Oleksandr Usyk has officially stepped away from the heavyweight championship picture, but the Ukrainian star is not ready to walk away from boxing.
The former undisputed champion announced on Friday that he has vacated his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, opening the door for the next group of contenders to compete for the vacant belts.
Usyk gives up heavyweight championship belts
Usyk shared the news through social media, explaining that he believes it is time for other fighters to battle for the division’s biggest prizes.
“It’s a good time to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold,”
He also explained why he made the decision.
“I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them.”
Usyk leaves the heavyweight title scene after building one of the most impressive résumés in modern boxing. After dominating the cruiserweight division, he moved up and defeated several of the sport’s biggest names, including multiple victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois. He also stopped Dubois in both of their meetings.
By relinquishing his sanctioning body titles, Usyk has also freed himself from mandatory challengers such as Agit Kabayel. That leaves the future Hall of Famer in complete control of his final chapter, allowing him to choose the opponent, venue, and circumstances for what could be the last fight of his historic career.
Retirement will have to wait
Although Usyk is giving up his championship belts, he made it clear that fans have not seen him fight for the final time.
“Friends, I’m leaving the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance,”
The 39-year-old also thanked the sanctioning bodies and those who supported his journey throughout his championship run.
“I want to thank everyone. I have great respect for all organizations.”
Usyk ended his message by promising there is still one more chapter left in his career.
“I want to thank everyone and say there’s more to come. Glory to God for everything. Glory to Ukraine.”
What’s next for Oleksandr Usyk?
Oleksandr Usyk may have closed another chapter of his legendary career, but the undefeated heavyweight champion appears far from finished.
According to promoter Eddie Hearn, the most likely next opponent is former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. Speaking to DAZN, Hearn revealed that the framework for the fight is effectively in place, with Usyk eager to add one of the division’s biggest punchers to an already remarkable résumé.
The Ukrainian has already defeated Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, and Daniel Dubois. A victory over Wilder would give him another signature win against one of the defining heavyweights of his era while helping headline the American “Last Dance” Usyk has long envisioned.
Other options remain on the table
While Wilder appears to be the leading candidate, a pair of high-profile alternatives could still reshape Usyk’s plans.
A rematch with kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven remains a lucrative possibility after their dramatic first encounter in Egypt. Verhoeven pushed Usyk to the brink before the boxing champion rallied for an 11th-round stoppage, and Verhoeven’s team has repeatedly called for a second fight.
There have also been ongoing discussions about a trilogy bout with Tyson Fury. However, Fury has been heavily linked to a long-awaited clash with Anthony Joshua, making the timing of another Usyk showdown increasingly difficult.