Oleksandr Usyk may not be stripped of one of his world heavyweight titles after all, it has been emerged.
Usyk followed up his undisputed success at cruiserweight by doing the same at heavyweight on Saturday night when he beat WBC champion Tyson Fury via split decision.
The Ukrainian was already in possession of the WBA (super), IBF and WBO world heavyweight titles but added the WBC strap to his collection after a sensational showing in Riyadh.
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Usyk became the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 2000 but it is widely stated beforehand that he would not hold all the gold for long.
That's because it was communicated that the IBF strap was expected to be on the line in the June 1 clash between Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois.
The former has been mandatory challenger for what feels like an age and Usyk was slated to be stripped to finally give him his opportunity.
However, Alexander Krassyuk, Usyk's promoter, has confirmed an IBF exception will be requested.
“Of course, we will ask the IBF for an exception,” Krassyuk told World Boxing News.
If it is indeed granted and Hrgovic is forced to continue to wait for his shot, the October rematch between Fury and Usyk would likely be another undisputed showdown.
Uysk's case could be helped by the fact that his fight with Fury was delayed for a long time and the initial date didn't happen because of a cut suffered by the Gypsy King in sparring resulted in a postponement.
Clarifying the situation, IBF President Darryl Peoples told Boxing Scene: "As far as the IBF rules go, any reigning champion is going to be able to ask for an exception. Any reigning champion can ask for an exception to any IBF rule. They have the right to."
Usyk will have plenty of obligations with governing bodies but if the IBF rule in his favour, it will be bad news for Anthony Joshua as he was hoping to challenge the Hrgovic-Dubois victor.
Topics: Oleksandr Usyk, Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua
Josh Lawless