Aleksandr Usyk, one of the most decorated boxers of modern times, has decided to vacate all his championship belts — WBC, WBA, and IBF. This move came as a surprise to many, but, as it turned out, it was dictated by the athlete's personal principles and his desire to control the final chapter of his career.
Why did Usik give up the titles?
According to the director of the former champion's team, Sergei Lapin, Usik's decision is linked to his unwillingness to depend on boxing organization officials and to drag out the time for mandatory defenses. "Now he wants to decide for himself what the final chapter of his career will be, rather than letting circumstances or mandatory title defenses make that choice for him," Lapin stated.
The promoter emphasized that this step was taken out of respect for the entire world of boxing. "He made a conscious decision to give up the championship belts to breathe new life into the heavyweight division, give new champions a chance to show themselves, and help move this sport forward," the team director added.
What's next?
Usik plans to fight only one more time in his career. "Alexander has already achieved almost everything one can achieve in boxing. When he feels the time is right, he will make that decision himself. He has earned the right to decide when and how to close this chapter," Lapin concluded.
The boxer has become an undisputed champion three times in two divisions — cruiserweight and heavyweight. His record includes victories over the entire modern boxing elite: Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, Daniel Dubois, and kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven.
Reaction of the boxing world
The first to react to Usik's decision was the World Boxing Council (WBC). The organization's president, Mauricio Sulaiman, officially announced that the German fighter Agit Kabaal, who previously held the interim title and was a mandatory challenger, is recognized as the new full-fledged world champion.
The fate of the other vacant belts (IBF and WBA) will be determined in the near future. The boxing world is eagerly awaiting who will take the vacant spots and how the balance of power in the heavyweight division will change.