Usyk became one step closer to the fight for the title of absolute world champion
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) canceled its order on the defense of the champion title of Oleksandr Usyk with mandatory challenger Filip Hrhovych.
The president of the federation, Darryl Peoples, said that the IBF recognizes the priority right of defense under the WBA, and will not conflict on this issue.
"On November 14, 2022, the WBA notified the IBF that the WBA is next in the 'rotation' system established by the IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO. The IBF agrees with this order of rotation.
Based on this information, the IBF cancels the order to Oleksandr Usyk to start negotiations with Filip Hrhgovych about the mandatory defense of the super heavyweight title," Boxing Scene quotes Daryl Peoples as saying.
At the same time, the World Boxing Association (WBA) previously appointed Briton Daniel Dubois as the mandatory contender for the fight with Oleksandr Usyk. Therefore, the Ukrainian needs to agree on the postponement of this fight in order to hold a match with Tyson Fury for the title of absolute world champion in the super heavyweight division.
It will not be a problem to agree with Dubois on postponing the fight, as the Englishman is a boxer of "Queensbury Promotions", which also promotes Tyson Fury.
We will remind, in his last fight, Usyk defeated Anthony Joshua in a rematch by split decision and defended his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO titles. The Ukrainian also won the vacant world champion belt according to The Ring magazine.
The fight between Usyk and Fury will be the first fight for the title of the absolute heavyweight champion of the world in the 21st century.
The day before, the representative of the "Gypsy King" Frank Warren announced that the priority date of the Usyk - Fury megafight is March 4 this year. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Great Britain are among the possible venues for the meeting.
Officially, the date and place of the fight should be announced in the near future.
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