be the guy to unify...that is a long shot. But for whatever it is worth, I am still rooting for him.

6. Moses Itauma- I am patting myself on the back tonight because I warned you all that something wasn't right. I have never seen such mental gymnastics to hype a fighter who had never been past 6. BUT, he certainly is skilled, and you could make the argument that this was more bad management, throwing him in there with the most iron-chinned heavy in the world before he had the right developmental fights. There is no reason he can't bounce back and do the takeover later. He could very well get a rematch, because...well...British and the wrong guy won.

7. Oleksandr Usyk- He looked terrible in his last fight, he has officially abdicated, and he claims he only wants one more fight. BUT, he is still linear and Ring Magazine champ, and could probably get the Zuffa belt on demand. He could hang around and be the shadow champ, fighting Wilder, Benevidez, and never mind inconvenient mandos. OR, for a more unlikley scenario, he could realize that he could beat any two of the big four on the same night, and decide to become 3-time undisputed heavyweight champ.

9. Winner of Fury-Joshua. After the last performances, it seems unlikely, but they still have their hardcore fans, and I suppose it is worth adding as an option.

10. Other! Jalolov? Parker? Wardley? If you have a name, throw him out there.

 

I admire your dedication.

Please vote, though.

 

I admire that a lot of Itauma's fans still believe in him!

 

I am a big Dronov guy but he has a long way to go!