IBF Also Allows Usyk to Defend Titles Against Verhoeven

At 39 years old and just a week before his exhibition match against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven near the Giza pyramids in Egypt, Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) received final confirmation that all three of his championship belts would be on the line.

The International Boxing Federation (IBF), which previously played a role in stripping Usyk of his undisputed champion status, announced it would allow the Ukrainian to proceed with the fight without any negative repercussions.

In an official statement, the IBF wrote: “The World Boxing Council (WBC) sanctioned the Usyk vs. Verhoeven bout and indicated they would enforce their mandatory defense afterward. Based on the rotational system, the World Boxing Association (WBA) mandatory defense would follow the WBC's. Accordingly, the IBF determined that no boxers are affected, as the IBF recognizes the rotational system among the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO.”

“The IBF Board of Directors held a video conference and decided that Usyk's request for an exception should be granted under the following conditions:

Should Usyk lose, the IBF heavyweight title will be immediately declared vacant. If Usyk wins, the IBF will acknowledge the WBC's position in the rotation and mandate a compulsory defense of the IBF title within 180 days.
If the WBA grants special permission, the IBF will recognize the WBA's position in the rotation and mandate a compulsory defense of the IBF title within 180 days thereafter.

Usyk has already defeated current WBO heavyweight champion Daniel Dubois twice, as well as two-time champions Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.

In the IBF heavyweight rankings, the top two contender positions are vacant. On the undercard of Usyk's fight night, a bout to determine the mandatory challenger will take place between number 3 and 4 ranked Frank Sanchez and Richard Torrez Jr.