The undisputed world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk has announced that he will be vacating his IBF title after becoming the first heavyweight to hold all the major titles simultaneously. In a social media video, Usyk addressed Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois, acknowledging the importance of the IBF title to them. He stated that it is his present to them on September 21, the date of their upcoming bout at Wembley.
Usyk’s decision to vacate his IBF title comes as he is now obligated to a rematch with Tyson Fury, who he defeated in a split decision last month in Saudi Arabia. As a result, Dubois’ upcoming bout against Joshua may now be for the vacant IBF title. This is because Dubois is the interim champion and mandatory challenger for the IBF title, and Usyk cannot defend it against him.
Prior to Usyk, the last heavyweight boxer to unify the major heavyweight belts was Britain’s Lennox Lewis in 1999. Usyk’s achievement in becoming the first heavyweight to hold all the major titles simultaneously is a remarkable feat in the history of boxing.
