What next for heavyweight division after TKV win?

Frazer Clarke’s world title hopes were foiled by Jeamie “TKV” Tshikeva’s Saturday victory at Derby’s Vaillant Arena.

TKV, 32, had the advantage going into the matchup, but his points win over the Olympic medallist gives the UK heavyweight scene a whole new dimension.

Meanwhile, Clarke, 34, is dealing with a slog following his previous three fight losses.

British heavyweight boxing’s reigning champion Fabio Wardley is demonstrating his skills. With the exception of a thrilling draw with Clarke in March 2024, the former white-collar fighter has defeated 19 opponents and has no amateur pedigree.

Wardley, 30, won the WBO’s “interim” belt in October when he defeated Joseph Parker, but Oleksandr Usyk chose to choose not to face him.

In the first half of 2026, Wardley and former IBF champion Daniel Dubois could face off in a straightforward fight, according to reports.

After his proposed trilogy fight with Dillian Whyte ended, veteran Derek Chisora was also in the news.

Wardley vs. Moses Itauma would arguably be the most exciting fight under the British world title. The 20-year-old prodigy will face Jermaine Franklin on January 24th, who is 13-0 with 11 knockouts.

Usyk, who is an absolute legend at 38, still holds the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles but has no other reliable rivals to challenge him.

He has defeated Daniel Dubois, Anthony Joshua, and Tyson Fury all twice. Additionally, he has decided against confronting Itauma in 2026.

Final elimination match between Cuban Frank Sanchez (25-0-1) and American Richard Torrez Jr. (4-0) is now ordered by the IBF.

Sanchez has been turned down by several heavyweights, including Dubois and Itauma, for other options, but if Torrez accepts, the winner might have a chance to land on Usyk.

German champion Agit Kabayel is the one whose purists think could put a serious test on the champion.

Damian Knyba will face Kabayel on January 10th, who was undefeated in 26 with 18 stoppages.

The two-time world champion squares off against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul on December 19 in a fight that bothered him financially but did a lot to boost his chances of winning.

Promoters are optimistic that 2026 will mark the conclusion of the long-awaited Joshua-Fury conflict.

Promoter Warren anticipates that Fury, who is still officially retired, will soon make an announcement about any potential comeback.

There will be many rivals for TKV. After their contentious initial encounter earlier this year, a rematch with David Adeleye is undoubtedly on the cards.

Later this month, Adeleye and TKV both claimed a rematch with Clarke would be interesting.

Following the fight, TKV declared, “We will do it in London this time, maybe at Wembley.”

With his sizable fan base, Dave Allen and Johnny Fisher, a favorite in Essex, are both prospects. The mix also includes Salomon Dacres.

December 19

Miami, USA

Nigeria, Africa

10 January 2026

Oberhausen, Germany

24 January 2026

Manchester, England