Oleksandr Usyk Gives Up Heavyweight Titles, Sparking New Championship Bids

Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk announced on social media that he is relinquishing the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight belts to pursue a final bout of his choosing, with a possible showdown against Deontay Wilder mentioned by his promoter Eddie Hearn. Usyk said he wants “to decide the last stage of his career himself” rather than follow organizational mandates.

The forfeiture left the three belts vacant. The IBF has named Frank Sanchez and British contender Moses Itauma as mandatory challengers, prompting the federation to schedule a fight to fill the vacant title. The vacancy also affected Croatian heavyweight Filip Hrgović, whose scheduled match with Itauma on 29 August could be altered; if Itauma opts for the IBF fight, Hrgović may receive a step‑aside fee and become the next challenger.

These moves have reshaped the heavyweight landscape, opening opportunities for new contenders while Usyk prepares for his eventual farewell fight.