Usyk Vacates All Heavyweight Titles, Confirms ‘Last Dance’ Still to Come

Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) has vacated the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, but says he is not retiring, with one fight left in his career.

“Today is Friday, it’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold,” Usyk said in a video statement. “I want to make them available, so that the guys who are next in the line can fight for them,” Usyk

The decision immediately reshapes the heavyweight division. Agit Kabayel had been waiting on a WBC title shot, while the WBA and IBF now move to crown new champions of their own. Usyk was quick to dismiss any suggestion this marks the end. Usyk was quick to dismiss any suggestion this marks the end.

“Friends, I’m leaving the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance,” Usyk

The 39-year-old confirmed he intends to fight once more before retiring, though he has not named an opponent. A rematch with Rico Verhoeven remains one possibility following their hard-fought clash in May, with other options still on the table.