Oleksandr Usyk vacates heavyweight titles, clearing a path for Germany’s Agit Kabayel
The Ukrainian champion relinquishes his WBA, WBC and IBF belts without fighting mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel, opening the door for the German to become the country’s first heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling in 1932.
Usyk’s announcement
Oleksandr Usyk announced on Friday that he is vacating his three remaining heavyweight world titles. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who held the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, shared the decision via Instagram. “I'm laying down my belts, but I'm not leaving the sport. More will come,” he wrote, adding that a “last dance” still lies ahead. He said the move is deliberate and creates opportunities for other boxers, but he gave no specifics.
The path to this moment
Usyk’s decision follows a controversial title defence in May against Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Giza pyramids. The champion looked slow and was trailing on one scorecard before the referee stopped the fight in the eleventh round, a call widely seen as premature. Agit Kabayel, who was ringside, immediately challenged Usyk. The WBC later ordered the mandatory defence and gave Usyk 30 days to commit, which he has now declined.
- Usyk wins first world championship at cruiserweight.
- Kabayel becomes WBC interim heavyweight champion.
- Usyk vacates the WBO heavyweight title.
- Usyk defends WBA, WBC, IBF belts against Rico Verhoeven in controversial stoppage.
- Usyk announces he will relinquish his three remaining heavyweight titles.
Kabayel’s reaction
The 33-year-old German, a WBC interim champion since February 2025, had campaigned tirelessly for the fight. After the announcement he told media he was disappointed but pragmatic. “Of course I wanted to fight him very much. But this way at least things can move forward and you can plan. It shows the respect Usyk has for the sport.” Kabayel suggested Usyk may have lost the hunger to defend. “It’s not easy going from hunter to hunted. Maybe at his age he doesn’t want to be hunted anymore and doesn’t have that spirit.”
Usyk has done great things for the sport. I think I belong in that group too, but it wasn’t meant to be. Shame, that would have been a great fight.
What happens next
With Usyk stepping aside, Kabayel could be elevated to full champion by one or more sanctioning bodies, or he will fight for a vacant title. Either outcome would make him Germany’s first heavyweight world champion since Max Schmeling. He has won all 27 professional fights. Usyk, undefeated in his career and the unified cruiserweight champion before moving up, says he will not retire and teased one more bout. Meanwhile, reports have linked him to UFC boss Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing.
