Oleksandr Usyk will no longer be the undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion after revealing he is vacating his IBF title.
The Ukrainian, 37, became the first undisputed champ in the four-belt era when he beat Tyson Fury to claim the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF belts in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month.
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Usyk is set to rematch Fury later this year, as per the terms of the two-fight contract signed by both fighters, meaning he won’t be able to defend his IBF crown against mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois.
Dubois is now expected to meet fellow Brit heavyweight Anthony Joshua for the title in September.
Confirming his apparent intention to move aside, Usyk said in a video posted on X: “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on September 21.”
The move means the winner of the rematch with Fury — expected to take place in Saudi Arabia in December — will not be undisputed champion.
Usyk became the first undisputed champion of the heavyweight division since Lennox Lewis in 2000 (who held three belts) to join the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield in the most exclusive club in the sport.
He moved to a perfect 22-0 for his career with the win over Fury, coming out ahead via a split decision 115-112, 113-114 and 114-113 on the judges’ scorecards.
GO DEEPER
How Usyk defied convention to cement himself as all-time great
(Fayez Nureldine/AFP via Getty Images)
