Oleksandr Usyk’s Battle with IBF: Struggle for Undisputed Status

Oleksandr Usyk has risen to the top, yet for nearly 25 years, boxing has awaited an undisputed heavyweight champion. Why penalize a fighter holding all those belts? It seems absurd, doesn’t it?

The issue lies with the IBF’s mandatory challenger rule. According to this regulation, Usyk faces potential stripping unless he confronts their mandatory challenger, Daniel Dubois. As baffling as it sounds, the IBF insists on enforcing this mandatory clause. This mandatory challenger concept may have been appealing in 1956, when there was only one sanctioning body. However, with four recognized bodies today and multiple champions, such mandates often seem diluted and problematic.

The IBF has a history of contentious decisions in this regard, such as its handling of Czar Glazkov’s status in 2015. The recent conflict between Oleksandr Usyk and the IBF exemplifies boxing’s ongoing struggle against the authority of sanctioning bodies. These bodies, which play a pivotal role in ranking fighters, operate more like business entities than sporting authorities. They generate revenue through fighter fees and have faced challenges in recent years, particularly with the decline in heavyweight title fights.

The proposed idea of a boxing league suggests an alternative to the current system dominated by sanctioning bodies. Such a league could prioritize competitive matchups and mitigate the influence of these bodies, potentially reshaping the sport’s landscape in the future.

In summary, while the sanctioning bodies have wielded considerable power for over six decades, the landscape of boxing may be on the brink of significant change. Whether through leagues or other reforms, the sport’s stakeholders are increasingly questioning the dominance of sanctioning bodies and exploring new avenues to enhance boxing’s competitiveness and appeal.