Oleksandr Usyk is no longer the undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world after announcing he will be relinquishing his IBF title.
The 37-year-old Ukrainian defeated Tyson Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month to win the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF belts, becoming the first absolute champion in the four-belt era.
Usyk is due to rematch Fury later this year, per the terms of the two-fight contract signed by both fighters, and will not be able to defend his IBF title against mandatory challenger Daniel Dubois.
Dubois is scheduled to face fellow British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua for the title in September.
Announcing his intention to step down, Usyk said in a video posted to X: “Anthony and Daniel, listen up. I know the IBF title is important to you two. It's a gift to you on September 21st.”
The move means the winner of the rematch with Fury, scheduled for December in Saudi Arabia, will not be the undisputed champion.
Usyk became the heavyweight division's first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis in 2000 (who held three belts), joining the sport's most exclusive club with the likes of Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.
He improved to 22-0 with the win over Fury, winning by split decision with the judges scoring the bout 115-112, 113-114, and 114-113.
Going deeper
How Usyk defied convention and established himself as the greatest of all time
(Faiez Noureldin/AFP via Getty Images)
