There was no choice: the reason for Usyk's refusal to give up the title of absolute world champion has become known
Ukrainian champion Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) found himself in a hopeless situation and was forced to relinquish his International Boxing Federation (IBF) title. This organization agreed to authorize the fight between our compatriot and Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs) for all the super-heavyweight belts, provided that the winner immediately makes a mandatory defense.
This was reported by well-known boxing insider Dan Raphael on Substack. Filip Hrgovic (17-1, 14 KOs) from Croatia was a contender for the IBF belt. He agreed to allow Usyk and Fury to determine the absolute world champion, and then fight the winner or take the belt that became vacant.
Usyk with the belt of the absolute world champion.
Source: Oleksandr Usyk's Instagram
That's why immediately after the Ukrainian's victory over the Briton, it was assumed that Usyk would be stripped of his IBF belt within a week. However, Hrgovic unexpectedly lost to Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs), who became the interim champion, which delayed the decision on Oleksandr's status.
Now Dubois has been recognized as the owner of the full IBF belt and will defend it on September 21 against his compatriot Anthony Joshua (26-3, 23 KOs), and Usyk will fight Fury in a rematch three months later. If he wins, the Ukrainian will be able to regain the title of absolute champion by fighting Joshua or Dubois.
Usyk with the IBF belt
Dubois with the IBF interim championship belt
Fury recently challenged the result of his May 18 fight against Usyk. Prior to that, Tyson first named the reason for his defeat to Oleksandr. In addition, the Briton got into a drunken scandal, which alarmed his camp.
Ukrainian Oleksandr also announced his radical plan to continue his career after the rematch with Tyson. Vusyk named the most difficult moment of the fight with the Briton. Our boxer also spoke frankly about his opponent.
Anthony Joshua after the fight with Francis Ngannou
Usyk and Fury after the fight.
Source: Queensberry Promotions
As OBOZ.UA previously reported, British media said that a real war was unfolding in world boxing over the title of Oleksandr Usyk.
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Oleksandr Usik
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