Oleksandr Usyk has announced that he will be vacating his belts but is not retiring from boxing.
The undefeated heavyweight superstar, 39, was in possession of the WBA 'super', WBC and IBF belts.
He will allow his rivals to now compete for those titles while he plots his next move and last Friday posted on X: 'This is a well-considered decision that I am confident will open new opportunities for me. This is not the end of the story. The continuation lies ahead.'
The Ukrainian later elaborated in a video message shared on Instagram: 'Good afternoon friends, good afternoon everyone! It's Friday, the weather is beautiful, a good time to say 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'm leaving the belts but not leaving the sport because I still have the last dance.
'I want to thank everyone, I have great respect for all organisations and want to say there's more to come! Glory to God for everything, glory to Ukraine!'
