There is plenty of movement at the top of the heavyweight division right now, with several of the major world titles up for grabs.
The shift has come in the wake of unified champion and former two-time undisputed ruler Oleksandr Usyk announcing that he was to vacate the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in order to pick his final opponent, with many suspecting it might be Deontay Wilder.
Daniel Dubois is the current WBO holder and is set to be involved in a rematch with former champion Fabio Wardley before the end of 2026, while fast-rising young star Moses Itauma takes on Filip Hrgović in his quest to get a world title shot.
Elsewhere, former world champions Tyson Fury, who is ranked number one with the WBC, and Anthony Joshua will also be hoping they may get one last shot at a belt.
For now, former cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev is the WBA champion and was due to fight French heavyweight Tony Yoka.
However, according to news reports by The Ring Magazine, Yoka has suffered a back injury and is now going to be unable to compete for the belt.
The Ring has suggested that among the alternative opponents being lined up for Gassiev when he returns later in the month is Brit Joe Joyce, who is the most likely option.
Joyce, who is now 40-years-old, hasn’t fought since his decision loss to Filip Hrgović back in April of last year, and before that, he was last out in July 2024 when he was also beaten on points by Derek Chisora.
His last win was Kash Ali in March 2024, which came after two consecutive knockout losses to Joseph Parker, but could now be presented with a golden opportunity.
