Oleksandr Usyk may be forced to relinquish another world title, potentially allowing two heavyweight veterans to collide for his IBF strap.
The Ukrainian became a three-time, two-division undisputed champion after securing a fifth-round stoppage victory in his rematch with Daniel Dubois last July.
Since then, Usyk has vacated his WBO title, enabling Fabio Wardley to be elevated from ‘interim’ to full world champion, while keeping hold of his WBC, IBF and WBA belts.
It was then announced last month that the 39-year-old will face Rico Verhoeven, a decorated kickboxer, at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza on May 23.
Originally, the WBC declared it would not sanction their contest, given that Verhoeven’s only professional boxing contest – a second-round stoppage victory over Janos Finfera, whose then-record was 0-5 – had arrived in 2014.
The sanctioning body, however, has since given Usyk the green light to defend his green and gold strap against the kickboxing star, while the IBF and WBA are yet to confirm their stance on the matter.
As far as Usyk’s IBF title is concerned, though, Wasserman and Misfits Boxing promoter Kalle Sauerland believes it should be contested by Derek Chisora and Deontay Wilder, who are gearing up to lock horns at London’s O2 Arena.
With Chisora being the organisation’s leading heavyweight contender, Sauerland has told Sky Sports that he will be lobbying for a vacant IBF title clash on April 4.
“Oleksandr Usyk has not had one single mandatory defence of the IBF [title] in his reign as heavyweight champion.
“Given Chisora’s position at the very top of the heavyweight rankings right now, and Wilder’s position as well, and given the high-profile nature of the fight, it would be an amazing addition for them to be able to fight for the belt.
“That’s the politics of boxing. We will be speaking to the IBF to see whether there is something that can resolve the situation and we will be lobbying for such a move.”
While Chisora, indeed, is the highest-ranked heavyweight contender with the sanctioning body, an IBF elimination bout will nonetheless take place between Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr on March 28.
The winner of that contest could then have a stronger claim to be ordered as mandatory challenger to Usyk, should the masterful southpaw still be in possession of his red and gold strap.
