‘Real Reason’ Why Oleksandr Usyk Gave Up His WBO Heavyweight Title Revealed

Oleksandr Usyk shocked the boxing world by relinquishing his WBO heavyweight championship on Monday evening. The decision to give up the title ended Usyk’s second reign as undisputed heavyweight champion, which began when he knocked out Daniel Dubois at Wembley Stadium in July to add the IBF version of the heavyweight crown to the WBA, WBC and WBO titles that he was already in possession of.

The Ukrainian’s decision was confirmed by the WBO in a statement, with Usyk yet to comment on his reasons for dumping the gold. However, the situation led to good news for Britain’s Fabio Wardley.

JUST IN: Paul vs Joshua: Turki Alalshikh told Anthony Joshua it would be ‘go

Within minutes of it emerging that Usyk was giving up the title, interim WBO heavyweight titleholder Wardley was promoted to full champion. The Ipswich slugger had already earned the opportunity to challenge for the belt after stopping fellow top contender Joseph Parker in controversial fashion last month. However, Wardley, who is unbeaten in 21 fights and has 19 knockout wins, now won’t have to fight to earn the gold.

The WBA statement annoucing Usyk’s decision read:

“The World Boxing Organisation announced today that it has received formal communication from Team Oleksandr Usyk regarding the future of the WBO Heavyweight Championship. After thoughtful consideration, Usyk has elected to relinquish his title. We accept and respect his decision to relinquish the WBO Heavyweight Super Championship. This is not a farewell, but — as expressed by his team — a respectful pause. The doors of the WBO will always remain open to Oleksandr Usyk and his team.”

The governing body went out of their way to insist that there was no ill will towards Usyk after he voluntarily surrendered the belt. There was, though, nothing in the way of an explanation as to why the call had been made.

Why Oleksandr Usyk Really Gave Up WBO Heavyweight Championship

Amid much speculation, Sky Sports Boxing reporter Andy Scott rubbished speculation that Usyk had given up the gold in order to duck Wardley, before explaining what the true motivation likely was behind the decision.

“He [Usyk] hasn’t come out yet and given a reason why he has vacated that belt. He’s been nursing this back injury, hasn’t he, which caused a lot of debate online because he likes a party […] And there were a couple of people who raised an eyebrow and said, ‘Is that really a man who has a back injury and is that the reason he didn’t fight Wardley?’ But there are also people who are calling it a duck from Usyk.

Scott continued: “I would suspect that he doesn’t want to dance to the tune of the governing bodies who have put a time span on things. What is he now, 38? When we all get to that age, the back’s a bit sorer isn’t it, and he probably wants more time to recover, and he wants to plot his own course out of the sport.”

Last month, Usyk suggested that he would like to remain active until his 41st birthday, which is in January 2028. ‘The Cat’ has frequently spoken about his desire to face Tyson Fury or Anthony Joshua in a trilogy fight – or potentially even meet Jake Paul in an MMA bout. While his future plans are unclear, it seems as though the former undisputed cruiserweight champion is now only interested in big fights as he “plots his own course” to retirement in just over two-and-a half years.

Oleksandr Usyk Makes Final Decision On Whether He Will Defend Or Relinquish His WBO Title

Oleksandr Usyk has made a final decision on whether he will be defending his WBO heavyweight title against mandatory challenger Fabio Wardley next.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian superstar has had an exceptional campaign at heavyweight, becoming the first fighter of the ‘four belt era’ to win the undisputed championship on two separate occasions.

READ: Turki Alalshikh Hints At Anthony Joshua Superfight After Jake Paul

Usyk cemented himself as arguably the best heavyweight of his entire generation in July when he stopped Britain’s Daniel Dubois in the 5th round of their historic showdown at Wembley Stadium.

It had been suggested that the Ukrainian great could return to the ring to defend his undisputed championship against Fabio Wardley, who became the WBO mandatory challenger when he defeated Joseph Parker last month.

As revealed by the World Boxing Organization on Monday evening, Usyk has actually decided to relinquish his world title to bring an end to his reign as the undisputed heavyweight champion.

“The World Boxing Organization (WBO) announced today that it has received formal communication from Team Oleksandr Usyk regarding the future of the WBO Heavyweight Championship. After thoughtful consideration, Usyk has elected to relinquish the title.”

This decision means that Wardley has been elevated to full WBO world champion, which was confirmed by the Brit’s promoter Frank Warren shortly after the WBO statement was released.

It has been quite the journey for Ipswich’s Wardley, who made his professional debut back in 2017 without having a single amateur contest. The 30-year-old had just a handful of white collar bouts before entering the paid ranks, where he has defeated the likes of Justis Huni, David Adeleye and Joseph Parker last time out.

Oleksandr Usyk has very little left to prove in the sport of boxing.

