Nobody ever knows when an era, as it pertains to the heavyweight division, actually ends. The transition is rarely definitive and naturally obscured still further by the presence of multiple fractions of the once mightiest of Kingdoms.

If the assertion the present era effectively began when Tyson Fury unseated the numerically astonishing if often moribund Wladimir Klitschko back in 2015, then we have witnessed a decade of conflict between brilliance, brutal action, inertia and competing egos that has entertained and frustrated to different degrees.

Wladimir Klitschko himself did not dissolve in to the German night in Dussledorf, he sought to pursue the crowns he lost until the emerging Anthony Joshua overwhelmed the proud old champion conclusively in April 2017. Champions, like eras, rarely end on one night. Klitschko finally left on his shield versus Joshua in arguably the most entertaining fight of his own decade at the top. It was a tumultuous and satisfying fight and stirred the notion that the new era promised by Fury's victory had truly now begun with a champion more dynamic and eye-catching in style than the giant Mancunian - now lost in the darkness of almost three years of depression in the aftermath of his unexpected triumph.

There is a sadness in the realisation, as the era draws to a close with all four chief protagonists now in their late thirties, that Joshua didn't secure fights with Deontay Wilder or Tyson Fury in the years that have lapsed since that 2017 night at Wembley. Blame, where it lays, to what degree, is the redundant folly of their twenties. It is shared between them now and history will not care for the stories. Only the absence of the fights they did not make.

Fury took up Wilder's offer to box for the title when plainly still diminished by the havoc he'd wrought on his body and out foxed Wilder to earn a highly contested draw. Fury won the fight but didn't get the decision he deserved. It was a wild night. The pair of rematches they ventured into with deals to fight Joshua still elusive were won by a rampant Fury. With multiple knockdowns and drama puncturing Fury's dominance.

Usyk, who began the decade they've shared as a foursome in the relative obscurity of the Cruiserweight division, unifying the title in away fixtures and ended it by repeating the dominance in the Heavyweight division. Now 38, he boasts two victories over Joshua, Fury and the surging Dubois to confirm his status as the King of the four. 

Relinquishing his WBO belt this week doesn't dilute his place as the champion. Only retirement or a defeat can steal that away now and the end is likely closer than the 3 years he claims to be planning to box on for. His style is economic, precise and his timing remains sharper than any of his contemporaries but nobody beats time. Usyk would remain favourite in any trilogy fight with Joshua or Fury and would flatten the remnants of 41-year-old Wilder too. If the American could compose a win or two to earn the chance.

Last week's news that the 5th Beatle over this period, Joseph Parker, had tested positive for Cocaine ingested, it seems, on the day of his defeat to Fabio Wardley, and the suspension that is likely to follow, also steals another of their contingent from the heavyweight picture.

The transition to the next era is undoubtedly underway.

Wardley, the swinging bruiser from Suffolk, who had no Amateur fights and is an extraordinary story in his own right, now boasts the WBO title. Moses Itauma the youthful knockout artist with fast hands will be chasing him hard in 2026. The flawed but entertaining Dubois may yet return anew and American Richard Torrez Jnr. is compiling wins and experience and will try to prove that he can too can feature in the new dawn.  Agit Kabayel is probably the fighter most likely to emerge as the most qualified of the next crop of contenders. Whether he gets an opportunity to beat one of the quartet, Usyk the primary target as the Champion, remains to be seen.

For 2026 is likely to be a story of Joshua and Fury trying to dupe the public into believing a fight between them is still valid - it is too big a pay day to resist for both men despite the evident decline in both - and their interest in boxing capable contenders to pre-empt that mega fight will be minimal. Joshua has already proved he could lose to anyone with confidence and a punch - which doesn't include the YouTuber - and when Fury sat on the canvas looking up at Francis Ngannou he too will have realised the limitations of his youth and reflex.

It has been a good ten years. Fury v Joshua will be an interesting but spoiled conclusion to their rivalry and a colourful sign off to a decade that ultimately, however the next year is spun, will always belong to Usyk.