Former unified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua (28-3, 25 KOs) recently told the media that it was entirely reasonable for Oleksandr Usyk (22-0, 14 KOs) to lose his IBF title, as he declined to engage in a mandatory defense, and therefore should surrender the belt.
Joshua stated, “The IBF has done the right thing in stripping Usyk. Now Daniel Dubois (21-2, 20 KOs) is the IBF reigning champion, and I need to focus on my job. Usyk has an agreement for a rematch with Tyson Fury (34-1-1, 24 KOs), but the IBF required him to defend his title mandatorily. If he doesn’t do that, it’s only fair for the IBF to strip him. That’s common knowledge in boxing. I’m the IBF top contender, having defeated Otto Wallin (26-2, 14 KOs).”
Usyk’s manager, Egis Klimas, commented, “Dan Rafael (boxing journalist) is mistaken; there was no clause stipulating we had to vacate the title. It was Usyk’s own decision to give it up.”
Joshua is set to challenge the official IBF heavyweight champion, Dubois, on September 21. Should he emerge victorious, Joshua will become a three-time world heavyweight titlist.
Joshua: Usyk’s Stripping of IBF Title Is Justified for Not Defending. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/boxing-zone/17319.html
