Usyk Vacates All Three Belts — And Boxing's Heavyweight Map Is Torn Up

• Oleksandr Usyk vacates the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in one move, confirming one final fight remains before retirement
• Daniel Dubois is left as the last titleholder with the WBO belt, while interim champion Agit Kabayel is in line for the WBC
• Usyk exits with wins over Joshua, Fury and Dubois twice each across just nine heavyweight fights

Usyk Walks Away From All Three Belts

Right then, this is the biggest heavyweight story of the year and it's not even close. Oleksandr Usyk has vacated the WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight titles in one go. Make no mistake — when Usyk vacates heavyweight titles he held as the undisputed king, the whole division gets tipped upside down overnight. Let's not beat around the bush. This isn't a retirement. Usyk has been crystal clear that he's got one fight left in him — a "last dance" — and he's walking away from the belts on his own terms rather than being dragged into another mandatory cycle. That's a proper champion's exit, and you can't knock him for it.

What Happens To The Belts

So where does it leave us? Daniel Dubois is now the last man standing with a major strap, holding the WBO title. The WBC is expected to swing toward interim champion Agit Kabayel, who has been quietly battering everyone put in front of him and deserves his shot. The WBA and IBF will start their own scrambles to crown new champions. Here's my take: this is the cleanest thing that could have happened to the heavyweights. We've been crying out for movement at the top for years, and Usyk vacating heavyweight titles forces it. Suddenly there are belts on the table and a queue of contenders who actually have a route to them.

The Legacy Question

Let's give the man his due. Usyk leaves the division having beaten Anthony Joshua twice, Tyson Fury twice and Dubois twice, all in the space of nine heavyweight fights. Nine. That is a ridiculous run — he announced himself the moment he stepped up from cruiserweight and never looked back. He's levels above what most of these big lads have managed in twice the time. If you know, you know: a cruiserweight who moves up and cleans out the heavyweight division without losing is a generational talent. We won't see another like him for a long time.

My Prediction For The New Era

I'll plant my flag. Kabayel ends up with the WBC and proves he was the most avoided man in the division all along. Dubois holds the WBO and becomes the name everyone wants, because beating Daniel gets you a recognised belt and a marquee night. And the real prize? Whoever can hoover up two or three of these vacant straps and call themselves the new face of the heavyweights. The door is wide open now. That's brilliant for the sport — but it's a reminder of just how good Usyk was that it took him leaving for the rest of them to get a look in.