Why did Oleksandr Usyk vacate the IBF Heavyweight World title?

Undefeated Ukrainian relinquishes his IBF Heavyweight World title

The undisputed world heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, has made headlines once again, this time by confirming he will vacate his IBF Heavyweight World Title. This significant decision paves the way for Daniel Dubois and Anthony Joshua to potentially clash for the now-vacant title in September.

Usyk, who recently achieved an unprecedented feat by holding the IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC belts after defeating Tyson Fury, has been compelled to relinquish one of his titles due to a series of mandatory defenses and contractual obligations. As Usyk prepares for a rematch with Fury, he finds himself unable to fulfill his IBF obligations, setting the stage for a new chapter in the heavyweight division.

Oleksandr Usyk relinquishes to pave way for a new stage of heavyweight fighters

Oleksandr Usyk’s road to becoming the first heavyweight to hold the IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC titles at the same time culminated with his victory over Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last month. This epic victory cemented his title as the undisputed heavyweight champion.

However, keeping all four belts entails hard obligations, including required defenses. Usyk is no longer in a position to defend his IBF championship against Daniel Dubois, the interim champion and mandatory challenger because he is now scheduled to fight Fury again. Dubois gained his position by defeating Filip Hrgovic in Riyadh, hindering Usyk’s ability to defend all of his championships.

The relinquishment of the IBF belt by Usyk has direct repercussions for the heavyweight division. Daniel Dubois’s next fight against Anthony Joshua on September 21 at Wembley Stadium has the potential to become a world title battle.

Usyk’s decision allows these two heavyweights to meet for the prized IBF belt, raising the stakes in an already thrilling matchup. In a social media video, Usyk addressed both fighters directly, saying, “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on 21 September.” This gesture underscores Usyk’s willingness to facilitate opportunities for other contenders in the division.

‼️ Oleksandr Usyk announcing that he is vacating his IBF heavyweight world title so his former opponents Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois can fight for it on Sept 21st at Wembley…[🎥 @Usykaa]https://t.co/SR2uLiAP3z

— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) June 25, 2024

Uskyk wanted to keep the title but ultimately had to relinquish

Despite Usyk’s eventual decision to relinquish the IBF title, he planned to keep it until December. His objective was to make his next rematch with Fury a bout for the undisputed belt. However, the IBF regulations required Oleksandr Usyk to defend the championship against Dubois first, forcing his hand.

By following these guidelines, Usyk opted to give up the championship rather than risk losing it. This deliberate tactic assures that the rematch with Fury remains a high-stakes, high-profile fight while adhering to the IBF’s rules and Dubois’ status as the mandatory challenger.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.