Oleksandr Usyk vacates heavyweight world titles but insists career is not over

The undefeated heavyweight champion confirmed he will give up the WBA ‘super’, WBC and IBF belts, bringing an end to his reign at the top of the division while opening the door for a new generation of contenders to compete for world honours.

Usyk, who has built a perfect professional record of 25 victories, described the decision as one that had been carefully considered and made clear that retirement was not on his mind.

“This is a well-considered decision that I am confident will open new opportunities for me. This is not the end of the story. The continuation lies ahead,” he wrote on X.

In a video message, the 39-year-old explained that he wanted to step aside and allow the next challengers in line to fight for the championships.

“I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold to make them available for the guys next in line to fight for them,” Usyk said.

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

Usyk’s decision comes after a demanding period at heavyweight, including his most recent victory over kickboxing superstar Rico Verhoeven in Egypt in May. The bout pushed the Ukrainian further than many expected, with Verhoeven’s experience in kickboxing proving a major test despite having only one previous professional boxing fight.

Usyk eventually secured the win by stopping Verhoeven late in the 11th round, but the contest showed the heavyweight champion could still be challenged at the highest level.

Before that fight, Usyk had suggested he wanted two more bouts before considering retirement, and his latest announcement appears to keep that possibility alive while giving him greater control over his final chapter.

The move will now create significant changes across the heavyweight division, with the major sanctioning bodies expected to decide how the vacant titles will be handled.

The WBC had previously ordered Usyk to face mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, with the unbeaten German widely regarded as one of the leading contenders yet to receive a world title opportunity. Kabayel could now be elevated into a championship fight depending on the WBC’s decision.

Other contenders could also benefit from the shake-up. Frank Sanchez is ranked highly by the IBF, while Murat Gassiev holds the WBA ‘regular’ title, and rising British heavyweight Moses Itauma could see a clearer path towards a world title opportunity.

Usyk’s departure from the championship picture marks the end of one of the most impressive heavyweight runs in recent history.

After becoming undisputed cruiserweight champion, he moved up to heavyweight in 2019 and quickly established himself among the division’s elite. He defeated Anthony Joshua twice before completing a historic run by beating Tyson Fury twice, becoming a two-time undisputed world champion.

Britain’s Daniel Dubois, who has suffered two defeats against Usyk, currently holds the WBO heavyweight title after beating Fabio Wardley earlier this year.

The Ukrainian’s decision leaves the heavyweight division in a completely different position, with the belts no longer tied to one dominant champion and a number of fighters now having the chance to claim their place at the top.

For Usyk, stepping away from the titles removes the obligation of mandatory defences and the politics that come with holding every major belt. While he insists this is not the end, vacating the championships gives him the freedom to choose how he wants the final stage of his career to unfold.