Oleksandr Usyk Vacates IBF Title, Ending Reign as Undisputed Heavyweight Champion
Oleksandr Usyk will no longer hold the title of undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion after announcing his decision to vacate his IBF title. The 37-year-old Ukrainian became the first undisputed champion in the four-belt era when he defeated Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, last month, securing the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts.
However, Usyk is scheduled to rematch Fury later this year, according to the terms of their two-fight contract. This obligation prevents him from defending his IBF title against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois. As a result, Dubois is now expected to face fellow British heavyweight Anthony Joshua for the IBF title in September.
In a video posted on X, Usyk addressed the situation, stating, “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on September 21.”
This development means that the winner of the rematch between Usyk and Fury, anticipated to take place in Saudi Arabia in December, will not be recognized as the undisputed champion.
Usyk’s victory over Fury marked him as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000. Lewis, who held three belts at the time, is among an elite group that includes Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield. Usyk’s career remains undefeated at 22-0, with his victory over Fury being decided by split decision, with scores of 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113.
The upcoming matches promise to reshape the heavyweight division, with both Joshua and Dubois aiming to seize the opportunity presented by Usyk’s vacated title.
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