Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his WBC, WBA, IBF and Ring Magazine world heavyweight titles – but revealed he has not retired.
Usyk, who is coming off a contentious stoppage win over kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven, has decided to drop the three sanctioning body belts in a move which has blown the heavyweight division wide open.
However, the Ukrainian will not be retiring from the sport just yet as he revealed he will be fighting one last time before hanging up his gloves.
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Oleksandr Usyk survived an incredible performance from kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven as the fight was waved off with seconds remaining in the 11th round. Highlights courtesy of DAZN and Ring Magazine
In a video posted on social media, Usyk, who has an undefeated professional record of 25 wins, said: “It’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold. I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them.
“I’m leaving the belts but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance.”
He added: “I want to thank everyone. I have great respect for all organisations. I want to thank everyone and say more to come.”
In the caption of his social media post, Usyk wrote: “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.”
Usyk, one of the greatest heavyweights of this generation, has been a champion in the division since 2021 when he dethroned Anthony Joshua.
He held the undisputed heavyweight title twice and and is also a former undisputed cruiserweight champion.
Will Kabayel be elevated to new WBC champion?
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Moses Itauma’s promoter Frank Warren has suggested his fighter could fight Oleksandr Usyk next should he emerge victorious against Filip Hrgovic
Usyk was due to box mandatory challenger Agit Kabayel to remain the WBC title holder but it now seems the German will be elevated as the new champion.
Young Briton Moses Itauma is also on course to fight for a heavyweight world title.
Itauma is due to fight Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic on August 29, with the clash to be held at the O2 arena in London.
The WBO championship is held by Daniel Dubois and Itauma expects to meet the Londoner in an all-British heavyweight clash in 2027.
