KHALED DESOUKI / AFP
Photo by KHALED DESOUKI / AFP
Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk reacts after defeating Netherlands’ Rico Verhoeven (off frame) by TKO during their WBC World Heavyweight Championship 'Glory in Giza' boxing match at the Pyramids of Giza on May 23, 2026.
The heavyweight boxing division has been thrown wide open following Oleksandr Usyk’s stunning announcement on Friday that he is vacating his WBA, WBC and IBF world heavyweight titles, creating a cascade of championship opportunities that place three Nigerians, Moses Itauma and Efe Ajagba, as well as former two-time world champion Anthony Joshua, firmly in contention for boxing’s most coveted prizes.
Usyk, who holds a professional record of 25 wins and 16 knockouts, made the announcement in a video posted on social media, saying, “Today is Friday, the weather is beautiful, and it is a good day to say that I want to vacate all the belts I currently hold. I want to make them available so the guys who are next in line can fight for them. Friends, I am leaving the belts but I am not leaving the sport, because I still have my last dance.”
