Oleksandr Usyk is vacating his IBF title

[Perkin Warbeck]

So the December rematch with Fury will not be for undisputed (all the world titles).

However, the winner in December could fight the winner of Joshua-Dubois (if that fight happens in the fall) sometime in 2025.

[joshj909]

It did seem like this would always happen. I don't know if the winner will face them as the WBO will want to enforce Parker sooner rather than later. There will probably be WBC and WBA mandatories by then also

[margaret thatcher]

the undisputed was made, im happy enough with that, usyk doesnt need the belts any more. adds a slight bit of extra interest to aj-dubs, which is a good fight

[Finkel]

I agree

It allowed Usyk to become undisputed, and it allows the IBF to still respect their own ladder and their next champion

After all, from the perspective of Dubois v Joshua, it's better to be a secondary belt holder who won the IBF in a good match-up, than a secondary belt holder who gets emailed the championship.

Usyk will still be the man of the division, and really, it makes sense that it happens now.

[Contendeh]

It sucks - but it was expected.

It brings an extra level of absurdity to the sport that Usyk recently defeated both of the guys fighting for the (paper) championship pretty soundly.

Imagine if Ali was stripped of his belt so that Liston and Cooper could fight for “a title”.

[Evander]

I'd never have guessed it.

[Ketchel]

It shows how ridiculous boxing is with so many belts. Cue Joshua "making history" by becoming a 3 time heavyweight champion when we all know that he will not be the heavyweight champion. Usyk is the Heavyweight Champion!

Will Joshua or Dubois be able to look in the mirror afterwards and say "I am the champion of the world"? fornicate they will.

[Perkin Warbeck]

So Dubois is now IBF champion. I would have preferred they wait until September 21 and give the belt to the winner.

Here's today's press conference, live:

[gp.]

Say it ain't so, Joe.

[DrDuke]

IBF are b1tches again. However, it'll be more or less interesting in the case of Fury winning.

[BroughtonRulesRefuge]

- AJ gets a starter belt in his quest to be 3x undisputed Heavy Champ as Usyk retires after blowing out Flubber yet again…only in boxing, folks…

[halfamill]

Can Usyk also vacate his other alphabet belts since everyone knows that he is the real champ or would it be some type of breach because of the Fury fight?

[RuudOEN84]

So Dubois is now IBF champion. I would have preferred they wait until September 21 and give the belt to the winner.

Here's today's press conference, live:

I wonder how Hrgovic feels now. He was IBF interim champion for nearly 2 years (or atleast no. 1 in their ranks). Dubois was interim champ for one month and gets handed the IBF title without having to fight for it in a official title bout
Why doesn't the IBF just wait till september, but instead already appoint a new champion?

[jonnyyorkshu]

So Dubois is now IBF champion. I would have preferred they wait until September 21 and give the belt to the winner.

Here's today's press conference, live:

I wonder how Hrgovic feels now. He was IBF interim champion for nearly 2 years (or atleast no. 1 in their ranks). Dubois was interim champ for one month and gets handed the IBF title without having to fight for it in a official title bout
Why doesn't the IBF just wait till september, but instead already appoint a new champion?

Maybe because ddd beat hrg last time out

[gilgamesh]

The idea is really funny when you think about it.

Usyk is no longer Undisputed Champion , These 2 guys that he's beaten already are gonna fight it out to determine who is the true Champion in the eyes of the IBF

I think it's safe to say that Usyk's reign will continue to be seen as the only legitimate one in the division.

[DrDuke]

The idea is really funny when you think about it.

Usyk is no longer Undisputed Champion , These 2 guys that he's beaten already are gonna fight it out to determine who is the true Champion in the eyes of the IBF

I think it's safe to say that Usyk's reign will continue to be seen as the only legitimate one in the division.

Yes, that's absurd. I just can't see not only a reason in it, but a value for IBF. If only they weren't paid off by the so-called contenders.

[dempseyfire]

It shows how ridiculous boxing is with so many belts. Cue Joshua "making history" by becoming a 3 time heavyweight champion when we all know that he will not be the heavyweight champion. Usyk is the Heavyweight Champion!

Will Joshua or Dubois be able to look in the mirror afterwards and say "I am the champion of the world"? fornicate they will.

Joshua has never been "the champ" in the division. He's a 2X champ as much as Tim Witherspoon is a 2X champ.

[gregregegg]

It shows how ridiculous boxing is with so many belts. Cue Joshua "making history" by becoming a 3 time heavyweight champion when we all know that he will not be the heavyweight champion. Usyk is the Heavyweight Champion!

Will Joshua or Dubois be able to look in the mirror afterwards and say "I am the champion of the world"? fornicate they will.

Joshua has never been "the champ" in the division. He's a 2X champ as much as Tim Witherspoon is a 2X champ.

so who was "the Champ" in 2017?