Usyk Clutches at Last Glimmer of Hope to Retain Contested IBF Belt After Triumph Over Tyson Fury
Usyk is set to forfeit his undisputed status if he fights Fury in October, but there may be a way out.
Oleksandr Usyk should have plenty of time to celebrate his legendary victory over Tyson Fury. Instead, he has seen his undisputed status be given a short timeline before he even thinks about what his next fight will look like.
Fury’s immediate words after the fight were that he will activate his rematch clause with Usyk. That would trigger a likely October event, which would also trigger Usyk relinquishing his IBF title. The reason being that Filip Hrgovic is the mandatory challenger for that belt, and a Fury-Usyk rematch would go against the stipulation that Hrgovic is entitled to fight Usyk instead of Fury.
Usyk to keep IBF belt even if he takes Fury rematch?
The rules are pretty clear and this was known when the Fury-Usyk contracts were signed. But IBF president Daryl Peoples has left a door slightly ajar for Usyk to keep his belt even if he takes the rematch.
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… If he asks for an exception, it goes to the board of directors, and if the board grants it, then special conditions will likely be applied.
So there’s a real possibility that Usyk could keep his belt and still fight Fury for the undisputed titles later this year. Hrgovic would certainly not be fond of that, but becoming champion grants you certain privileges.
As of right now, nothing is decided. There’s still plenty of time for Fury to change his mind about a rematch. Hrgovic also still has to get past Daniel Dubois on June 1.
