Oleksandr Usyk just shook up the boxing world by announcing he is vacating all three of his heavyweight championship belts.
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The unified champion took to Instagram to share the news, explaining that he wants to give the next wave of contenders their shot at gold. Despite giving up his hardware, Usyk made it clear that his time in the ring is not over yet.
Making Way for the Next Generation
Usyk expressed a desire to see the division move forward, stating that he wants other fighters to have the opportunity to compete for the status he achieved.
“I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold. I want to make them available so the guys that are next in line can fight for them,” Usyk said on Instagram.
His decision instantly creates a massive scramble at the top of the heavyweight division, opening the door for multiple top contenders to vie for the newly vacated championships.
One Final Performance
While the belts are being left behind, Usyk confirmed he is not retiring from boxing. He teased one final massive event on his horizon, which heavily implies the completion of his historic trilogy against Tyson Fury.
“Friends, I’m leaving the belts but the sport because I still have my last dance. I want to thank everybody. Great respect. All organizations, I want to thank. Glory to Ukraine,” said Usyk.
By stepping away from the sanctioning body requirements, Usyk frees himself from mandatory defenses, allowing him to focus entirely on that final massive bout without the administrative complications of holding multiple titles.
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
Last Updated on 2026/06/26 at 12:50 PM