The International Boxing Federation (IBF) released the Ukrainian WBO, WBA, IBO and IBF heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk from a mandatory title defense in a duel with Croatian Filipp Hrgovic.

It is reported by Boxing Scene.

Usyk was previously ordered to fight against IBF mandatory challenger Hrgovic.. After that, the team of the Croatian heavyweight called for an early bidding for the fight with the Ukrainian.

However, now the IBF has decided to withdraw its demand for Usyk to fight Hrgovic..

At the same time, the World Boxing Association (WBA) has previously appointed Briton Daniel Dubois as the mandatory contender for the fight with the Ukrainian..

Therefore, Usyk still has to agree on the postponement of this fight in order to realize his main intention - to fight Tyson Fury for the title of undisputed world champion in the heavyweight division..

The 35-year-old Usyk has 20 wins (13 by knockout) in 20 fights. He held four of them in the heavyweight division.. Before that, Alexander became the absolute world champion in the cruiserweight (weight category up to 90.7 kg), having won all four of the most prestigious belts there..

On the night of August 21, 2022, Alexander defeated Briton Anthony Joshua in a rematch, which took place in the city of Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). Thus, the Ukrainian defended all the titles taken from AJ last fall, and also won the vacant belt of The Ring magazine.