Boxing’s heavyweight division can move into to a new era after pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk announced plans to vacate his three world titles on Friday.
“Today is Friday, the weather is beautiful, and it’s a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold,” Usyk said. “I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them.
“Friends, I’m leaving the belts but I’m not leaving the sport because I still have my last dance.”
Uncrowned’s No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer, Usyk (25-0, 16 KOs) confirmed that his decision to vacate his unified WBA, WBC and IBF world titles will not signal the end of his storied career. It appears that Usyk will step into the boxing ring one last time in a non-title fight.
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The Ukrainian two-weight undisputed champion was pushed to the limit by kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in May. A rematch between the pair appeared a natural fight to make, but Usyk’s obligation to defend his WBC heavyweight title against Agit Kabayel seemed to take priority. Now that obligation is no more, and thus an Usyk-Verhoeven rematch may be next for all parties.
As for Usyk’s vacated belts at heavyweight, it is likely that Kabayel will be upgraded to full WBC champion or be ordered to fight Tyson Fury for the vacant championship.
The IBF has Frank Sanchez occupying it’s No. 1 contender spot with Moses Itauma ranked at No. 3, but that fight is unlikely to be ordered because Itauma already has a fight scheduled against Filip Hrgovic on Aug. 29 and thus would be considered unavailable.
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The WBA Regular belt is owned by Murat Gassiev, who in all likelihood will find himself a full world champion in the coming days. Itauma is mandatory to Gassiev.
Usyk also previously held the WBO heavyweight crown but vacated it this past November. It is currently in the hands of Daniel Dubois.
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