Oleksandr Usyk has reshaped the heavyweight division by walking away from his WBC, WBA and IBF titles, leaving the sport scrambling for new champions.
What happened?
On 12 July 2026, Usyk announced he was relinquishing his WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight belts, ending his second undisputed reign. The move came just months after he dropped the WBO version late in 2025, when Fabio Wardley was elevated to regular champion. Wardley lost that belt to Daniel Dubois in May 2026, setting up a likely rematch.
Why it matters for Oleksandr Usyk
Usyk’s abdication opens the door to a year of title fights and potential matchups for the undisputed crown. He beat Dubois, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice each, leaving little left to prove. The sport now faces a rare gap: for the first time in over a decade, Usyk, Fury and Joshua do not hold any version of the world heavyweight title.
What comes next for the titles?
The WBC upgraded interim champion Agit Kabayel to full champion, likely setting up a homecoming fight in a German football stadium. The IBF has an eliminator between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr already booked, with Sanchez winning. Sanchez is now the No 1 contender, while Moses Itauma (No 3) and Filip Hrgovic (No 4) face off in August for the vacant title.
The WBA’s vacant belt could go to Itauma or Hrgovic after their August clash at London’s O2 Arena. Murat Gassiev holds a WBA version but lacks Kabayel’s global standing, leaving his status unclear. Gassiev fights Tony Yoka in Moscow next month, but that bout won’t carry full-title weight.
What it means for the division
Promoters and brokers are now bidding for a fresh heavyweight world order. A potential undisputed tournament next year could feature Dubois, Fury and Joshua again, though no dates or venues are set. For now, the belts are up for grabs—and the scramble has only just begun.