Anthony Joshua may be denied opportunity to become three-time world champion by IBF ruling if Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk winner is stripped
07/10/2023 16:46
Anthony Joshua may not receive a vacant IBF heavyweight world title shot as a result of the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk deal after all.
It was announced last week that Fury and Usyk have signed contracts for an undisputed clash, which is eyed to take place on December 23 or in January.
The pair will unify all four of boxing’s major heavyweight world titles when they meet, as the Brit owns the WBC crown while the Ukrainian holds the WBA, IBF and WBO belts.
However, it’s now been reported that they have also agreed a two-way rematch clause.
This all-but guarantees a second fight between them, as it allows the loser the contractual right to force a rematch.
But if Fury vs Usyk II does indeed happen, then it will seemingly not be for the undisputed crown for a second time.
IBF mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic is already overdue for his world title shot and will get his opportunity.
The sanctioning body have now sent letters to both Fury and Usyk confirming that the winner of their fight will be ordered to defend against the dangerous unbeaten Croatian next with no exceptions.
This means that the Fury vs Usyk winner will almost certainly be stripped of the IBF heavyweight world title before their second clash.
At first, it looked as though this may open the door for Joshua.
If the IBF belt does indeed become vacant, then Hrgovic would be ordered to fight for it against the next highest ranked available contender in the IBF rankings.
At present, AJ is indeed holding this position as Hrgovic is #1 in the rankings and he is #3.
However, it has since been pointed out that the vacant #2 spot will likely soon be taken by someone else.
On September 30, Otto Wallin beat Murat Gassiev in a heavyweight clash that was in fact an eliminator for the #2 position in the IBF rankings.
Therefore, when the sanctioning body next update their list, it will likely clarify that Hrgovic vs Wallin would be ordered for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title, with Joshua denied the chance to become three-time heavyweight world champion for now.
