The unbeaten Ukrainian relinquishes the WBA, WBC and IBF belts, ending one of boxing’s greatest heavyweight reigns
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Oleksandr Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) has vacated the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles, ending one of the greatest championship reigns in heavyweight history. The unbeaten Ukrainian leaves the division without a unified champion, while it remains unclear whether he has fought for the final time.
The move follows Usyk’s decision last year to relinquish the WBO title rather than fulfill a mandatory defense, a move that saw Fabio Wardley elevated to full champion, who then lost his title to Daniel Dubois. With the WBA, WBC and IBF belts also surrendered, the heavyweight championship will now be contested through the sanctioning bodies’ vacant title procedures.
Few fighters have matched what Usyk accomplished across two weight classes.
After winning Olympic gold in 2012, Usyk cleaned out the cruiserweight division, becoming the undisputed champion by defeating Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev and Tony Bellew. Rather than remain there, he moved into heavyweight and repeated the feat against naturally bigger men, defeating Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice and Daniel Dubois while becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. He leaves both divisions after beating every elite fighter put in front of him.
His departure immediately changes the heavyweight title picture.
The WBC had ordered a mandatory defense against interim champion Agit Kabayel, while the WBA and IBF were also approaching mandatory title situations. Instead, each organization must now determine its next champion, opening the door for a new generation of heavyweight title challengers.
Whether Usyk has retired remains unclear.
Retirement has been discussed publicly by members of his team in recent weeks, but the former undisputed champion has not confirmed that he has fought his final bout. He has also been linked with exhibition contests and other opportunities outside the traditional championship scene.
Whatever decision comes next, Usyk’s legacy is secure. He leaves the sport as an undefeated heavyweight champion, an undisputed champion in two divisions, an Olympic gold medalist, and one of the most complete fighters of his generation. Few champions have climbed through the sport with so little left to prove.
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 2:35 PM
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