The IBF has stopped short of taking away Olekandr Usyk’s heavyweight title and instead labeled Saturday’s Filip Hrgovic-Daniel Dubois bout in Saudi Arabia a fight for its interim heavyweight title.
As undisputed champion Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) waits out a medical suspension following his dramatic split-decision victory over Tyson Fury May 18 while requesting an exception to keep his IBF belt, the sanctioning body has given Croatia’s mandatory contender Hrgovic (17-0, 14 KOs) a consolation prize should he defeat England’s Dubois (20-2, 19 KOs) on the DAZN-streamed “5 versus 5” card in Saudi Arabia.
Hrgovic and his handlers have pressed the IBF to make Saturday’s bout a full title fight since IBF bylaws stipulate a champion cannot arrange a rematch when a mandatory bout is due.
Yet, Usyk has requested the exception and could still potentially strike a financial arrangement to fight him next should he repeat victory over Fury in a bout that is scheduled to take place Dec. 21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
An IBF official told BoxingScene Friday, “There hasn’t been a decision on if and when (Saturday’s winner) will be elevated,” to full champion.
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