In a video message shared on social media, Usyk confirmed his decision in candid terms.
“Today is Friday, the weather is beautiful, and it is a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold. I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them. Friends, I am leaving the belts but I am not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance.”
The move closes a defining chapter in heavyweight boxing. Usyk leaves the division unbeaten with a professional record of 25 wins and 16 knockouts, having established himself as the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era. His résumé includes multiple victories over Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois and Derek Chisora, cementing his status as one of the sport’s most accomplished figures.
His sporting director, Sergey Lapin, confirmed the decision was taken with the broader health of the division in mind, adding that Usyk’s final fight is expected to take place in the United States.
Championship Picture Thrown Wide Open
Usyk’s exit has immediately reshaped the landscape across the WBA, WBC and IBF, with several fighters now positioned to step into newly vacant or elevated title roles.
At the WBC, interim champion Agit Kabayel is widely expected to be upgraded to full champion status. Attention now turns to the contenders lining up for mandatory challenges, with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua already contracted for a high-profile bout, while British-Nigerian prospect Moses Itauma is set to face Filip Hrgovic on August 29 at London’s O2 Arena—an encounter that could prove decisive in determining the next mandatory challenger.
The WBA rankings place Itauma at number one, with Jarrell Miller, Fury, Joshua and Nelson Hysa also in the top tier, while Nigeria’s Efe Ajagba sits at number nine. One possible pathway under discussion could see Fury and Joshua contest a vacant “super” title if sanctioning conditions align.
At the IBF, Frank Sanchez has secured mandatory challenger status following his victory over Richard Torrez Jr in a final eliminator earlier this year. Itauma and Hrgovic, ranked third and fourth respectively, could move closer to that position depending on the outcome of their upcoming clash, while Ajagba remains within the organisation’s top 15.
Rising Stars and Nigerian Contenders in Focus
For Moses Itauma, the developments accelerate an already rapid ascent. The 21-year-old British-Nigerian prospect remains unbeaten in 13 professional fights, with 11 wins by knockout and nine inside the first two rounds. His most notable statement came in August 2025, when he stopped former world title challenger Dillian Whyte in a single round to capture the Commonwealth heavyweight title. He also sits prominently across multiple sanctioning body rankings, including as the WBO’s leading contender behind interim champion Joseph Parker.
Efe Ajagba’s position marks a quieter but steady rise back into contention. The 31-year-old Nigerian Olympian from Delta State, who competed at the 2016 Rio Games, holds a professional record of 20 wins, one loss and one draw with 14 knockouts. After setbacks linked to a previous IBF dispute, he has rebuilt his standing and entered The Ring magazine’s heavyweight top 10 in 2025, becoming Nigeria’s sole representative among the division’s elite.
Anthony Joshua remains firmly in the mix as he continues rebuilding after his loss to Daniel Dubois, while Tyson Fury—returning in April with a win over Arslanbek Makhmudov—remains a central figure in any unification or vacant-title discussions. Fury is also expected to move toward a high-stakes bout with Joshua later this year, a fight that could itself carry championship implications depending on sanctioning decisions.
A Division Without Its Benchmark
Usyk’s departure leaves behind a division without its defining champion but with an unusually open hierarchy. The Ukrainian exits unbeaten, widely regarded as one of the most technically complete heavyweights of his generation.
What follows is a reset: multiple sanctioning bodies, rising contenders, and long-awaited blockbuster matchups now poised to determine the next era of heavyweight boxing.