Oleksandr Usyk is still the king. It feels like we’ve been saying that forever, but the reality in January 2026 is that the Ukrainian maestro hasn’t just sat on his throne—he’s rebuilt it.
Boxing is messy. Always has been. If you’re looking at the boxing heavyweight division rankings right now, you aren't just looking at a list of names. You’re looking at a political minefield where belts are vacated over breakfast and "undisputed" is a title that lasts about as long as a New Year’s resolution.
Honestly, the landscape is shifting.
While Usyk holds the pole position across basically every reputable board—The Ring, the WBC, the WBA, and the IBF—the WBO has already splintered off. They’ve crowned Fabio Wardley as their champion after Usyk vacated the belt to pursue a "legacy" fight against Deontay Wilder instead of taking a mandatory.
The Current Hierarchy: Who Actually Matters?
If you ask the average fan who the best is, they’ll say Usyk. If you ask the sanctioning bodies, you’ll get four different answers and a bill for sanctioning fees.
Let's look at how the top five actually shakes out right now.
1. Oleksandr Usyk (The Ring, WBC, WBA, IBF Champion)
The man is 24-0. He’s beaten Anthony Joshua twice and Tyson Fury twice. There is no debate here. Even though he’s no longer "undisputed" in the literal four-belt sense, he is the lineal champion. He's the guy you have to beat to be the man. He’s currently eyeing a July 2026 date with Deontay Wilder in the US. Why? Because he wants to sweep the "Big Three" of this era.
2. Agit Kabayel (WBC Interim Champion)
Kabayel is the dark horse who finally stopped being a secret. He just moved to 27-0 after a third-round demolition of Damian Knyba in Germany earlier this month. He’s technically the mandatory for Usyk’s WBC strap, but we all know how boxing politics work. He’ll likely be waiting a while.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
3. Daniel Dubois
Dubois has had one of the craziest career rehabilitations in recent memory. After the "quit" narrative against Joe Joyce years ago, he’s turned into a wrecking ball. He’s currently ranked #2 by the WBC and #3 by The Ring. He’s the guy nobody at the top really wants to fight because he’s young, hits like a truck, and has finally found his grit.
4. Fabio Wardley (WBO Champion)
The Ipswich man has done what many thought impossible—he went from the "YouTuber circuit" orbit to a legitimate world champion. By picking up the vacant WBO belt, he’s inserted himself into the elite conversation. He’s 20-0-1 and carries a massive amount of momentum in the UK market.
5. Martin Bakole
Bakole is the boogeyman. Simple as that. He’s ranked #3 by the WBA and #6 by The Ring. He’s the guy everyone avoids in sparring and, increasingly, in the actual ring. If the division wasn't so top-heavy with stars, Bakole would have had his shot years ago.
Why the Rankings Don't Tell the Whole Story
Rankings are a snapshot. They don't account for the "Gypsy King" factor.
Tyson Fury just announced his return. Again.
After losing twice to Usyk and claiming he was done, Fury posted on Instagram just a few days ago: "2026 is that year. Return of the mac." He’s 37. He’s been away since December 2024. Where does he rank? On paper, The Ring still has him in their top three because of his resume, but in the eyes of the sanctioning bodies, he’s effectively a ghost until he signs a contract.
Then there’s Anthony Joshua.
🔗 Read more: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
AJ’s situation is tragic and complicated. He knocked out Jake Paul in December 2025—a fight that did huge numbers but nothing for his ranking—and then was involved in a serious car accident in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two associates. Usyk recently mentioned speaking to AJ, noting that Joshua has "a desire to continue" for his fallen friends. For now, he’s sitting around #3 or #5 depending on which belt’s rankings you’re looking at, but his activity level is the big question mark for 2026.
The Rise of the Next Generation
If you aren't watching Moses Itauma, you’re missing the future.
The kid is 13-0 with 11 knockouts. He’s already ranked #1 by the WBA and #4 by the WBC. He’s 21 years old. To put that in perspective, he’s on a trajectory that makes Mike Tyson look like a late bloomer. The rankings are starting to reflect a massive generational shift. The "Big Three" (Fury, Joshua, Wilder) are all in their late 30s.
We’re seeing names like Richard Torrez Jr. (#8 WBC) and Efe Ajagba (#6 WBC) start to crowd out the old guard.
How to Navigate the Boxing Heavyweight Division Rankings
If you’re trying to keep track of this mess, don't just look at one list.
The WBC rankings are heavily influenced by who fights for their secondary "International" or "Silver" titles. The WBA has their "Super" and "Regular" champion nonsense—currently Usyk is the Super Champ and Murat Gassiev holds the Regular title. It’s a headache.
Here is the "Real" Top 10 for January 2026 (Consensus):
💡 You might also like: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
- Champion: Oleksandr Usyk
- 1. Agit Kabayel
- 2. Daniel Dubois
- 3. Fabio Wardley
- 4. Martin Bakole
- 5. Joseph Parker (Who remains relevant despite a quiet 2025)
- 6. Zhilei Zhang (The "Big Bang" is still a threat at 42)
- 7. Moses Itauma
- 8. Filip Hrgovic
- 9. Efe Ajagba
- 10. Lawrence Okolie (The former cruiserweight who has successfully moved up)
Misconceptions About the Rankings
People think the rankings are strictly about who won their last fight. They aren't.
They’re about activity, "quality of opposition," and, let’s be honest, which promoter has the loudest voice in the room. This is why a guy like Deontay Wilder can still be ranked in the top 15 despite being 1-3 in his last few outings. The "sporting interest" Usyk mentioned—wanting to beat the final big name of the previous era—keeps Wilder's rank artificially high.
It's also why you see someone like Frank Sanchez drop. If you don't fight, you don't exist in the eyes of the committees.
What to Watch Next
The next six months are going to settle a lot of these arguments.
First, we have the fallout of the WBO’s decision to crown Wardley. Will he defend against a mandatory like Moses Itauma, or will we see a domestic blockbuster against a returning Tyson Fury?
Second, keep an eye on the Usyk vs. Wilder negotiations for July. If that fight happens, it likely won't be for all the belts. The IBF is notoriously strict; they’ve already signaled they might strip Usyk if he doesn't face their mandatory next.
Next Steps for Boxing Fans:
- Check the BoxRec "Points" system: While sanctioning bodies are political, BoxRec uses a purely mathematical algorithm. It currently has Usyk way out in front, followed by Agit Kabayel and Daniel Dubois.
- Watch the "Samurai" cards: A lot of the heavyweight movement is happening on the undercards of the big Japanese shows (like the recent Inoue vs. Picasso card). That’s where the next contenders are being built.
- Ignore the "Interim" tags: An interim title is basically a glorified #1 contender spot. Don't let the promoters convince you there are two world champions in one division.
The heavyweight division is finally moving past the Fury-Joshua stalemate that paralyzed the sport for years. We have an active, traveling king in Usyk, a crop of hungry young lions like Itauma, and a wild card in the returning "Gypsy King."
Rankings will change by the time you finish your coffee, but the power dynamic is clearer than it’s been in a decade. Usyk is the target. Everyone else is just waiting for their number to be called.