Oleksandr Usyk to vacate three heavyweight titles ahead of planned retirement bout
CBS Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Oleksandr Usyk announced he is vacating his WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight titles ahead of what is expected to be his retirement bout, while confirming he is not leaving the sport entirely.
- Usyk, 39, made the announcement via social media one month after a come-from-behind TKO win over former kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, a fight in which Usyk appeared to struggle.
- The Ukrainian fighter, who moved up to heavyweight in 2019, has an undefeated record of 25-0 and is a two-time undisputed heavyweight champion as well as a former undisputed cruiserweight king.
- Usyk’s career highlights include Olympic gold in 2012, unifying cruiserweight titles in 2018, and heavyweight victories over top fighters such as Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, and Derek Chisora.
- While Usyk plans to have one final fight, he has not disclosed any details regarding his opponent or the timing of this bout.
