World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman admitted on Friday that he initially suspected a video showing Oleksandr Usyk vacating his heavyweight title was AI-generated. The WBC chief learned of the decision via social media on June 26, 2026, rather than through direct communication from the champion’s camp.
The unexpected announcement ends Usyk’s reign with the organization and leaves several major titles vacant as the Ukrainian prepares for a final professional outing.
Mauricio Sulaiman reacts to Oleksandr Usyk vacating his WBC title
Oleksandr Usyk posted the video message on Instagram, confirming he is relinquishing the WBC, WBA, and IBF heavyweight belts. This mass vacation of titles comes after he had already relinquished the WBO strap in autumn 2025.
In his message, Usyk stated he wanted to “make them free so that the guys who are standing in line can box for them,” effectively unfreezing the division for other contenders. However, the lack of advance notice to the sanctioning bodies clearly frustrated Mauricio Sulaiman, who vented his disbelief on X.
The method of the announcement appeared to catch the WBC front office completely off guard. Mauricio Sulaiman revealed on social media that discovering such major news through a third-party feed made him question the authenticity of the footage.
“This is the current life we live in, I would even think it is AI,” Mauricio Sulaiman wrote. He expressed disappointment at learning about the vacancy through a viral clip rather than an official document or phone call.
Despite the administrative friction, Mauricio Sulaiman ended his reaction by wishing the former champion success in his life “inside and outside the ring.” This sudden shift in the heavyweight landscape follows a period where the WBC had strictly insisted on a mandatory defense.
Earlier this year, the organization sanctioned a match between Oleksandr Usyk and the undefeated German contender Agit Kabayel, warning the champion that he risked being stripped if the fight did not materialize.
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By relinquishing the belts now, Usyk gains total freedom from these mandatory obligations. While some viewed the Usyk-Rico Egypt bout in May as a sign of his continued dominance, others noted the narrow margins of that victory.
Though he secured an 11th-round technical knockout, the judges were split at the time of the stoppage, with two scores even at 95:95 and one judge favoring Rico Verhoeven at 95:94.
The controversial victory against Rico Verhoeven in Giza
Oleksandr Usyk’s most recent ring appearance took place on May 24, 2024, at the Pyramids in Giza. Facing Dutch kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, the Ukrainian found himself in a surprisingly competitive struggle. The Usyk-Verhoeven Giza bout ended prematurely when the referee stopped the fight in the 11th round.
Many fans and boxing experts at ringside believed Usyk was trailing or, at best, locked in a stalemate before the technical knockout was called.
That difficult night in Egypt may have accelerated Usyk’s plans to transition away from the grind of multiple title defenses. He has consistently fought the best in the world, once holding all four major belts simultaneously to become the undisputed heavyweight champion in the four-belt era.
However, his manager, Serhii Lapin, has previously indicated that maintaining these titles involves navigating complex injuries and political hurdles that often sideline active fighters.
Heavyweight division shifts focus to Agit Kabayel and vacant belts
With the WBA, WBC, and IBF titles now vacant, the “line” of contenders Oleksandr Usyk referenced is expected to move quickly. The WBC will likely proceed with crowning a new champion by looking toward top-ranked Agit Kabayel.
The German heavyweight has been waiting for his mandated opportunity, and the vacancy provides a clear path for him to contest for the green belt without the obstacle of facing the highly technical Ukrainian southpaw.
The move also impacts the wider commercial market, potentially simplifying paths for other high-profile matchups. Fans are still tracking the progress of the Fury-Joshua contracts, which have faced numerous delays.
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With Usyk no longer holding the titles hostage to mandatory rotations, the heavyweight landscape may see a flurry of tournament-style activity as the various sanctioning bodies look to fill their vacant thrones by the end of 2026.
Usyk, meanwhile, clarified that he is not retiring yet. He mentioned having one “last dance” planned, though he did not name a specific opponent. By vacating his belts, he can negotiate this final fight as a free agent, choosing an opponent based on commercial appeal rather than the rankings of the WBA or WBC.
It marks a bold final chapter for a man who has achieved historically unprecedented success across both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions.
Protocol and technology in the social media era
Mauricio Sulaiman’s initial suspicion that the video was AI-generated highlights a growing concern for sports executives. In an era of sophisticated deepfakes, the standard for verifying athlete retirements or title vacations is becoming increasingly difficult. The WBC has traditionally relied on formal letters from managers and promoters to maintain the perceived “sanctity” of their championships.
To have that structure bypassed by an Instagram video is a significant cultural shift.
The disappointment expressed by the WBC president serves as a reminder of the tension between old-guard governing bodies and modern superstars who control their own media narratives. Usyk’s decision to speak directly to the fans — bypassing the usual administrative channels — ensures he retains control over his exit story.
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While it left Mauricio Sulaiman “blindsided” and scrolling X for confirmation, it also arguably “unfroze” the division faster than a standard legal process would have allowed.
As 2026 progresses, the boxing world will watch to see who rises to claim the hardware Usyk left behind. The Ukrainian’s legacy is secure as a former two-time undisputed champion and Olympic gold medalist.
Whether his “last dance” involves a final heavyweight superfight or another crossover spectacle, he has ensured that his departure from the championship circuit was as unconventional as his fighting style. The belts are free, the mandatory lines are moving, and the heavyweight division enters its most unpredictable phase in years.
