OLEKSANDR USYK BECOMES UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AFTER VICTORY OVER TYSON FURY
In a historic bout in Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk has claimed the title of undisputed heavyweight world champion by defeating Tyson Fury. This victory marks the first time in 25 years that the division has had a sole world champion since Lennox Lewis unified the belts. The fight between Usyk and Fury was one for the ages, with Usyk making a comeback in the ninth round to knock down Fury and secure a split decision victory. With this win, Usyk now holds the WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF titles.
USYK LIKELY TO VACATE IBF TITLE
Despite his recent triumph, Usyk may soon have to relinquish his IBF title due to the politics of boxing and the actions of its sanctioning bodies. Each sanctioning body has a mandatory challenger for its belt, and the rotation system determines which belt is defended first. Usyk’s most recent mandatory title defence was against Daniel Dubois, the WBA’s number one contender, in August. However, the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic, has been waiting for his shot at a world title. It is expected that Usyk will be forced to vacate the IBF belt within the next two weeks.
SHORT-LIVED REIGN FOR USYK AS UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
If Usyk does vacate the IBF title, his reign as the undisputed king of the heavyweight division will be short-lived. The upcoming rematch between Usyk and Fury later this year will only have three belts on the line: the WBC, WBA, and WBO straps. This situation mirrors what Fury experienced after his first world title triumph in 2015. Fury defeated Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, WBO, and WBA titles but was stripped of the IBF belt just 10 days later due to his decision to pursue a rematch with Klitschko instead of facing the IBF’s mandatory challenger, Vyacheslav Glazkov.
FURY’S MENTAL HEALTH STRUGGLES LEAD TO VACATING TITLES
Following his victory over Klitschko, Fury’s mental health deteriorated, leading him to vacate his other titles. The anticipated Fury vs Klitschko rematch never materialized, and the IBF ultimately stripped Fury of the title. It remains to be seen how Usyk’s potential vacating of the IBF belt will impact his future in the heavyweight division, but it is clear that the politics of boxing can often complicate the path to undisputed glory.
