Usyk Vacates Heavyweight Titles, Focuses on Boxing Career

Oleksandr Usyk, the current heavyweight champion, announced on Friday that he will vacate his three boxing world title belts. The 39-year-old Ukrainian, who has an unbeaten professional record of 25 victories, including 16 knockouts, expressed his desire to focus on his boxing career rather than retire.

This decision comes shortly after a controversial 11th-round stoppage defeat to kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, where Usyk was leading on the scorecards. In his social media post, Usyk stated, "I want to vacate the belt I currently hold," emphasizing that he is not leaving the sport but rather preparing for his "last dance." Usyk is recognized as an undisputed world champion in both cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, having previously defeated notable fighters such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

He won the WBA, WBO, and IBF belts from Joshua in September 2021 and took the WBC belt from Fury in May 2024 before vacating the IBF belt in a rematch with Fury and later the WBO belt.