Just five weeks after becoming the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in nearly 25 years, Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished one of his belts. Usyk secured a split decision victory over Tyson Fury on May 18, adding the WBC title to his collection of WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.
However, the Ukrainian champion has now vacated his IBF belt, which is likely to be contested in the upcoming fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. Dubois, the IBF’s mandatory challenger, is expected to face fellow Briton Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21.
In a video message posted on X, Usyk addressed Joshua and Dubois: “Anthony and Daniel, I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on 21 September.”
Usyk’s IBF Title Stripped Ahead of Fury Rematch
Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk requested that his IBF belt not be stripped so the undisputed title could remain on the line for his rematch against Tyson Fury on December 21. However, IBF regulations required Usyk to be stripped of the title if he did not face their mandatory challenger next. The last undisputed heavyweight champion before Usyk was Britain’s Lennox Lewis in 1999, during the three-belt era before the WBO title was officially recognized in 2007.
