Matt Christie: Yes. Whether he holds as many belts by Christmas, given the mandatories that are starting to pile up, is a different matter.
Ryan Songalia: Yeah, why not? Considering that he’s next fighting a guy who I’m told does kickboxing, and would be doubtful for a second fight this year, I’d say that’s more than likely the case. Other than someone like Moses Itauma, who is still in that fringe-contender/prospect space, I don’t see anyone that can threaten him even at this stage. It appears that the only formidable threat to Usyk is the inevitability of age.
Eric Raskin: I only see two realistic paths toward him not being the leading heavyweight at the end of the year. One is if he grants Agit Kabayel a shot. Kabayel would be more of a live underdog than anyone else in the division right now, and his body-punching proficiency mixed with Usyk’s questionable ability to absorb punches downstairs would make things interesting. The other path is if Usyk decides after sweeping aside Rico Verhoeven that it’s time to walk away. He’s given no indication that he’s ready to retire, but neither did Terence Crawford prior to reaching the conclusion there was nothing left to motivate him.
Tris Dixon: Yes, but I’m not sure whether he fights again after May – but if he does face Kabayel, I think he wins that and until someone beats the man, he will be the man.
Jason Langendorf: Yes. Verhoeven isn’t a credible threat to Usyk, and there simply isn’t enough time for anyone near his orbit to close the gap in the heavyweight hegemony. “AJ”, Fury and Daniel Dubois have all had their crack at him and come up short. Itauma, Richard Torres Jnr and Bakhodir Jalolov can’t catch him in one fight. Kabayel? The best I can offer is a hard maybe – but that’s all contingent on Usyk giving him a shot and matchmakers lining it up before the end of the year. I don’t see it.
Tom Ivers: Yes, but not because of his wins this year – because of his previous victories. I doubt Usyk fights again in 2026 after his almost certain win over Verhoeven in May. If he does, there’s only three fights I’m interested in seeing – Kabayel, Fabio Wardley and Itauma. If he does not fight Kabayel next then I’ll be very surprised, but the Wardley fight would be fireworks. The only man I can see really troubling him is Itauma, but I fear that Usyk will never give him his shot.
Declan Warrington: Yes. But unless he fights, or is close to fighting, one of his most deserved opponents – Kabayel is the most deserving of all – once he’s finished wasting everyone’s time against Verhoeven he will be at risk of outstaying his welcome.
Lucas Ketelle: Yes and no. Usyk is an all-time great heavyweight, but my gut tells me he will be retired by January 1. It is a change of eras, and Usyk calling it a day would be just another piece as we head into a new era. Richard Torrez Jnr will take the steps to be the most exciting US heavyweight. He is scheduled to fight Frank Sanchez on May 23. If he wins that (a big if), it sets him up for a title shot down the road. Torrez might not have the hype of Moses Itauma, yet I believe he will become a true player in the division by the end of the year.
