Oleksandr Usyk to be stripped of world title immediately after beating Tyson Fury

Published on 2024-05-31 07:20:34From：MMA Arena+Entering

Oleksandr Usyk is the new undisputed heavyweight champion of the world - but he looks set to lose one of his belts before he steps foot inside the ring again.

The Ukrainian, 37, beat Tyson Fury in a blockbuster clash for all the gold in the heavyweight division in Saudi Arabia, winning via split decision after judges scored an enthralling bout 115-112, 113-114, 114-113.

And while Usyk can revel in the moment, he will soon be stripped of the IBF title as long-time mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic will not wait for a contracted rematch with Fury to take place.

All being well, Usyk and Fury are pencilled in to meet again in October with the latter out for revenge. But the IBF title will be vacated before then and then put up for grabs when Hrgovic meets Daniel Dubois in June.

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The winner of that bout will go on to face Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September - just weeks before Usyk and Fury are due to lock horns again. It remains to be seen if the winner of said rematch, who will take home three belts instead of four, will then attempt to reclaim the IBF crown in their next move.

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Usyk is the man who holds all the gold for now. But if the comments in his post-fight press conference are anything to go by, it seems highly unlikely he'll be losing any sleep once the IBF title is taken away from him in the coming weeks.

Usyk has been in camp for longer than planned after the initial bout with Fury, scheduled for February 17, was cancelled after the Brit suffered a nasty cut above his eye in sparring.

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Usyk will be stripped of the IBF world title in the coming weeks (

Image:

Anadolu via Getty Images)

And for now, his only focus is spending time with his family, rather than nailing down any concrete plans for a return to the ring despite his contractual obligations.

"I don't think about boxing now, please," Uysk said when he was asked about a rematch by reporters. "My camp started in September 2023, I worked for nine months.

"I missed Happy New Year, I missed my son's birthday, I missed my other son's birthday, I missed my daughter's birthday and then the birth of my daughter.

"I also missed family holidays. I was only focused on this fight, now I'm happy and I want to go back home."

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