Oleksandr Usyk’s recent victory over Tyson Fury, which saw him unify the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF heavyweight titles, has put him in a unique position within the boxing world. However, despite this achievement, Usyk may soon face the prospect of being stripped of one of his belts.
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) typically enforces mandatory title defenses, requiring champions to face their top-ranked challengers within a specified timeframe. In Usyk’s case, Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for the IBF belt, and he has been waiting for his opportunity to compete for the title.
The situation is complicated by the fact that Hrgovic’s upcoming fight against Daniel Dubois has the potential to be for the vacant IBF belt. If the IBF decides to strip Usyk of their title, it would pave the way for Hrgovic and Dubois to contest for the vacant championship.
Promoter Frank Warren, who represents both Fury and Dubois, acknowledged the likelihood of the IBF title becoming vacant and speculated on the future of the heavyweight division. He emphasized that Usyk’s unification of the four major belts was a significant achievement but suggested that the titles may eventually become fragmented again due to mandatory challenges and other factors.
The scenario highlights the complexities of managing multiple title belts within the sport of boxing, where governing bodies enforce different rules and regulations regarding mandatory defenses and rankings. Usyk’s potential loss of the IBF title underscores the transient nature of championship status in boxing and the ongoing challenges faced by fighters in maintaining their position at the top of the sport.