KYIV, Ukraine— Undisputed former heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk on Friday, June 26, 2026, announced that he has vacated the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles to clear the path for other fighters, but insisted he is not retiring and will return for one final bout.
Usyk said he is keeping the Ring Magazine title. He had already relinquished the WBO belt last year, when Fabio Wardley was elevated to champion.
Last Dance’ but not retirement
In an Instagram/X video posted Friday, the 39-year-old Ukrainian said: “Today is a good day to announce that I want to give up all the titles that I now hold. To leave them free so that all the guys that are standing in line behind me can box for them”.
He added: “My friends, I am giving up my titles, but I am not leaving sport because I have a last dance... there is more to come. Glory to God, Glory to Ukraine”.
In the caption he wrote: “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”.
What happens to the belts
WBC: Interim champion Agit Kabayel is expected to be elevated to full champion. Usyk had been ordered to face Kabayel, but that order is now void.
WBA: Murat Gassiev holds the secondary “world” title and is set to defend July 11 vs Tony Yoka. The WBA could elevate him following Usyk’s vacancy.
IBF: Frank Sanchez is No.1, with Moses Itauma vs Filip Hrgovic also in the mix for an eliminator to face Sanchez for the vacant title.
WBO: Already vacant since November 2025 when Usyk gave it up. Wardley was upgraded at that time.
One final fight planned
Usyk, 39 and 25-0, confirmed he will fight one final time before retiring. An opponent has not been set.
Options being discussed include a rematch with kickboxer Rico Verhoeven after their controversial May 23 TKO at the Pyramids, or a money fight that would free him from mandatory defenses.
Recent drama
Usyk’s last outing was May 23, when he scored an 11th-round TKO over Verhoeven with just one second remaining in the round. Verhoeven was ahead on one judge’s card before the stoppage. Team Usyk had been weighing a Kabayel fight against retirement over money demands.
Bottom line: Usyk vacates the three major sanctioning-body belts to allow the next generation to compete, but the former undisputed champion plans one more fight before ending his career.
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