Oleksandr Usyk has officially vacated the IBF heavyweight boxing championship.
Usyk made the announcement on social media. A new champion will be crowned in September when Anthony Joshua battles Daniel Dubois.
Joshua vs. Dubois is planned for September 21 from London’s Wembley Stadium. An officially announcement regarding the match being for the vacant title is expected soon.
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Following his win over Tyson Fury earlier this year, Usyk laid claim to being the undisputed heavyweight champion. He scored a split decision over Fury to leave with the WBA, WBC, WBO and IBF belts.
IBF president Daryl Peoples told ESPN that the title is vacant at the moment.
A rematch between Usyk and Fury is scheduled for December 21 in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. That night, the WBA, WBC and WBO belts are expected to be on the line.
IBF officials had already declared Usyk had missed his mandatory title defense date before meeting Fury. The winner was ordered to fight the mandatory challenger or be stripped.
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Earlier this month, Dubois finished Filip Hrgovic for the interim IBF title in Riyadh. Usyk, who is 22-0 in his career, has already topped both Joshua and Dubois.
The Joshua vs. Dubois match is a meeting of English fighters. It will also be the first Riyadh Season event to be held in the United Kingdom.
