The undefeated Ukrainian vacates the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles while confirming one final fight, sending the division into a race for three vacant championships.
Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) has vacated his titles, ending one of the greatest championship reigns of the four-belt era while confirming he is not retiring. The unbeaten Ukrainian says he has one fight remaining before ending his career, leaving the WBA, WBC and IBF titles vacant and opening the race to crown the next heavyweight champions.
Usyk explained the decision in a video: “Today is Friday, it’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold,” he said.
He said that he wanted the titles to move on to the next generation of contenders.
“I want to make them available, so that the guys who are next in the line can fight for them.”
Usyk’s decision immediately changes the heavyweight picture. Agit Kabayel had been waiting for a WBC title shot, while the WBA and IBF will now begin the process of crowning new champions.
The Ukrainian also dismissed suggestions that his decision signals retirement.
“Friends, I’m leaving the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance.”
The 39-year-old confirmed he intends to fight once more before ending his career, although he did not reveal his opponent. A rematch with Rico Verhoeven remains one possibility after their hard-fought meeting in May, while other options have yet to be ruled out.
Usyk leaves the heavyweight division unbeaten, having become the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era before reclaiming that distinction during one of the strongest championship runs of the modern era.
Usyk walks away with one of the strongest resumes. He cleaned out cruiserweight before becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion, beating Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice, Daniel Dubois twice, and Derek Chisora. The division now moves on without the man who set the standard, leaving the leading contenders to fight over the belts he leaves behind.
Це свідоме рішення, яке, я впевнений, відкриє для мене нові можливості. Це не кінець історії. Продовження попереду.
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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. pic.twitter.com/tPRRWMsmbh
— Oleksandr Usyk (@usykaa) June 26, 2026