Oleksandr Usyk Vacates Heavyweight Title Belts, But Not His Career
In a surprising announcement made on Friday, heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk revealed that he is voluntarily relinquishing his three world title belts while simultaneously affirming that he has no intention of retiring from the sport. The 39-year-old Ukrainian boxer, celebrated for his impeccable unbeaten record, expressed his desire to clear the title pathways for others aspiring to climb the ranks of boxing.
Decision to Vacate Titles
During a social media announcement, Usyk shared, “Today is 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.” This came just one month after a highly contentious match against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, where Usyk secured victory via an 11th-round stoppage which some critics deemed questionable. Verhoeven, competing in only his second boxing match, had been leading on the scorecards until the dramatic conclusion.
Reflection on Career
Proudly reflecting on his journey, Usyk added, “My friends, I’m giving up the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance.” This statement reinforces his commitment to boxing, hinting at future aspirations that remain unfulfilled even after a prestigious career. Acknowledging the support he has received, he expressed gratitude toward boxing organizations and fans, indicating that further achievements may be on the horizon.
Usyk’s Impressive Record
Throughout his career, Usyk has gained recognition as an undisputed champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, boasting a flawless record of 25 victories, with 16 of those wins by knockout. His illustrious amateur career includes titles as an Olympic, world, and European champion. Notably, he has triumphed over prominent British competitors, including Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Daniel Dubois, defeating each of them twice.
Title History Highlights
Usyk won the WBA, WBO, and IBF titles by defeating Joshua in September 2021 and subsequently claimed the WBC title from Fury in May 2024. While his rematch against Fury required vacating the IBF belt, he managed to regain that title by overcoming Dubois in July 2025, only to vacate the WBO title later that year. Following this series of events, Dubois went on to win the WBO title after defeating fellow Briton Fabio Wardley in May.
