Usyk no longer undisputed champion after giving up IBF belt

Just 5 weeks aft becoming nan first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion successful astir 25 years, Oleksandr Usyk has fixed up 1 of his belts.

Usyk beat Tyson Fury connected a divided determination connected 18 May to adhd nan WBC title to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection.

However nan Ukrainian says he has vacated his IBF belt, which could now beryllium up for grabs for nan victor of nan anticipated bout betwixt Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.

Dubois is nan IBF's mandatory challenger and is expected to conflict chap Briton Joshua astatine Wembley Stadium on 21 September.

"Anthony and Daniel, I cognize nan IBF title is important to you. It is my coming to you connected 21 September," Usyk said successful a video connection posted connected X, external.

Ukrainian Usyk had requested his IBF loop not beryllium stripped truthful nan undisputed title tin stay connected nan statement erstwhile he fights Fury successful their rematch connected 21 December.

But nan IBF, according to its rules, had to portion Usyk if he did not conflict their mandatory challenger next.

Britain's Lennox Lewis was nan past undisputed heavyweight champion anterior to Usyk successful 1999, though that was successful nan three-belt era earlier nan WBO title was officially recognised successful 2007.