Written by: Sean Crose
It was fun while it lasted. Sadly, the world no longer has an undisputed heavyweight champion. In a video message released on Tuesday, Oleksandr Usyk announced he is vacating the IBF heavyweight title, leaving him with the WBA, WBC, and WBO heavyweight titles, which is impressive to be sure, but not the same as holding on to all four. topics together. Usyk also made it clear that he thinks the fight between former world champion Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will decide who will be next in the IBF heavyweight division. That fight, which is believed to go down on September 21, has yet to be signed.
“Hey @anthonyjoshua, @dynamite_daniel_dubois,” Usyk posted. “The IBF belt is my gift to you on 21.09.2024 The world loves you so much. Your friend, the Undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the World, Oleksandr Usyk.” The truth is that the IBF ordered Usyk to face Dubois next. With a high-profile rematch with Tyson Fury scheduled for December, Usyk has no choice but to relinquish the IBF belt. That's good news for Joshua and Dubois, of course, although it's not good news for those looking to have a regular heavyweight champion undisputed.
Not that Joshua and Dubois don't deserve a title shot. Both men fought Usyk, after all. And while both lost, it's important to remember that Dubois nearly fell — some say literally fell — the talented Ukrainian when the two men fought last year. Joshua, on the other hand, has beaten all the opponents he has faced except Usyk. When you consider the fact that Joshua was drunk 31 times, that record is quite impressive. After all, fans will be curious to see how the Usyk-Fury rematch plays out when it goes down this December in Saudi Arabia.
The first fight between the two men went down in May. It was a matter of saws, one man ruled, then another. Usyk won a close fight because of his ability to turn things around as the wound progressed. Still, it would have been close enough to warrant a rematch even if the two hadn't signed one yet (which they had). Although Usyk-Fury 2 will not be for the heavyweight title, there will be a right to demand one fight or the other the best heavyweight in the world. It is easy to understand why Usyk left the IBF belt.
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