Oleksandr Usyk is poised to lose his status as the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world despite his recent victory over Tyson Fury.
In a highly anticipated bout held in Saudi Arabia, Usyk emerged victorious via split decision, adding Fury's WBC title to his collection of WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, and IBO titles. However, this triumph will be short-lived as he faces the imminent forfeiture of the IBF belt.
The decision to strip Usyk of the IBF title stems from his commitment to a rematch with Fury, slated for October. Filip Hrgovic, the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, is unwilling to wait for this rematch. As a result, the IBF belt will be vacated, leading to a bout between Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois in June to determine the new IBF champion. The victor of this match is expected to face Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September. This sequence of events means that by the time Usyk and Fury face off again, neither will hold the unified title, lacking the IBF crown.
Despite losing the IBF title, Usyk seems unfazed by the prospect. Following his grueling training camp and the intense bout with Fury, his focus has shifted towards recuperation and spending time with his family. The extended preparation for the fight, delayed from its original February date due to a cut Fury sustained in training, took a significant toll on Usyk. In a post-fight statement, Usyk expressed relief and joy over his victory but emphasized his need for rest and family time.
"I don't think about boxing now, please," he said, reflecting on the sacrifices made during his training period.
Watch Oleksandr Usyk's immediate reaction after the fight: Watch
Both fighters are now looking towards a possible rematch in October, although definitive plans remain uncertain. Tyson Fury, who initially claimed the judges favored Usyk due to sympathy for Ukraine's wartime struggles, later adopted a more measured tone, acknowledging the closeness of the fight.
Image Credit: Top Rank