Oleksandr Usyk has announced that he is relinquishing all of his heavyweight world titles while confirming he has no plans to retire from boxing just yet.
The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who remains unbeaten as a professional with 25 victories, has decided to vacate the WBA ‘super’, WBC and IBF heavyweight championships. In a statement shared on social media, Usyk described the move as a carefully considered decision that will create new opportunities, insisting his story in the sport is far from finished.
Usyk explained that he wants the belts to become available for the leading contenders waiting for their chance at world-title fights. He added that although he is giving up the championships, he is staying in boxing and still intends to have one final chapter in his career.
Before his most recent bout in May, Usyk had already indicated he hoped to compete twice more before deciding whether to retire. His latest appearance saw him earn a hard-fought stoppage victory over Rico Verhoeven in Egypt, ending the contest in the 11th round after being pushed throughout by the decorated kickboxing champion, who was making only his second professional boxing appearance.
The timing of Usyk’s decision significantly reshapes the heavyweight division. The WBC had already ordered him to defend his title against mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, whose unbeaten record has made him one of the division’s most deserving contenders. With the titles now becoming vacant, Kabayel could soon find himself elevated to world champion, depending on how the sanctioning bodies proceed.
Usyk’s departure from the championship picture also creates opportunities across the division. Frank Sanchez currently sits at the top of the IBF rankings, while Murat Gassiev holds the WBA ‘regular’ title. Rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma could also find his path to a world-title fight becoming considerably shorter as the belts are redistributed.
A rematch with Verhoeven is now among the possible options for Usyk’s farewell fights, as the Ukrainian is no longer tied to mandatory title defences or the obligations imposed by the sanctioning bodies.
Since moving up from cruiserweight in 2019, Usyk has built one of the greatest heavyweight resumes of his era, defeating Anthony Joshua twice and Tyson Fury twice after previously becoming the undisputed cruiserweight champion. Daniel Dubois, who suffered two defeats to Usyk, currently holds the WBO heavyweight title following his victory over Fabio Wardley earlier this year.
By stepping away from his remaining championships, Usyk gains the freedom to choose how he wants to close an extraordinary career, while the heavyweight division enters a new era with several contenders now in position to compete for boxing’s biggest prizes.