Undefeated heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk made a major announcement Friday, revealing he has stepped down from his WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles in order to pursue one final bout.
The 39-year-old Ukrainian fighter boasts a flawless professional record of 25 wins and zero losses. He cemented his place in boxing history in 2024 when he handed British fighter Tyson Fury the first defeat of his career, claiming undisputed heavyweight champion status in the process.
Usyk, who also won Olympic gold in 2012, had already given up his WBO belt last year. Most recently, he picked up a TKO victory over Rico Verhoeven just last month.
In a video posted to Instagram, Usyk explained his decision: “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.”
Despite walking away from his championships, Usyk made clear his career is not over. “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,” he added.
