By Victor Kanayo
World boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk has relinquished one of his belts.
Usyk disclosed this via his X platform in a video message.
He said, “Anthony and Daniel, I know the IBF title is important to you. It is my present to you on 21 September.”
His decision is happening five weeks after becoming the first undisputed heavyweight boxing champion in nearly 25 years.
Usyk beat Tyson Fury on a split decision on May 18, 2024 to add the WBC title to his WBA, WBO and IBF collection.
Now, the Ukrainian said he has vacated his IBF belt, which could be up for grabs for the winner of the anticipated bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois.
Dubois is the IBF’s mandatory challenger and is expected to fight fellow Briton Joshua at Wembley Stadium on September 21, 2024.
Ukrainian Usyk had requested his IBF belt not to be stripped so the undisputed title can remain on the line when he fights Fury in their rematch on December 21.
But the IBF, according to its rules, had to strip Usyk if he did not fight their mandatory challenger next.
