Oleksandr Usyk could be forced to relinquish another world title as calls grow for the IBF heavyweight belt to be placed on the line in an upcoming clash between Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder. The Ukrainian currently holds the WBC, IBF and WBA titles after previously vacating the WBO belt.
Usyk became a three-time, two-division undisputed champion last July when he stopped Daniel Dubois in the fifth round of their rematch. Since then, he has stepped away from one title, allowing Fabio Wardley to be elevated from interim to full WBO heavyweight champion.
The 39-year-old is now scheduled to face decorated kickboxer Rico Verhoeven at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on May 23. While the WBC initially stated it would not sanction the bout due to Verhoeven’s limited professional boxing experience, the organization has since approved the contest as a title defense. The IBF and WBA have yet to confirm whether their belts will be at stake.
Promoter Kalle Sauerland believes the IBF should consider stripping Usyk and allowing Chisora and Wilder to compete for the vacant title when they meet at London’s O2 Arena on April 4. With Chisora currently the IBF’s highest-ranked contender, Sauerland said he plans to lobby the sanctioning body to sanction the bout as a championship fight.
However, the title picture may become more complicated. An IBF elimination bout between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr. is scheduled for March 28, and the winner could strengthen their position as mandatory challenger should Usyk still hold the IBF belt moving forward.
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