Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight world titles, but the Ukrainian star has insisted he is not retiring from boxing. In a statement released on Saturday, Usyk said he was stepping aside from the belts to allow other fighters to compete for them, while he pursues other challenges in the sport.
Usyk's Statement on Vacating Titles
"I am not retiring. I am simply vacating the titles to give others the opportunity to fight for them," Usyk said. The 39-year-old former undisputed cruiserweight champion and current unified heavyweight champion has been linked with a potential fight against British star Anthony Joshua, but no deal has been confirmed.
Unfinished Business in Boxing
Usyk, who holds a perfect professional record of 22-0 (14 KOs), has hinted at a possible move back down to cruiserweight or a fight against a top contender. His promoter, Alexander Krassyuk, confirmed that Usyk has no intention of walking away from the sport. "Oleksandr is still hungry. He wants to make history," Krassyuk told reporters.
The decision to vacate comes after Usyk's victory over Tyson Fury in May 2026, which saw him unify the heavyweight division. However, mandatory challengers had been piling up, with the IBF ordering him to face Filip Hrgovic and the WBA demanding a fight with Daniel Dubois. Usyk chose to vacate rather than be stripped.
Impact on Heavyweight Division
The move shakes up the heavyweight landscape. The IBF has already ordered Hrgovic to face Dubois for the vacant title, while the WBA and WBO are expected to sanction their own eliminators. Usyk's departure leaves the division without a unified champion for the first time since 2020.
Despite vacating, Usyk remains the lineal champion and is expected to return to the ring in early 2027. According to sources close to the fighter, a bout against the winner of the Hrgovic-Dubois fight or a rematch with Joshua are the most likely options.
