The heavyweight division has always been the money division in boxing and attracted casuals and sweet science fanatics. There’s something appealing about two huge boxers aiming to knock each other out. With a busy summer ahead, here is how we rank the top five British and European heavyweights heading into the second half of 2026.
5: Filip Hrgovic
When ranking the top five British and European heavyweights, we thought long and hard about Filip Hrgovic (20-1, 15 KOs). The big Croatian was an impressive amateur before turning professional, where he has only lost once to Daniel Dubois. His comeback since that loss has been gradual, with three successive wins against Joe Joyce, David Adeleye, and, most recently, Dave Allen.
His talent is undeniable, and it looks like he will be the one to face Moses Itauma on August 8, a huge fight for both. Whoever Hrgovic faces next, fight fans in the UK can stay up to date on odds via Virgin Bet UK.
4: Moses Itauma
Moses Itauma (14-0, 12 KOs) continues to be the talk of the heavyweight division, with many wondering who he will face on August 8. Filip Hrgovic is the rumoured opponent. Itauma’s promise is clear to everyone.
He moves like a middleweight and punches like a heavyweight. His stoppage win over the durable Jermaine Franklin was highly impressive.
3: Agit Kabayel
The next fighter on our British and European heavyweights list is Agit Kabayel (27-0, 19 KOs). The undefeated German has not been the most active, but when he has fought, he has been highly impressive, with his come-forward style and aggressive body punching, helping him score impressive wins against Zhilei Zhang and Frank Sanchez.
Kabayel is the WBC mandatory challenger, and his promoter, Frank Warren, has made it clear they will be looking to enforce that bout. The German cannot be ignored, and his ability in the ring keeps him an active player in the division.
2: Daniel Dubois
Next on our list is Daniel Dubois (23-3, 22 KOs), the new WBO heavyweight champion after his exciting win over Fabio Wardley. The way he used his ramrod jab and picked his punches was reminiscent of the key attributes he used to beat Anthony Joshua.
Dubois’ heart has been questioned following his three defeats, but he showed tremendous courage to survive two knockdowns against Wardley to ultimately dominate the fight.
1: Oleksandr Usyk
Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) was viewed as the greatest active heavyweight and the pound-for-pound best fighter for many boxing fans. He has beaten Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois twice, and defeated all three in style.
His below-par performance against Rico Verhoeven could have been a one-off. It might have been age catching up with him, or was the Ukrainian carrying an injury? Will the Verhoeven rematch be next? Or will Usyk give Kabayel the chance he deserves?