After obliterating the cruiserweight division, he made the step-up to heavyweight in October 2019, where he has continued to reign supreme despite constantly fighting opponents with considerable height and weight advantage.

The Ukrainian would get his chance to fight Anthony Joshua for the heavyweight belts in 2021, where the challenger fought in the champion’s homeland, teaching the Briton a boxing lesson for the 12 rounds and becoming the unified heavyweight champion in the process.

The rematch produced the same result as Usyk, in just his fourth bout in the division, was victorious again via a split decision from the judges. He’d then go on to defeat Tyson Fury twice by way of decision to become the undisputed champion, but would have to vacate the IBF title before the rematch with The Gypsy King as the rules stated he had to face mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois next if he was to keep the belt.

JUST IN: Anthony Joshua suffered gruesome in-ring injury before scoring his

Usyk had already beaten Dubois by way of knockout before his first meeting with Fury. The champion would give the Brit his wish at trying to beat Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight crown for a second time after Dubois himself had beaten Anthony Joshua via knockout. Usyk beat DDD emphatically, however, sending the Brit to the canvas in the fifth round to reclaim his undisputed status.

Oleksandr Usyk’s Next Fight & Future in Boxing

Recently, the 38-year-old told Ukrainian source, UNN, “I will box until I am 41.” It left fans shocked after rumours circulated that he could be retiring.

Following Fabio Wardley’s knockout win over Joesph Parker at the weekend, in a bout that would determine the mandatory challenger for the WBO heavyweight title, attention has turned to a match-up between both Wardley and Usyk next.

The 30-year-old has knocked out 19 fighters of the 20 he has faced in his professional career. While Usyk is no ordinary fighter, the undisputed heavyweight champion isn’t getting any younger and being in the ring with a knockout artist is dangerous for any fighter.

His former promoter and advisor, Alexsander Krassyuk, has expressed his thoughts on the potential fight. Speaking to Boxing King Media, Krassyuk said: “I am public in my [opinion], I want (Oleksandr) Usyk to retire as fast as possible.

Despite the promoter’s concerns about his former fighter, the champion will not be intimidated by any boxer, like we have seen in the past. The Ukrainian must first recover from a back injury he sustained in training which has kept him out of the ring for longer than anticipated, with his expected return to action next year.

Oleksandr Uysk’s next opponent is confirmed with undisputed champion set to return to action in first half of 2026

Frank Warren has confirmed the winner of Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley at the O2 on Saturday evening will face Oleksandr Usyk next.

Parker and Wardley top the bill on Saturday’s Queensberry Promotions card at the O2, where the New Zealander will defend his interim WBO heavyweight crown.

Victory for either fighter will secure mandatory challenger status for the WBO title currently held by Usyk, who also reigns as the unified and Ring Magazine heavyweight champion.

READ: Oleksandr Usyk Reveals the Truth About His Role During the War

Under the governing bodies’ system, the WBO is next in line to call a mandatory defence. That order was originally issued in July, but plans were pushed back following Usyk’s back injury.

There had been speculation that Usyk might vacate his titles to pursue a third fight with Anthony Joshua or a showdown with Tyson Fury. However, Warren appears to have dismissed those suggestions.

Usyk is expected to return to action in the first half of 2026, and the Parker-Wardley winner now appears poised to be first in line for a shot at the undisputed champion when he steps back into the ring.

Speaking at Thursday’s press conference, Warren said: ‘At the moment in heavyweight division, it’s the best fight out there.

‘These two guys have stepped up. Neither of them needed to, neither of them needed to make this fight. You know Joe Parker. He’s the interim champion.

‘The WBO already ordered that Usyk has to defend his belt against him. But he’s injured. Joe could have sat around and waited but he said no. He said he wanted to fight anyway.

‘From Fabio, again, he’s in a fantastic position, and he only had to wait his time, and he would have got a crack at the title. He also said no, I want to fight as well. And not only that, I want to fight Joe Parker.

‘These guys are well trained. They’ve not left anything, no stone unturned. They’re in their best condition. You’re going to get something special on the night. And the prize is there for the winner. The winner gets the fight, Mr Usyk. They will get to fight for the WBO belt and all other three belts.

‘Mr Usyk has said that he will take on the winner of Parker vs Wardley. He has said that he will take that fight next year. So, that’s the prize they are fighting for. It’s all or nothing for the winner.’

Meanwhile, Parker’s manager David Higgins said: ‘I have to admit, a little bit cynical about Usyk’s motivation for what is next. But, I was involved in a couple of phone calls that were quite encouraging the week.

‘Those phone calls suggested to me that Usyk absolutely does value the unified position and will honour it. Now I’m increasingly confident in the winner of this fight [Parker vs Wardley] will get a shot for the undisputed title which makes this a very exciting eliminator situation.’

Undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk spoke in detail about his time defending his homeland.

This period saw him photographed holding a rifle and standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow Ukrainian soldiers.

The haunting images sparked years of speculation over whether Usyk ever had to use his weapon. Now, more than three years later, WBN found an interview where the heavyweight king set the record straight.

READ: Heavyweight Who Knocked Out Wilder ‘Waiting’ On Anthony Joshu

The Journey Home
On seeing his family for the first time in months during the startling first period of the war, Usyk detailed his journey back to his homeland.

“I had to cancel a direct flight to Kyiv,” Usyk told Profiboxing.cz upon his return a couple of years ago. “I came back via Poland. It took a day to get to Kyiv. Then another two to see my family, and I calmed down a bit.”

The unified champion’s return was fraught with tension. After reuniting with his loved ones, Usyk joined local volunteers working to safeguard key areas as fighting intensified nearby.

‘I May Have Picked Up a Gun, But I Would Never Use It’
In the midst of those chaotic days, photos of Usyk armed with a rifle began circulating worldwide — prompting praise, rumors, and questions.

Usyk has now made his position clear.

“I may have picked up a gun, but that doesn’t mean I would use it,” he said firmly. “I never shot anyone.”

He credited his faith for guiding him through the ordeal.

“I was brought up in the Orthodox faith, which teaches us not to judge others. But for me, whoever supports war is a schizophrenic, a sick person.”

Family Under Threat
Usyk also described the trauma experienced by his family and neighbors during those early attacks.

“I know they shot at our house, broke down the gate, and dragged away some of our neighbors,” he said. “But I don’t know what it looks like there now. We can’t get in touch with anyone. It’s terrible when yours run to hide in the basement at every rustle.”

A Champion’s Perspective
Asked what he would say to those behind the violence, Usyk’s reply was measured and emotionless.

“What would I say to him? Nothing. I’m not interested in the man. I have nothing to say to him.”

For Usyk, boxing became a way to process the experience — a focus that kept him grounded.

“I didn’t think for a moment that I would stay there. This fight will be special for me in that respect.”

Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed he’ll fight on for “three more years” — meaning the reigning heavyweight king could remain at the top until age 41.

The undisputed champion revealed his plans on his Ready to Fight platform, vowing to keep boxing until his body — or the mandatory queue — says otherwise.

“I’ll fight until I’m 41,” Usyk told his Ready to Fight venture alongside Sergey Lapin. “Then I’ll build a sports academy. I’ll train there and train others.”

The Ukrainian maestro, who dethroned Tyson Fury last year and repeated the feat in December 2025, appears set for another mandatory merry-go-round that could define the remainder of his career.

JUST IN: How Terence Crawford Owes Turki Alalshikh a Real Fight, After Ca

Usyk’s Next Move
“I can’t say who exactly because negotiations are ongoing,” Usyk admitted. “I’d like to make something up for you right now.”

With the sanctioning bodies circling, Usyk’s next four fights will likely come from a pool of six contenders outlined by World Boxing News. They are Joseph Parker, Fabio Wardley (depending on who wins their bout), Agit Kabayel, Tyson Fury, Deontay Wilder, and rising phenom Moses Itauma.

The Mandatory Chaos
Each presents a different kind of challenge. Kabayel, as the WBC’s mandatory, is a logical step for late 2026 or early 2027. Fury, of course, is pushing hard for the trilogy — desperate to regain the prestige he lost in Riyadh. Parker continues his late-career surge, and Wardley’s stock is rising. The winner of their October 25 clash will be first in line, potentially for a spot in the spring of next year in Saudi Arabia.

Finally, Wilder could still earn redemption if his comeback momentum holds, and he defeats a top name by the time Usyk completes the first stipulated title defense.

Then there’s Itauma — the 20-year-old prodigy already linked to a “passing of the torch” bout that Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh is said to want before Usyk hangs up the gloves.

“He Doesn’t Hit Grandpas!”
Usyk laughed off talk of facing Itauma anytime soon, though he didn’t completely rule it out.

“No, I won’t fight Itauma [in the next fight]. He’s young — always teasing me,” Usyk joked. “And he said himself he doesn’t hit grandpas!”

The coming years could see Usyk move through a mix of mandatories, mega-fights, and legacy bouts — perhaps ending with one final Riyadh blockbuster before his planned retirement.

“Next year,” Usyk added, “and, God willing, I’ll win.”

For boxing fans, that means three more years of brilliance, chaos, and unpredictability — all led by the sport’s most disciplined “grandpa.”

Usyk’s Possible Finale
Spring 2026 | Parker or Wardley

Fall 2026 | Wilder or Fury

Early 2027 | Kabayel

Final bout in late 2027 | Itauma