After confirming the rematch with Tyson Fury, Daryl Peoples – president of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) – mentioned what Oleksandr Usyk should do to avoid losing the title of the organization and remain for a while longer as undisputed heavyweight champion.
In an interview with Boxing Scene, Peoples explained that champions They cannot have revenge clauses in their contracts because they interfere with his mandates, so if Usyk wants to continue with the belt he must request an exception to this rule.
“As far as IBF rules are concerned, any reigning champion may request an exception. Any reigning champion may request an exception to any IBF rule. The rule is that You cannot have a clause in your contract that guarantees you a revenge fight that interferes with your mandate. It is not a secret among promoters. Everyone, more or less, knows the consequences of having those clauses. We’ve been down this road before,” he said.
The IBF ordered the Ukrainian to defend the belt against Filip Hrgovic -mandatory challenger and who will face Daniel Dubois on June 1- but as the champion has a rematch clause with Tyson Fury that will become effective in October, the Croatian would have to wait to get his opportunity.
According to Daryl Peoples, So far Usyk has not requested an exception to the rule to be able to do the second fight with The Gipsy King and if he doesn’t he could be unknown. If the organization’s scepter is taken away from him, Hrgovic would have the right to dispute it against Dubois.
“You have the right to do so (request the exception). I don’t know (why he hasn’t done it). Right now, Hrgovic-Dubois is not for any title. “I am sure that there are people who make decisions before approaching me about any issue,” he concluded.
Last weekend, Oleksandr Usyk started by losing the fight with Tyson Fury, who kept him at bay in the first half due to his great reach, mobility in the ring and with body blows. In the second part of the fight, The Ukrainian was gaining confidence and in the ninth he almost knocked out the English fighter.
After the 12 rounds, one judge scored 113-114 for The Gipsy King, while the other two judges saw Usyk as the winner 115-12 and 114-113. to make history and become undisputed heavyweight champion. This feat has not been achieved for 19 years, since the last to do so was Lennox Lewis.
Oleksandr Usyk, 37, He was crowned undisputed heavyweight champion after a close fight with Fury in Saudi Arabia. The Ukrainian remains immaculate after 22 fights, 14 of them on the fast track.
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