Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts

Heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has declared he is relinquishing his three world title belts, but emphatically stated he is not retiring from the sport. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who boasts an undefeated professional record, announced his decision via social media.

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Good day to everyone. Today is Friday, the weather is good, and it’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold -, to make them free so that the guys who are in line for them can box.

"My friends, I'm giving up the belts, but I'm not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance," Usyk stated. He explained his intention is "to make them free so that the guys who are in line for them can box." This move comes a month after Usyk secured a controversial 11th-round stoppage victory against kick-boxer Rico Verhoeven in a bout where Verhoeven was reportedly leading on the scorecards.

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My friends, I’m giving up the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance.

Usyk has achieved undisputed world champion status in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. His professional career includes 25 victories, with 16 knockouts, in as many fights. His notable wins include multiple victories against British boxers Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois. He secured the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts by defeating Joshua in September 2021, and later added the WBC belt by beating Fury in May 2024. Usyk has had to vacate and then reclaim some belts previously due to mandatory defenses and other circumstances.

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I want to thank everyone; I respect all organisations. I want to thank everyone and say there is more to come.