With the job done in style by Oleksandr Usyk at Wembley Stadium last month, the undisputed world heavyweight champion retreated from the spotlight for a well-earned rest.

Usyk was so adamant about his down time in the wake of his stunning fifth-round stoppage of Daniel Dubois that he refused to answer questions in detail about what might be next for him. Or, more importantly for the chasing pack, what might be next for his belts.

During the build-up to that fight, promoter Frank Warren had regularly pointed out that once July 19 was out of the way, everyone would have a much better idea of where the four major belts would be headed.

But, as the most significant heavyweight fight since that night at Wembley draws closer, there has been little movement at the top of the division. Thankfully for Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte, who meet on Saturday night in the main event of the Esports World Cup Fight Week at ANB Arena Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, what Usyk does next is actually of little concern. All they need to worry about is winning.

The reality is that whomever emerges victorious from their DAZN Pay-Per-View main event might just fight for the world heavyweight title in his next bout. There is also a strong chance the winner won’t get that opportunity.

So, what do we know about the state of the heavyweight picture and what Saturday night will mean to it?

Given his lack of high-level fights over the past few years, Whyte is not ranked in the top 15 by any of the sanctioning bodies. “The Body Snatcher” isn’t in The Ring’s top 10, either. A victory for him would keep his world title dream alive, but it may not secure him a shot immediately. It is also worth noting that whenever an underdog beats a favourite, an immediate rematch often follows.

The picture is clearer from Itauma’s point of view. The 20-year-old is ranked No. 6 (IBF), No. 2 (WBA), No. 11 (WBC) and, most crucially, No. 1 (WBO). That does not mean, however, he is next in line for a shot at the full belt because Joseph Parker is the WBO’s interim champion.

What is for sure is that the WBO was Usyk's first mandatory, and within a week of him beating Dubois, they ordered the Ukrainian to defend against Parker. That mandate kicked off a 30-day period in which the two sides had to reach an agreement on the fight. If there is still no resolution once the tick ends later this month, the WBO will order a purse bid.

Usyk nor his team has said anything about whether they are planning to face Parker at all, much less whether they are negotiating a deal or holding out for a purse bid. New Zealand’s Parker, a former WBO champion himself, is the only elite heavyweight of his era that Usyk has yet to beat. And the undisputed king might decide he wants the chance to add Parker to his list of scalps.

But Parker was only one of a number of potential opponents Usyk name-dropped in the immediate aftermath of his victory over Dubois, which suggested he does not know his plans yet. The WBO’s order means there is a clear time frame for what happens next with that belt, which is progress for Parker and also Itauma.

Should Usyk decide against fighting Parker next, he will have to relinquish that belt and therefore lose his status as undisputed for a second time.

A quick glance at the rankings would tell you the most likely fight for the belt should it become vacant is Parker against Itauma, which would not be too hard to make given they are both aligned with Warren and Queensberry Promotions. It is a fight the Hall of Fame promoter has talked up in the past.

Whyte, who incidentally holds a victory of his own over Parker, will be doing all he can to ensure that path is not a smooth one by upsetting Itauma. But if Itauma takes care of his 37-year-old opponent, there is every chance he could get a shot at becoming history’s second youngest world heavyweight champion.

He missed the record held by Mike Tyson in May, but he would usurp Floyd Patterson as long as he can do it before he is 21 years, 10 months and 26 days old, which is not until November 2026.