Oleksandr Usyk will no longer be the undisputed world heavyweight champion. The 37-year-old Ukrainian boxer announced in a video that he will vacate his IBF title in September, foregoing a mandatory defense against Daniel Dubois. This move sets the stage for a potential showdown between Dubois and fellow Brit Anthony Joshua.
Usyk, with a smile, addressed Joshua and Dubois directly in his video. “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know (the) IBF title is important to you,” he said, adding, “(It is) my present to you.”
Usyk’s decision comes after his historic victory over Tyson Fury last month in Saudi Arabia. He unified all four major heavyweight titles, becoming the first undisputed champion in 24 years. This win added Fury’s WBC title to his already held WBA, IBF, and WBO belts.
A rematch between Usyk and Fury is scheduled for December 21, also in Saudi Arabia. However, the winner of this fight will not be undisputed champion, as Usyk’s IBF title will be vacant.
After the Fury rematch, Usyk is contemplating a return to the cruiserweight division. The 2012 Olympic champion previously held all four cruiserweight titles in 2018, and he may seek to repeat that feat in the lower weight class.
