Usyk vacates heavyweight titles but confirms he will continue boxing

Unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk says he is vacating his three world titles and is planning one "last dance" before calling it a career.

CAIRO, EGYPT - MAY 23: Oleksandr Usyk celebrates after beating Rico Verhoeven in their WBC World Heavyweight Title during the Glory in Giza - Fight Night at The Pyramids Of Giza, on May 23, 2026 in Cairo, Egypt. (Photo by Mark Robinson/Getty Images). | Getty Images Oleksandr Usyk is no longer carrying heavyweight championship gold. The now former unified champion announced on social media Friday that he has made the decision to vacate all three of his world titles — WBA, IBF and WBC heavyweight belts. Це свідоме рішення, яке, я впевнений, відкриє для мене нові можливості. Це не кінець історії. Продовження попереду. ____ 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 “It’s a good time to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold,” Usyk said. “I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them.” Usyk, a former undisputed champion in two different weight classes, has had an incredible run at heavyweight following his successful cruiserweight career. Since bumping up to his current class, Usyk holds multiple wins over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Daniel Dubois — knocking out the latter in both victories. In his most recent bout, Usyk came away with a controversial stoppage win over former GLORY heavyweight champ Rico Verhoeven in May in a matchup that was wildly more competitive than anyone expected it to be. Along with his announcement to vacate the belts, Usyk also revealed he’s not retiring from the sport of boxing — at least, not yet. “Friends, I’m leaving the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance,” Usyk explained. “I want to thank everyone. I have great respect for all organizations. I want to thank everyone and say there’s more to come. Glory to God for everything. Glory to Ukraine.”

Usyk is a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion and former undisputed cruiserweight king

Boxing’s heavyweight division can move into to a new era after pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk announced plans to vacate his three world titles on Friday.

Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk says he will vacate all his belts but is not retiring.

Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk says he will vacate all his belts but is not retiring.