The team of Oleksandr Usyk explained his withdrawal from the upcoming WBO championship as a “respectable pause,” rather than a farewell. Usyk lost the title of undisputed heavyweight champion of the world according to the WBO, which he won by defeating British boxer Daniel Dubois in July of this year.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) confirmed that it received official notification from Usyk’s team regarding the relinquishment of his title. It was stated that the decision was made after careful analysis and discussion. The WBO expressed great respect and gratitude to Oleksandr Usyk, calling him a “champion of champions” for his outstanding career, as he was an undefeated champion in two weight categories. According to representatives of the organization, Usyk is a source of pride for Ukraine and a global ambassador of boxing.
For its part, the WBO emphasized that Usyk’s decision is respectable and their doors will always remain open for him and his team. Currently, Usyk remains a heavyweight champion according to other organizations — WBA, WBC, and IBF.
This situation might affect global boxing as Usyk is one of the most influential athletes in the heavyweight category. Participants in this field are awaiting his next steps with great interest.
| Organization | Status |
|---|---|
| WBO | Relinquishment of Title |
| WBA | Champion |
| WBC | Champion |
| IBF | Champion |
