Hearn Says IBF Already Made Concessions to Usyk

The head of Matchroom Boxing, Eddie Hearn, reacted to Oleksandr Usyk's team's request to the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to reconsider the rule by which he may be stripped of his title.

"As far as I understand, there has already been an exception to the rules (IBF allowed Usyk to keep the belt for the rematch with Fury – ed.). I understand both sides of the argument. You really don't want the titles to be split, but you have Filip Hrgovic, who was appointed mandatory challenger a long time ago, and he's been waiting, waiting, and waiting.

I understand that the Usyk-Fury fight took place on the condition that the winner must fight Hrgovic without exception," said Hearn.

It was previously reported that the IBF does not favor mandatory rematch clauses in fight contracts. Usyk and Fury had such a clause, and Tyson activated his right for an immediate rematch.

It is expected that Filip Hrgovic's fight against Daniel Dubois, which will take place on June 1 in Saudi Arabia, may be for the interim IBF championship or even for the full title.