Oleksandr Usyk has been a heavyweight king for four years now.
Since dethroning Anthony Joshua in only his third fight in the weight class, he has torn through the top brass of the division to become undisputed twice.
His Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois wins have now made Usyk a household name, and with only one fight left, it is unlikely he will defend against a top contender.
While the 38-year-old has not confirmed any opponent yet, a trilogy bout with the ‘Gypsy King’ is a big possibility for next year since the British fighter ended his retirement.
Lawrence Okolie urges Oleksandr Usyk to drop the belts to allow other heavyweights their shot
Other heavyweights, though, want the Ukrainian to give up the belts before any decisions over his next bout are made, including a new addition to the weight class in Lawrence Okolie.
Okolie fought on the undercard of Usyk vs Dubois 2, with a ten-round decision win over Kevin Lerena.
Speaking to The Ring, he explained why the Ukrainian has to let go of the belts sooner rather than later.
He said: “They are not just saying that because they don’t want to see him lose, they are saying that because he is holding up all the belts, let them all go, let everyone else have a royal rumble.
“Because otherwise, whether or not any of us believe we can beat Usyk isn’t the point, that means you are stuck to all the belts being challenged for once or twice a year.
“Everything does sort of wait on Usyk, something tells me, maybe it is just wishful thinking, if he doesn’t box (Joseph) Parker next with the WBO ordered it, why would you let go of one and not let go of all of them,” he said.
Already ordered to face Joseph Parker next as per the WBO ruling on the interim title, other governing bodies will follow suit unless a fight is confirmed in the next few months.
Okolie continued: “Then just have your own exhibition match against Fury or whoever it is going to be against.”
Three interim champions who could be elevated if Oleksandr Usyk vacates
‘The Sauce’ knows who his target is once the belts are scattered, as WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel is a name that has been avoided by any of the biggest names in the division.
Kabayel is seen as a dangerous fighter, most recently demonstrated by his destruction of Zhilei Zhang in six rounds to the body.
But he is in line for an elevation when ‘The Cat’ decides to call it a day.
Parker’s fate is already known as the WBO interim champion, but he may have to face Moses Itauma in his first defence if the young star beats Dillian Whyte.
Only one other sanctioning body has an interim titleholder in Britain’s Fabio Wardley, who recently came back from being knocked down against Justis Huni to win by knockout.
Alongside Itauma, he is Britain’s next shot at becoming champion in the sport’s premier division.