Who will inherit Usyk’s entire championship belt collection if he retires?

The possibility of Oleksandr Usyk retiring has stirred intense debate within the boxing community. As the reigning WBC, WBA, WBO, IBF, and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion, Usyk stands at the pinnacle of the sport, holding every major world title and solidifying his place among the greats. His technical brilliance, undefeated record, and historic victories over Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury have made him one of the most respected figures in modern boxing. Yet, with whispers of retirement on the horizon, a crucial question looms large: if Usyk steps away, who will claim his belts?

Usyk’s potential departure would not just mark the end of an era—it would completely reshape the heavyweight division. His reign brought rare undisputed status to a weight class often divided by promotional rivalries and sanctioning body politics. Without him, the division could quickly return to a fragmented state, with multiple champions and no clear king.

The Process of Title Vacating and Sanctioning Body Rules

When a reigning champion retires, his titles are automatically vacated. Each sanctioning body—the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF—has its own set of rules to determine how to crown a new champion. In most cases, the top two ranked contenders will be ordered to fight for the vacant belt. If a mandatory challenger is already in place, that fighter often gets priority.

The WBC typically orders its highest-ranked fighters to meet in a title bout, often considering star power and recent form. The WBA has a sometimes complex system involving “super” and “regular” titles, but when the top crown is vacated, their No. 1 and No. 2 contenders are matched. The IBF is known for strictly enforcing its mandatory system, which often results in fighters like Filip Hrgović holding first claim to a title shot. The WBO often favors fighters associated with certain promotional stables, such as Top Rank, which can influence the matchup.

The Ring Magazine title operates differently. It is not tied to sanctioning fees or mandatories but rather to the ranking system and the idea of the “lineal” champion. If Usyk retires, The Ring would award its vacant title to the winner of a fight between its top two ranked heavyweights.

Potential Contenders for the Vacant Belts

If Usyk steps away, the division will be a battlefield. The following fighters are the most likely candidates to pick up pieces of the championship puzzle.

Tyson Fury — The former lineal and WBC champion would almost certainly be in the running for the vacant WBC title. Despite his loss to Usyk, Fury remains one of the biggest names in the sport, and his marketability would make him a prime choice for a title fight. A matchup with Deontay Wilder for the WBC crown could even be on the table.

Deontay Wilder — Known for his devastating knockout power, Wilder’s form has dipped in recent years, but his resume and name recognition keep him relevant. If the WBC or even The Ring title becomes vacant, Wilder could get the call for another high-profile fight.

Filip Hrgović — As the IBF’s long-standing mandatory challenger, Hrgović is virtually guaranteed to fight for the IBF belt. His undefeated record and physical style make him a dangerous opponent for anyone in the top ten.

Daniel Dubois — The WBA’s rankings often favor Dubois, who has youth, power, and recent experience against Usyk. While he came up short in their bout, his performance was competitive enough to keep him in the title mix.

Zhilei Zhang — The Chinese powerhouse has emerged as one of the most feared punchers in the division. His wins over Joe Joyce have propelled him into the upper echelon, and he could easily find himself in a WBO or IBF title fight.

Jared Anderson — The American prospect is seen by many as the future of the heavyweight division. If Usyk retires, Anderson could get his shot earlier than expected, possibly against a seasoned veteran for one of the belts.

Andy Ruiz Jr. — The former unified champion remains a wildcard. Ruiz’s hand speed and experience could make him a valuable opponent in any vacant title scenario.

How Each Belt Could Be Claimed

If Usyk retires, here’s a realistic breakdown of who might claim each title:

WBC — Likely matchup: Tyson Fury vs Deontay Wilder IV. The WBC loves big, marketable fights, and this rivalry has already produced fireworks. A win for Fury would restore him as WBC champion, but Wilder’s power means nothing is guaranteed.

WBA — Likely matchup: Daniel Dubois vs Zhilei Zhang. The WBA could match its top two contenders in a bout that pits Dubois’ youth and athleticism against Zhang’s experience and heavy hands.

IBF — Likely matchup: Filip Hrgović vs Jared Anderson. This would be a classic clash of an established mandatory contender versus a rising star. The IBF tends to follow rankings strictly, so Hrgović would get his long-awaited shot.

WBO — Likely matchup: Joe Joyce vs Andy Ruiz Jr. Joyce has history with the WBO rankings, while Ruiz’s global profile could make the bout commercially appealing.

Ring Magazine — Likely matchup: Tyson Fury vs Filip Hrgović. Since The Ring aims to crown the best fighter in the division, matching its No. 1 and No. 2 ranked heavyweights is standard. Fury’s status as a former champion and Hrgović’s rise could make this a compelling choice.

The Era After Usyk

The most immediate impact of Usyk’s retirement would be the loss of a unified champion. The belts would likely scatter across different fighters, creating a landscape similar to the one before Usyk’s reign. While this would mean more champions and possibly more frequent title fights, it could also lead to the frustration of long waits for unification bouts.

Promotional politics would play a big role. Fighters tied to different networks and promoters—Top Rank, Matchroom, PBC—may struggle to negotiate cross-promotional fights. As a result, the dream of quickly crowning another undisputed champion could be delayed for years.

However, the upside is that the heavyweight division could enter a thrillingly unpredictable phase. With no single dominant champion, the door would be open for younger fighters to break through. Fans could see exciting styles clash—technical boxers versus knockout artists—without the long delays that sometimes accompany mandatory defenses.

Why Usyk’s Retirement Would Be Different From Past Champions

When legends like Lennox Lewis or Wladimir Klitschko retired, the division eventually stabilized around one or two dominant champions. With Usyk, the transition might be more chaotic because the modern heavyweight scene is more evenly matched at the top. The gap between the No. 1 and No. 5 ranked fighters is narrower than it has been in decades.

Moreover, Usyk’s unique style—speed, footwork, and tactical mastery—has few direct imitators in the division. Replacing that level of skill will not be easy, meaning the new champions may rely more on physical attributes like power and size rather than ring IQ.

Conclusion

If Oleksandr Usyk retires, the heavyweight division will be thrown into a period of rapid change. His titles will be split among contenders like Tyson Fury, Filip Hrgović, Daniel Dubois, Zhilei Zhang, and Deontay Wilder, with each sanctioning body following its own rules to crown a new champion. The result will likely be a fragmented but highly competitive era, filled with intrigue, rivalries, and the potential for a new superstar to emerge. While fans may miss the clarity of Usyk’s undisputed reign, they could be treated to one of the most exciting and unpredictable periods in heavyweight boxing history.