Oleksandr Usyk vacates heavyweight titles, plans 'last dance' in the US

Announcement

Usyk announced on social media that he is vacating his WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. He described the move as a "well-considered decision" and said he is not retiring, promising a "last dance".

“Today is a good day to announce that I want to give up all the titles that I now hold. To leave them free so that all the guys that are standing in line behind me can box for them.”

His sporting director Sergey Lapin told ESPN that Usyk wants to finish his career with fights in the United States.

The Verhoeven scare and rematch

Usyk's last fight in May was a controversial 11th-round stoppage of Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, who was leading on the scorecards. The competitive nature of the bout has prompted calls for a rematch, and vacating the belts removes mandatory defences that could block a second fight.

“As for Oleksandr, his goal has always been to finish his legendary career with his final fights in the United States, where he wants to leave the last chapter of his boxing legacy.”

Heavyweight landscape reshaped

With Usyk stepping aside, the division opens up. WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel may be elevated to full champion. Lapin suggested former champion Anthony Joshua, whom Usyk beat twice, could now reunify the belts. Daniel Dubois holds the WBO title after Usyk vacated it earlier.

A legendary career

Usyk, 39, is unbeaten in 25 professional fights with 16 knockouts. He became undisputed cruiserweight champion in 2018 before moving up to heavyweight. He took three belts from Joshua in 2021 and added the WBC from Tyson Fury in 2024, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era.

Ukraine's champion

Usyk has been a symbol of Ukrainian resilience during the war. He has spoken of being inspired by modern Ukrainian heroes and partly funded the rebuilding of a house for a fallen teammate. His father, a Soviet Army veteran, instilled iron discipline and died shortly after Usyk won Olympic gold in 2012.