The former absolute champion of the world in the first heavyweight Tony Bellew sharply criticized the decision of the International Boxing Federation (IBF) to deprive the absolute champion of the world in super heavy weight Oleksandr Usyk of the title. Bellew called such a decision absurd and damaging to the image of boxing.
“This is the reason my great sport is shooting itself in the foot! Why should Usyk release the belt? He’s the best heavyweight in the world and he just showed it. Let him have a rematch or fight a top contender. Really simple! The politics of this sport is maddening“, – wrote Belyu on his page in the social network Kh.
The IBF has announced that the title will become vacant due to Usyk’s failure to perform the mandatory defense against Filip Hrhovych. This means that after the historic victory over Tyson Fury, which brought him the title of absolute champion, Usyk will lose one of his four titles, remaining the champion of the WBA, WBO and WBC.
The rematch between Usyk and Fury, scheduled for October 12-13, 2024 in Riyadh, is expected to have only three major belts on the line. The new IBF title holder will be the winner of the fight between Hrhovic and Briton Daniel Dubois, which will take place on June 1.
