Oleksandr Usyk, the unchallenged heavyweight champion of the world, has said that he will give up his IBF championship, making room for Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois to square off for it in September.
After defeating Tyson Fury in a split decision in Saudi Arabia last month, the 37-year-old Ukrainian became the first heavyweight to hold the titles of IBF, WBO, WBA, and WBC.
Usyk cannot defend the IBF title against Daniel Dubois, the mandatory challenger and interim champion, as he is now committed to a rematch with Britain’s Fury.
As a result, Dubois’ anticipated battle against Anthony Joshua, also a British fighter, at Wembley in September may suddenly be for the vacant belt.
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In a video posted on social media, Usyk said: “Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on 21 September.” A caption added: “The world loves strong. Your friend, the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, Oleksandr Usyk.”
According to reports, the 37-year-old requested to keep the IBF championship until December to compete for the undisputed title in another about with Fury.
But per IBF regulations, Usyk would not have been awarded the title if he hadn’t defeated Dubois first.
Before Usyk in 1999, the last fighter to unify all three of the main heavyweight championships was Lennox Lewis of Britain.
