Oleksandr Usyk relinquishes IBF heavyweight title to Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois

In a surprising turn of events, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois are set to battle for the IBF heavyweight belt on September 1 at Wembley Stadium, following Oleksandr Usyk's decision to relinquish the title. This London event marks the first Saudi Arabian-backed promotion in the UK, signaling the Middle East state's increasing involvement in boxing. Usyk, who recently became the undisputed heavyweight champion, had to vacate his IBF belt due to a mandatory rematch with Tyson Fury in December, leaving Dubois as the new interim IBF heavyweight champion after defeating Filip Hrgovic. Dubois, at 26, expressed genuine animosity towards Joshua, vowing a swift victory and claiming that the fight won't last 12 rounds. Joshua, a two-time heavyweight champion, remained focused on the upcoming contest, stating that he would unleash his full potential on fight night. Usyk, in a social media post, explained that relinquishing his IBF belt was a strategic move to pave the way for Dubois and Joshua to compete for the crown, highlighting the complexities of maintaining undisputed champions in the current boxing landscape. The history of undisputed heavyweight champions facing challenges from sanctioning bodies was underscored, with Lennox Lewis's reign in 1999 serving as a notable example. Lewis, like Usyk, faced belt-stripping scenarios due to mandatory challengers and conflicting obligations, showcasing the ongoing struggle for boxers to navigate the demands of multiple sanctioning bodies. The evolving nature of the sport, with four possible world champions in each weight division, poses a significant hurdle for boxers aiming to achieve and maintain undisputed status, as belts are often split off to accommodate mandated challengers. As the boxing world eagerly anticipates the Joshua-Dubois showdown for the IBF heavyweight belt, the implications of Usyk's decision and the broader challenges facing undisputed champions in the sport loom large. With the stage set for a high-stakes battle between two formidable British fighters, the outcome of the upcoming bout at Wembley Stadium on September 1 will not only determine a new IBF heavyweight champion but also shed light on the intricate dynamics shaping the landscape of professional boxing.