Oleksandr Usyk announced he is vacating his WBA, IBF, and WBC heavyweight titles to pursue a final career fight, calling it his 'last dance' before retiring. The 39-year-old Ukrainian boxer, known for his undisputed dominance, emphasized he remains active in the sport but will no longer defend the belts.

The decision follows a controversial split decision win over Rico Verhoeven, where Usyk struggled to dominate the kickboxer-turned-pro. ESPN’s No. 2 pound-for-pound fighter highlighted the difficulty of the bout, noting Verhoeven’s limited pro experience (one prior fight). While Usyk’s next match was expected to be a title defense against Agit Kabayel, vacating the titles could reshape his path.

Sergey Lapin, Usyk’s sporting director, revealed the move aims to reunify the heavyweight division for Anthony Joshua, calling it a strategic shift to “give him the opportunity to compete for and reunify them.” Lapin also confirmed Usyk will retain the Ring Magazine title, the lineal championship for proven champions.

Usyk’s legacy as the first male three-time undisputed champion in the four-belt era—achieved at cruiserweight and twice as a heavyweight—cements his status as a boxing icon. His final fights, potentially in the United States, will focus on concluding his career on a personal note rather than title obligations.