Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight championship belts and will fight one final time before retiring. Usyk described the decision as well-considered and said he believes it will open new opportunities for him.
Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished his WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight championship belts and announced that one final fight will mark the end of his professional career, the Ukrainian confirmed on June 26, 2026.
Usyk, known as "The Cat," stands as one of the most decorated fighters of his era. The 39-year-old southpaw from Ukraine enters retirement with a flawless 24-0-0 professional record, having unified the heavyweight division without a single defeat across two weight classes. Standing six-foot-three with a 78-inch reach, the Ready To Fight representative combined elite technical boxing with rare physicality throughout his career. In announcing the decision, Usyk described it as well-considered and expressed a belief that stepping away from the titles will open new opportunities for him beyond the sport.
By vacating all three major heavyweight belts simultaneously, Usyk leaves the division's championship picture wide open ahead of his farewell appearance.
Why it matters
- The simultaneous vacancy of the WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles creates an immediate scramble among contenders to claim unified championship status.
- Usyk's farewell bout itself carries significant weight, as the identity of his opponent could shape that fighter's career trajectory regardless of the result.
- The departure of an unbeaten unified champion at the top of the sport marks a generational shift in the heavyweight landscape.
