Oleksandr Usyk could still avoid being stripped of the heavyweight world title and disrupt Anthony Joshua’s plan

Oleksandr Usyk has started talks to retain his IBF world heavyweight title after beating Tyson Fury.

The Ukrainian became the first undisputed champion since Lennox Lewis achieved the feat in 1999, scoring a huge points win in Saudi Arabia last weekend to hand the ‘Gypsy King’ his first career defeat.

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But it has been revealed that Usyk will likely be relieved of the belt by the IBF for his immediate rematch against Fury, as Filip Hrgovic is a late mandatory challenger who first secured his job in 2022.

Hrgovic was scheduled to face Daniel Dubois on June 1 and the hope was that the vacant IBF world title was on the line.

Anthony Joshua was charting his own path to the IBF, with a touted fight at Wembley Stadium against the winner of Hrgovic against Dubois in September.

But the title hopes of Hrgovic, Dubois and AJ could yet be dealt a blow, after it was confirmed that Usyk requested an “exception” to try and retain his IBF crown after beating Fury.

Usyk’s team has submitted an official request and it will now be considered by the organization according to IBF President Daryl Peoples.

If the exception were granted, “The Cat” could defend his undisputed titles against Fury, who could further cement his name in the history books with a revenge victory.

It would be at that point, after the sequel, that Usyk would then be forced to fight the IBF mandatory challenger if an exception was indeed granted.

Hrgovic’s showdown with Dubois on the upcoming 5-on-5 card between Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren would then effectively form an eliminator for a shot at the undisputed titles with an IBF “interim” belt potentially on the line.

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Joshua will wait to see what happens, but he could indeed pursue a non-title fight with Fury in 2025, if Usyk beats the ‘Gypsy King’ for a second time.

Fury promoter Bob Arum has insisted the all-British clash remains on the table, but it will depend on available routes.

Usyk has conquered it all and could once again write his name in the record books by defending his titles.

But former super middleweight champion Carl Froch insists Usyk’s affairs are settled and it would be best to avoid a second episode.

He said on talkSPORT’s ‘The Verdict’ podcast with George Groves:

I think the only thing Usyk will do is retire, he will either have a rematch or he will retire.

“He’s got nothing to prove. He’s beaten AJ twice, he’s beaten Tyson Fury now.

“He’s the generational great for me. Usyk is the main one, he’s the leader of the pack.

“When you look at this generation of heavyweights, you’re going to look back and say ‘Oleksandr Usyk is the main man, he’s dominated’.

“In my opinion he should retire, he has done everything he should do, he has made enough money, he has mastered the game, he has finished boxing.

“There’s nothing left to do. an undisputed cruiserweight, an undisputed heavyweight, 37 years old, on his way to 40.”

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