Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his world title belts but confirmed that he is not retiring from the sport.
The Ukrainian announced that he will vacate his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles.
He also shared he will fight for one last time before hanging up his gloves, with his opponent yet to be confirmed.
In a video message posted on social media, Usyk said: “Friends, good afternoon everyone.
“Today is Friday, the weather is beautiful. It’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold.
“I want to make them available, so that the guys who are next in the line can fight for them.”
He continued: “Friends, I’m leaving the belts, but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance.
“I want to thank everyone. I have great respect for all organisations. I want to thank everyone and say there’s more to come. Glory to God for everything. Glory to Ukraine.”
Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his world title belts
| PA
Usyk decided to ditch his WBO title last November, with Fabio Wardley taking the belt.
This stripped him of his title as undisputed champion, which he had claimed after beating Tyson Fury.
Usyk had to defeat Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois to hold all the titles, with the WBA crown being his for over four years.
The Ukrainian was ordered to take on Agit Kabayel, but that fight will no longer take place after the 39-year-old’s move.
Usyk confirmed he will fight one more time
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GETTY
Usyk has not confirmed who his final fight will be against, with suggestions that it could be his most recent opponent, Rico Verhoeven.
The kickboxing icon lost to the Ukrainian in May, courtesy of a late stoppage.
Verhoeven flirted with the idea of fighting Usyk again, commenting under his announcement video.
He wrote: “The last dance ‘rematch time’. Let’s make this the biggest crossover event of this era.”
Usyk boasts an incredible record of 25-0
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REUTERS
Usyk boasts an incredible record of 25-0, with victories against Joshua twice in September 2021 and August 2022.
He beat Fury twice in May 2024 and again in December that year.
The Ukrainian defeated Dubois in 2023 by knockout in the ninth round, as he vacates his belts with a legacy in the sport.
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