Oleksandr Usyk Vacates 3 Heavyweight Titles Ahead of June 30 Deadline

3 articles · Updated · MMA Junkie · Jun 26

Usyk said in an Instagram video that he is surrendering the IBF, WBA and WBC belts immediately, ending his next fight’s status as a world-title bout while insisting his “last dance” is still ahead.
June 30 had been the WBC’s deadline to book a unification fight with interim champion Agit Kabayel, and Usyk’s camp said the move also opens a path for Anthony Joshua to compete for and reunify the vacated titles.
Mauricio Sulaiman, the WBC president, called the decision disappointing and said he learned of it from social media rather than directly from the champion.
Usyk, 39, remains unbeaten at 25-0 with 16 knockouts and will keep the Ring Magazine belt, leaving his final opponent uncertain after last month’s controversial 11th-round TKO over Rico Verhoeven.