Athens News - Undisputed heavyweight world champion Usyk vacates IBF belt

NYSE - LSE
RYCEF -0.63% 17.5 $
RBGPF 0% 75.42 $
BCC 1.2% 76.03 $
BCE 1.22% 20.065 $
CMSC -0.15% 19.69 $
NGG 2.65% 81.205 $
RIO -1.58% 88.11 $
JRI 0.94% 10.6 $
BTI 1.19% 59.215 $
AZN 2.98% 168.99 $
RELX 0.03% 39.26 $
BP -0.33% 49.275 $
GSK 1.5% 50.215 $
VOD 0.35% 15.925 $
CMSD -0.5% 19.671 $
Undisputed heavyweight world champion Usyk vacates IBF belt
Undisputed heavyweight world champion Usyk vacates IBF belt / Photo: Fayez NURELDINE - AFP/File

Undisputed heavyweight world champion Usyk vacates IBF belt

Oleksandr Usyk has confirmed he will vacate his IBF title just weeks after he became undisputed world heavyweight champion.

Text size:

The Ukrainian, 37, became the first heavyweight to hold the IBF, WBO, WBA and WBC belts when he beat Tyson Fury on a split decision in Saudi Arabia last month.

With Usyk now contracted to a rematch with Britain's Fury, he is not in a position to defend the IBF crown against interim champion and mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.

That means Dubois' expected all-British fight against Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September could now be for the vacant title.

Usyk said in a video posted on social media: "Anthony and Daniel, listen. I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on September 21."

Britain's Lennox Lewis was the last man to unify the major heavyweight belts -- three at the time -- prior to Usyk, in 1999.

I.Kollias--AN-GR