Photo via BBC Sport

After Dubois' dominant win, what's next for heavyweight boxing?

Filip Hrgovic’s path to reclaiming his IBF heavyweight title has taken a new turn after his victory over Moses Itauma in August, but his first defense may not come against Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua. Instead, Hrgovic, now 34, faces a mandatory showdown with Cuba’s Frank Sanchez, which could delay a rematch with current champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Promoter Frank Warren has hinted at a potential Hrgovic defense in Croatia early next year, leaving Usyk’s next steps—and the possibility of a Dubois-Hrgovic rematch—unclear. Meanwhile, Usyk’s looming trilogy with Fury and Joshua in December could set up a unification fight, though aligning schedules with Hrgovic’s obligations remains a hurdle.

Elsewhere in the division, Derek Chisora, 42, is eyeing a December return to face WBA regular champion Magomed Gadzhiev, while Richard Riakporhe and Lawrence Okolie are targeting world titles after moving up from cruiserweight. New Zealand’s Joseph Parker is poised for a comeback after his doping suspension was lifted, and rising stars like Uzbekistan’s Bakhodir Jalolov and Australia’s Teremoana Teremoana continue to dominate with knockout records.

With Usyk, Fury, and Joshua nearing the end of their careers, the heavyweight landscape is shifting toward a new generation of contenders.

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