The World Boxing Council (WBC) has no plans to strip Oleksandr Usyk of their heavyweight title, nor do they plan on making an interim championship prior to the Ukrainian's rematch with Tyson Fury at the end of the year.
Usyk defeated Fury earlier this month and claimed the WBC strap from the Briton, adding it to the WBA, IBF and WBO belts he had already won and making the 37-year-old the first undisputed champion in the division since the turn of the century. The fighters had a rematch clause in place, meaning they were always set to run it back later this year regardless of the outcome of the first bout.
However, Anthony Joshua is the WBC's No. 1 contender for their belt, leading to speculation that the organisation could either force Usyk to vacate or create an interim title for Joshua to chase while waiting for Usyk to fulfifll his contractual obligations.
That's what the International Boxing Federation (IBF) did for their No. 1 contender, Filip Hrgovic, who will fight No. 3 Daniel Dubois for the IBF interim title this weekend at the Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 event, live worldwide on DAZN.
Despite the IBF's action, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said there are no plans to do anything with their title other than to let Usyk defend it against Fury on Dec. 21.
"The WBC has been very open and vocal about this topic," Sulaiman told Casino Reviews. "The WBC ruled to accept the first fight and also the rematch which was the petition from the promoters. Certainly, Oleksandr Usyk is the WBC heavyweight champion and will be the champion when the rematch takes place.
"I am very happy and congratulate the IBF for making an interim championship (for Hrgovic vs. Dubois) and finding a way for Usyk to remain undisputed champion because that is only fair. I am very happy that the IBF understood the greatness of this matter and it is a win-win situation. There’s no downside to it."
Live on DAZN: Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5v5 on June 1. Click here for details.