Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Usyk Requests IBF Exception to Maintain Fury Rematch

In a historic move, undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has requested the IBF to grant him an exception and allow him to keep his rematch with Tyson Fury as another battle for undisputed supremacy. IBF president Daryl Peoples confirmed to BoxingScene on Friday that Usyk had made the request, less than a week after his stirring split-decision triumph over Fury in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

IBF Mandatory Challenger Hrgovic Waiting for Title Shot

The IBF’s mandatory challenger, Filip Hrgovic, has been waiting for his title shot since 2022, and it was believed his June 1 bout with Daniel Dubois would become an IBF title fight. However, with Usyk’s historic feat of becoming the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999, and with the fight being backed by Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, there may be financial and emotional means to keep Hrgovic satisfied while maintaining all four belts in play.

Usyk’s Manager Requests IBF Exception for Fury Rematch

Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, stated that they had filed the request to the IBF to allow Usyk to retain his undisputed crown. Klimas emphasized that the rematch with Fury is more important for the latter, as a Fury victory would mean he would not be undisputed.

“The rematch, the clause, was so both guys had the chance to be undisputed. I hope the IBF are going to make the right decision,” Klimas said.

Hrgovic and Dubois are scheduled to fight imminently, but Klimas expressed hope that the IBF would support the undisputed title fight between Usyk and Fury, given the significance of the vacancy being filled after a quarter-century since Lewis’ victory over Evander Holyfield.

Usyk’s Condition and the Strength of Ukrainian Boxing

Regarding Usyk’s condition after the grueling fight in Riyadh, Klimas reported that the champion is “doing okay” and is “enjoying his victory” while spending time with his family. The success of Usyk and other Ukrainian fighters, such as Serhii Bohachuk, Vasiliy Lomachenko, and Denys Berinchyk, is a testament to the strength of Ukrainian boxing schools.

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