Usyk Vacates Heavyweight Titles, Opens World Title Door for Joshua, Itauma, Ajagba

 



By Abdulahi Musa,


The heavyweight boxing division has been thrown wide open after Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk announced he was vacating his WBA, WBC and IBF world heavyweight titles, creating fresh championship opportunities for former world champion Anthony Joshua and Nigerian boxers Moses Itauma and Efe Ajagba. 


Usyk, who boasts an unbeaten professional record of 25 victories, including 16 knockouts, made the announcement in a video posted on social media, saying he wanted to free up the belts for the next generation of contenders while insisting he is not retiring from boxing.


According to the Ukrainian star, he still plans to have one final fight, which he described as his "last dance," before bringing his illustrious career to a close. 


The decision ends one of the most dominant reigns in heavyweight boxing. During his career, Usyk defeated some of the biggest names in the sport, including Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois and Derek Chisora, becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion of the four-belt era before reclaiming the status again. 


With the titles now vacant, the race to crown new champions has intensified.


The WBC is expected to elevate interim champion Agit Kabayel to full world champion, while British-Nigerian heavyweight Moses Itauma could move closer to a title shot if he defeats Filip Hrgovic in their scheduled August 29 bout, which could serve as a final eliminator for a championship opportunity. 


In the WBA rankings, Itauma currently occupies the No. 1 contender spot, with Anthony Joshua also highly ranked. Nigerian heavyweight Efe Ajagba is positioned among the top contenders and could also benefit from the reshuffling of the division. One option under consideration is for the anticipated Tyson Fury versus Anthony Joshua showdown to be sanctioned for the vacant WBA title. 


The IBF title picture also presents opportunities. Top-ranked contender Frank Sanchez is expected to challenge for the vacant belt, with the winner of the Itauma-Hrgovic fight likely to emerge as his opponent. Ajagba remains inside the IBF's top 15 rankings and could also work his way into title contention. 


For 21-year-old Moses Itauma, widely regarded as one of boxing's brightest prospects, Usyk's decision significantly accelerates his path toward a world title. The unbeaten British-Nigerian has won all 13 of his professional fights, recording 11 knockouts and rapidly climbing the heavyweight rankings. 


Ajagba, meanwhile, continues his resurgence after overcoming previous setbacks in his career. The Delta State-born boxer has rebuilt his standing among the heavyweight elite and is currently Nigeria's highest-ranked heavyweight. 


Joshua, who is rebuilding following his defeat to Daniel Dubois, also finds himself back in the world title conversation, with a long-awaited clash against Tyson Fury potentially carrying championship implications.


Usyk leaves the heavyweight division as one of the greatest fighters of his generation, while his departure from the title scene ushers in a new era in which Joshua, Itauma, Ajagba and several other contenders will battle for boxing's most prestigious heavyweight crowns. 

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