BoxRec

He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

Thank f*ck. He's done it all and should retire while he's at the top.

He definitely realized in his last fight that he has lost a step. He had planned two more fights, according to him. Now, it's just one after giving up all the belts.
I wonder if it's Rico or an exhibition (like a 50 year old Klitschko).
I hope it's an exhibition and he retires with his perfect 25-0 record.

Also...he looks different EVERY SINGLE TIME I SEE HIM.

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

He did defend his titles. He's defended them multiple times. He doesn't need some organization to continue to dictate to him which moves he makes. It's his career. Not theirs.

Good for him.
No matter what you cannot fight everyone.

One more fight sounds good. Much prefer that than going the Evander Holyfield route.

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

Who should Usyk have faced that Fury and Joshua beat? Even more so, who should Usyk have faced that Wilder beat? And then why should he have faced those victims ahead of Joshua and Fury?

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

Just pure crap

When you unify all of the belts and are at the tail end of your career. You have a right to finish it as you see fit. Usyk has more than earned the right to go out his way.
There will always be another #1 contender to face with 4 belts. He can't face them all.
Let everyone else fight for those belts to become the heir apparent.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

He just doesn't want any part of Kabayel.

DrDuke wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 23:53

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

He just doesn't want any part of Kabayel.

Could be, but I doubt that's it. Kabayel doesn't seem all that scary to me.

He may recognize though that he has many better options and he's standing in the way of some people's chances at big fights.

I figure it's mainly about not wanting to pay sanctioning fees or be told who to fight and when.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 23:59

DrDuke wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 23:53

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

He just doesn't want any part of Kabayel.

Could be, but I doubt that's it. Kabayel doesn't seem all that scary to me.

He may recognize though that he has many better options and he's standing in the way of some people's chances at big fights.

I figure it's mainly about not wanting to pay sanctioning fees or be told who to fight and when.

Of course, he isn't literally scared. He just doesn't want to take a risk against the most dangerous, but not popular opponent. Why to take such risk? You can spoil your legacy and earn less money at the same time. Definitely not rational. Ducking #1 opponent, whom nobody will remember much in future, is better than receiving the 1st loss from him and making not an undefeated record, which everyone will remember forever.

What happens to the WBC, WBA, and IBF titles now?

WBC

Seems the clearest-cut of the vacancies, as the most likely scenario with the WBC is that Kabayel will be named their full champion. This is fair enough; Kabayel (27-0, 19 KO) has held the interim title since February 2025, when he beat Zhilei Zhang to win it, and defended in January against Damian Knyba.

This isn’t guaranteed, but the move to simply elevate Kabayel would be consistent with other recent events of this type, and the WBC clearly see Kabayel as worthy, or the order to face Usyk in the first place could or would have been avoided.

WBA

With the WBA, there is a ready-made “solution,” but we’ll see if it’s what they want. Usyk is vacating their ridiculous “super world” title, and Murat Gassiev already holds the secondary “world” title, which he won from faded veteran Kubrat Pulev last December. Gassiev is set to defend on July 11 against Tony Yoka.

The WBA could just recognize only Gassiev, but he’s not that big of a draw, and these things do matter. End of the day, the sanctioning bodies want good chunks of money from their fees and to be associated with big fights. It’s nothing to do with Gassiev personally, he’s just fought the fights he’s been able to get.

Now, to cover the bases, yes, the WBA did recently elevate David Jimenez from an interim status at super flyweight when Bam Rodriguez moved up, but:

Super flyweight and heavyweight are a different kettle of fish in terms of the money generated, and
Again, dumb as it may sound, “world” and “interim” are classed differently. Different things. The WBA can, in this case, choose to not sanction a “super world” title fight and just go with Gassiev for the time being, but that seems unlikely.
And it seems even less likely that Gassiev would get Rolly Privileges; he’s not going to get the treatment where Rolly Romero was recently elevated to “super world” status for no real reason other than Rolly’s perceived marketability. With Romero, there were not bigger names lurking. There was Jack Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov. Gassiev doesn’t have that situation.

