Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua question remains with heavyweight division set for shake-up

It’s like a school disco out there, the heavyweight contenders all on the dance floor sizing up the opposition for a date.

Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker have already hooked up and meet in a fortnight to establish their positions as the post Oleksandr Usyk world order begins to shake out. Usyk is eyeing a couple of defences before checking out. Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua are targeting returns next year, possibly with a view to fighting each other, but how far either goes is hard to say.

What is clear 2026 could see seismic change in the heavyweight division, and the matches now being discussed are based on that understanding.

After his third career loss against Usyk, Daniel Dubois is being lined up for his comeback next year against Frank Sanchez, who is himself coming off a damaging defeat to unbeaten German Agit Kabayel. I’m not sure Dubois gets another crack at Usyk so he has to work his way into contention against the field. The problem is Sanchez is not an obvious pick for rehabilitation.

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He is Cuban quick, big and heavy handed. And if that right knee really was damaged against Kabayel 18 months ago, and that is how it looked, he will be doubly dangerous against Dubois.

Another of Frank Warren’s heavies, Moses Itauma, was linked to Sanchez too. The fact that didn’t develop hints at an alternative plan for him and adds pressure on Dubois. He simply has to show he can beat the likes of Sanchez, and that won’t be easy, particularly in the early rounds.

On the plus side Dubois can bang and that will always be good enough against all but the very best. Take Usyk out of it and Dubois has a chance against anybody. And Sanchez has his own reputation to rebuild after that crushing defeat to Kabayel, when he went down twice, permanently the second time and perhaps a little too easily.

The great American hope, Richard Torrez, is basically a lesser version of Kabayal, not as big. Joshua and Fury are still dangerous on paper, but do they have the desire and hunger? The ability is there but when they are in a dog fight do they want it enough?

Of all the contenders none stands out like Itauma. The kid marries lights-out power with a vicious streak.

It would be great were he to get the opportunity to prove himself against Usyk. But a lot has to fall into place before we see that.

Follow Barry on X at @‌ClonesCyclone @mcguigan’s_Gym