Heavyweight champion Usyk says vacating heavyweight world title belts

Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, 39, announced on Friday June 26, 2026 that he is vacating his WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight title belts, stating he wants to free them up for contenders, though he is not retiring. The unbeaten Ukrainian's decision comes just one month after he narrowly avoided defeat to kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, requiring a controversial 11th-round stoppage to secure victory. Usyk had previously held the undisputed titles at both cruiserweight and heavyweight.