Usyk vacates heavyweight belts, says new opportunities await
Oleksandr Usyk has vacated his heavyweight world titles. The undisputed champion announced the decision on Friday, calling it a planned move that opens fresh paths in his career.
“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.”
— Oleksandr Usyk, via BBC Sport
What Oleksandr Usyk said
Usyk unified all four major belts in the heavyweight division after beating Tyson Fury twice in 2024. The Ukrainian holds a rematch clause with Fury but has now given up the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO straps. His weight class and next fight remain unclear.
What it moves
The move clears the way for other heavyweight contenders to chase vacant titles. Usyk speaking to BBC Sport said the choice was deliberate. "This is a well-considered decision that I am confident will open new opportunities for me," he said. "This is not the end of the story. The continuation lies ahead." Sanctioning bodies are expected to order eliminators in the coming weeks.
Source: bbc.co.uk. Full Oleksandr Usyk fight history and recent news at boxingnews.com.
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