At the moment, Moses Itauma is the WBA’s No. 1 ranked contender. He faces No. 6-rated WBA contender Filip Hrgovic on August 29. As goofy and convoluted as it may seem, that could be sanctioned for the “vacant” WBA “super world” title. They have done dumber things is all I’m saying.

Filling out the Nos. 2 through 5 slots are Jarrell Miller, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua, and Nelson Hysa. Gurgen Hovhannisyan, Danier Pero, Artem Suslenkov, and Efe Ajagba are in the Nos. 7 though 10 slots.

Another option for the WBA could lie with two of those names: Fury and Joshua. If they are to meet late this year as anticipated, the WBA could wait for that and declare that fight to be for a “super world” title, citing their global reputations and accomplishments and stature, etc. Again, they’ve done dumber things.

IBF

The IBF, meanwhile, are often lauded because they follow their set rules, however dumb their rules may be or however bad their rankings. Neither of those things make them unique among the other three major bodies, but yes, they do tend to follow rules.

With the IBF, Frank Sanchez is currently the No. 1-ranked contender, having thumped Richard Torrez Jr in an eliminator in May. The No. 2 slot is vacant. Itauma and Hrgovic are ranked Nos. 3 and 4. That fight could be an eliminator to set up the winner against Sanchez.

Past those two, you’re looking down the line at Joshua at No. 5, Bakhodir Jalolov at No. 6 for whatever reason, Fury at No. 7, and Fabio Wardley, Deontay Wilder, and Richard Riakporhe rounding out the top 10. The aforementioned Torrez, Guido Vianello, Justis Huni, Ajagba, and Brandon Moore are the rest of the top 15.

Zuffa belt? If I was Danna that’s what I’d try do… make the zuffa belt the lineal heavyweight title if the world….

gregregegg wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 05:41 Zuffa belt? If I was Danna that’s what I’d try do… make the zuffa belt the lineal heavyweight title if the world….

would only work if someone beat him though,.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 05:57

gregregegg wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 05:41 Zuffa belt? If I was Danna that’s what I’d try do… make the zuffa belt the lineal heavyweight title if the world….

would only work if someone beat him though,.

I suppose, if he beat Rico and retired, Zuffa could then match two heavies and call it for the vacant.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 05:15 WBA

With the WBA, there is a ready-made “solution,” but we’ll see if it’s what they want. Usyk is vacating their ridiculous “super world” title, and Murat Gassiev already holds the secondary “world” title, which he won from faded veteran Kubrat Pulev last December. Gassiev is set to defend on July 11 against Tony Yoka.

Can't believe we were robbed of the rematch between Usyk and Gassiev, this time for the undisputed heavyweight championship instead of undisputed cruiserweight.

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

My favourite bit was where he became undisputed champion, unifying all four titles, by beating two guys, then refused to face any mandatories after getting to the top (a particularly nice touch after using the WBO mandatory loop hole to jump the queue)

Completed boxing, something something

Is there a precedent for this?

I am aware of fighters dropping trinkets, Bowe dumping the WBC belt to avoid Lewis, but keeping the WBA and IBF straps, for example.

I could cite Bowe again when he dropped his newly won WBO trinket in order to have a rubber match with Holyfield, a move I still applaud him for, but has a unified/undisputed champion ever dumped all of his belts, but not retired before?

Will he still refer to himself as the Linear Champion and in true Tyson Fury style, have 'defences' of that belt, or is he resigning his status as heavyweight champion of the world too?

Finkel wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 09:00 My favourite bit was where he became undisputed champion, unifying all four titles, by beating two guys, then refused to face any mandatories after getting to the top (a particularly nice touch after using the WBO mandatory loop hole to jump the queue)

Completed boxing, something something

He beat the three best fighters in the division, twice each.

The first AJ fight was for the unified titles, and the second fight happened because of the rematch clause.
After that, he fought his mandatory challenger, Dubois.

Fury 1 was for the undisputed titles, and the second fight was due to the rematch clause.
Then he fought Dubois again to unify the titles once more.

Only the Rico fight is questionable, but after becoming undisputed three times, it is definitely fair to take that kind of fight...

It's funny how boxing fans only start caring about beloved mandatories when they don't like someone.

