LONDON: Ukraine’s undefeated heavyweight world champion Olek­sandr Usyk said on Friday he had vacated his WBC, WBA and IBF belts to pursue a ‘last dance’ final fight, likely in the United States.

Usyk, 39, has had 25 professional bouts and became the undisputed heav­yweight champion when he handed Briton Tyson Fury his first loss in 2024.

“Today is a good day to announce that I want to give up all the titles that I now hold. To leave them free so that all the guys that are standing in line behind me can box for them,” Usyk said in an Instagram video. “My friends, I am giving up my titles but I am not leaving sport because I have a last dance.”

German boxer Agit Kabayel, who is the current WBC interim champion, may now be promoted to full championship status. Britain’s Daniel Dubois is the WBO champion.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026