"The last dance": Usyk refused all belts

Ukrainian boxer Alexander Usyk announced that he was giving up all belts according to the versions of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), the World Boxing Association (WBA) and the World Boxing Council (WBC) heavyweight.

"This is a conscious decision, which, I am sure, will open up new opportunities for me. This is not the end of the story. The sequel is ahead," he said on Instagram❶.

The 39-year-old athlete also announced that he would hold another fight — "Last dance".

"I want to release all the belts I own now so that the guys in the queue box for them. I'm releasing the belts, but I'm not retiring from the sport. I still have the last dance," Usyk said on the video in stories.

In the last match on May 23, Usyk defeated Dutch kickboxer Rick Verhoeven by technical knockout in the 11th round on the territory of the Pyramids complex in Giza and defended the WBC championship title. Usyk won all 25 fights in the professional ring. He was twice world heavyweight champion, once in the first heavyweight.

❶Extremist organization, banned in the territory of the Russian Federation