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 10:30

Finkel wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 09:00 My favourite bit was where he became undisputed champion, unifying all four titles, by beating two guys, then refused to face any mandatories after getting to the top (a particularly nice touch after using the WBO mandatory loop hole to jump the queue)

Completed boxing, something something

He beat the three best fighters in the division, twice each.

The first AJ fight was for the unified titles, and the second fight happened because of the rematch clause.
After that, he fought his mandatory challenger, Dubois.

Fury 1 was for the undisputed titles, and the second fight was due to the rematch clause.
Then he fought Dubois again to unify the titles once more.

Only the Rico fight is questionable, but after becoming undisputed three times, it is definitely fair to take that kind of fight...

It's funny how boxing fans only start caring about beloved mandatories when they don't like someone.

Dubois was never established as the best contender in the division, and certainly not when Usyk fought him. Strange claim to make

The first time, Dubois was one of the most unworthy challengers there had been in years after the Lerena fiasco. The second time, lets not forget Dubois was actually injured when Usyk selected him for the rematch instead of his WBO mandatory Parker... Parker being the guy who Dubois was scheduled to face, but pulled out injured against.
So while you could argue Dubois was one of the out of Dubois/Parker/Kabayel, Usyk hand picked the injured one and then ducked the other two.

In total Usyk has messed around or flat out refused to fight Joyce/Hrgovic/Parker/Wardley/Kabayel
(He also messed Takam around)

One or two is forgiveable (you cant fight everyone). But three or four is hard to defend. Five is just ridiculous.

And I liked Usyk just fine, until he stopped acting like a champion. Some time between Dubois I and Fury I.

Still, he was an all time great boxer, just a terrible champion

Finkel wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 11:54

Sendo Takeshi wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 10:30

Finkel wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 09:00 My favourite bit was where he became undisputed champion, unifying all four titles, by beating two guys, then refused to face any mandatories after getting to the top (a particularly nice touch after using the WBO mandatory loop hole to jump the queue)

Completed boxing, something something

He beat the three best fighters in the division, twice each.

The first AJ fight was for the unified titles, and the second fight happened because of the rematch clause.
After that, he fought his mandatory challenger, Dubois.

Fury 1 was for the undisputed titles, and the second fight was due to the rematch clause.
Then he fought Dubois again to unify the titles once more.

Only the Rico fight is questionable, but after becoming undisputed three times, it is definitely fair to take that kind of fight...

It's funny how boxing fans only start caring about beloved mandatories when they don't like someone.

Dubois was never established as the best contender in the division, and certainly not when Usyk fought him. Strange claim to make

The first time, Dubois was one of the most unworthy challengers there had been in years after the Lerena fiasco. The second time, lets not forget Dubois was actually injured when Usyk selected him for the rematch instead of his WBO mandatory Parker... Parker being the guy who Dubois was scheduled to face, but pulled out injured against.
So while you could argue Dubois was one of the out of Dubois/Parker/Kabayel, Usyk hand picked the injured one and then ducked the other two.

In total Usyk has messed around or flat out refused to fight Joyce/Hrgovic/Parker/Wardley/Kabayel
(He also messed Takam around)

One or two is forgiveable (you cant fight everyone). But three or four is hard to defend. Five is just ridiculous.

And I liked Usyk just fine, until he stopped acting like a champion. Some time between Dubois I and Fury I.

Still, he was an all time great boxer, just a terrible champion

Calling it a "strange claim" just shows you don't know what you are talking about.
Dubois was literally the official IBF mandatory for the first fight. That’s not an opinion, that’s a fact.
Just to remind you...that's your issue with Usyk..

Finkel wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 09:00 refused to face any mandatories after getting to the top

Usyk literally did exactly what you complained he didn't do: he fought his mandatory.
As for the rematch: Dubois held the other major belt. It was a unification fight to become undisputed again. Why on earth would Usyk fight Parker or Kabayel when he had the chance to win another world title against the actual champion?

And crying about Dubois being injured is a joke. If a fighter steps into the ring, he’s fit to fight. No one forced Dubois to sign the contract. If he was too hurt, he should have pulled out.

You're reaching so hard to find excuses to downplay Usyks achievements.
Haters gonna hate. If it fulfills your life, be my guest. But I'm done arguing with a brick wall.

