Usyk Vacates All Belts, But Promises He's Not Retiring

[Welshy]

Heavyweight world champion Oleksandr Usyk says he will vacate all his belts but is not retiring.

The 39-year-old, who has an undefeated professional record of 25 wins, held the WBA 'super', WBC and IBF belts.

"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," he said on X.

He added in a video message: "I want to vacate all the belts that I currently hold to make them available for the guys next in line to fight for them.

"Friends, I'm leaving the belts but not the sport because I still have my last dance."

He's basically retired without officially retiring then. He has nothing left to prove and should retired undefeated.

The division can move on now as well - Dubois, Itauma, and Kabayel are the future of the HW division and will be the ones holding the belts.

 

[Franco Pinion]

Correct move, Father Time waits for no man, and it was evident in his last fight that age had caught up with him. I don't think he would be able to compete with a Kabayel or Itauma.

He'll probably have one more fight, possibly against the winner of the Fury/Joshua fight, or he may give Verhoeven his rematch.

Usyk has been a great fighter - I'd be happy if he never steps foot in a ring again.

 

[Dylan]

I wasn't expecting that but I'd say he more than deserves to go out on his own terms. He's gamely challenged and defended against the biggest names - why chase a loss?

 

[Bingo]

I reckon the Verhoeven rematch is next, and that he'll be sticking to crossover/novelty-type fights from now on. Clearly had one foot out of the door since the Dubois rematch and has seemingly had no interest in mooted fights with Parker, Wardley and now Kabayel over the last 12 months.