By In the wake of Oleksandr Usyk’s historic victory over Tyson Fury, the boxing world is abuzz with the prospect of an immediate rematch. However, this anticipated bout carries the potential consequence of Usyk being stripped of the IBF heavyweight title. The Ukrainian’s triumph in Saudi Arabia, which saw him claim the WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF belts, may be short-lived as governing bodies consider redistributing the titles.
Britain’s Daniel Dubois is in line to contest for the soon-to-be-vacated IBF belt against the mandatory challenger, Croatia’s Filip Hrgovic. The fight, scheduled for June 1, could see a new champion crowned in the heavyweight division.
Promoter Frank Warren, representing both Fury and Dubois, expressed his views to Sky Sports, acknowledging Usyk’s unprecedented unification of the heavyweight titles. Warren anticipates that the belts will eventually separate and be contested again, highlighting the sport’s current dynamism and the plethora of exciting matchups on the horizon.
The rematch between Usyk and Fury, along with the potential rise of new talents, promises to keep the boxing community engaged. Warren also teased the possibility of an all-British showdown, expressing his desire to see Anthony Joshua, who witnessed Usyk’s victory ringside, face the winner of the Dubois-Hrgovic fight.
Meanwhile, Agit Kabayel has positioned himself for a shot at Usyk’s WBC title following his victory over Frank Sanchez. The German’s seventh-round stoppage has set the stage for another significant fight in the heavyweight category.
As the heavyweight division’s landscape shifts, fans eagerly await the outcomes of these pivotal bouts and the emergence of new champions.