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

All this just completely misses the point that the organisations that award the titles have absolutely no standing to do so except their own self-appointed status.
I have never, ever, understood why anyone cares what these companies formed the purpose of making money have to say about anything.
What do you think makes the WBC title worth more than a made-up title you might decide to award tomorrow?

gp. wrote: ↑27 Jun 2026, 14:07

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

All this just completely misses the point that the organisations that award the titles have absolutely no standing to do so except their own self-appointed status.
I have never, ever, understood why anyone cares what these companies formed the purpose of making money have to say about anything.
What do you think makes the WBC title worth more than a made-up title you might decide to award tomorrow?

I look at it like this. The titles as you've said are nonsensical, and obviously do business in loads of questionable ways which could be pointed out endlessly.

In the modern era I think we'd all be well served to look at them simply as a means to an end.

Champions generally gain the most reverence and respect from fans when they achieve "Undisputed" status, but once they've achieved that status, then the belts have then served their purpose. There's no need to continue to be under the thumb of these organizations because once you've reached that status as a fighter, the belts need YOU to be their Champion more than YOU need to have THEIR belt.

The Belts are merely a means to an end. A Champion who has achieved Undisputed Status has reached the logical end, and no longer needs the belts.

As far as I'm concerned the only way you can strip a man of what he's achieved once he becomes Undisputed is by beating him of the ring.

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 16:49

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 15:19

gilgamesh wrote: ↑26 Jun 2026, 13:54 He's probably annoyed at the title orgs constantly threatening to strip him if he doesn't do this, or doesn't do that or doesn't pay 'em this or pay 'em that.

He's reached the position and the status that he doesn't need their measly belt or their bullsh*t.

I wish more Champions would do this upon reaching Usyk's status, and I wish fans would take this opportunity to simply throw some of the belts in the trash never to be considered important again.

So you wish champions to not defend their titles? Did Anthony Joshua ever vacate a title belt? No.

Note: Oleksandr Uysk did not clear out the heavyweight divisions, it was already cleared out in combination by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder by the time he opportunistically entered the division.

I don't agree with your opinion 'that Oleksandr Uysk had reached a level beyond titles. Uysk is a great fighter, and the most accomplished active fighter in the sport currently, but I think you need to calm down overestimating his position in the game'.

It is as simple as this: If you are a professional boxer, and you hold a World title 'then you have to defend those titles. Against all comers and your mandatory challengers, because those are the rules of the game'.

If a professional fighters does not want to adhere to those rules, and mandates then 'they can vacate their titles'.

So gilgamesh what should be important to professional boxers, and what is important to you? Are you the type of boxing fan who gushes and pines over the purse of the fight?

Or are you going to reply by saying something cliche like? The best fighting the best 'the best fighters in the world all have ambitions to fight for titles'.

Titles are important in amateur and professional boxing 'that is a 1000% fact'.

This little click in boxing circles, with people pretending that titles don't matter is complete nonsense etc.

He did defend his titles. He's defended them multiple times. He doesn't need some organization to continue to dictate to him which moves he makes. It's his career. Not theirs.

Oleksandr Uysk has vacated more titles then Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder combined 'during their title reigns. Uysk has not in my opinion been an all-time great Heavyweight Champion, but he is an all-time great fighter;.

Note: No matter how hard you try to justify his behaviour as Champion 'it is not correct for a Champion to continually vacate titles, and avoid taking on all-comers'.

If you believe Oleksandr Uysk does not need organisations to dictate his career 'that is fine. But from now on understand this? No one in boxing should even mention him alongside the former past all-time great Heavyweight Champions'.

As I stated before Oleksandr Uysk never cleared out the Heavyweight Divisions 'it was already cleared out by Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder in combination by the time he opportunistic entered the divisions'.

And by beating both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua twice back to back 'which are the two greatest wins of the past 15 years in boxing. He has inherited their feats of achievements as champions'.

But real boxing fans, and analyst who pay attention to detail 'understand that Oleksandr Uysk won his world titles, and then looked to bounce. Those are the facts'.

There is nothing wrong with that, but in my opinion? He has not been a great Heavyweight Champion etc.