The IBF has outlined its plan for Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight title, as the unified champion prepares to fight kickboxer Rico Verhoeven this month.
On 23 May, Usyk will face Verhoeven at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, defending the WBC heavyweight title against the Dutchman.
Usyk also holds the IBF and WBA belts, and because he was granted this voluntary title defence against Verhoeven, he must partake in a WBC mandatory defence next – or be stripped of the belt.
Now, the IBF has moved to secure its place in the chain, having issued a statement on Thursday.
“On April 16, 2026, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) received a letter from John Hornewer on behalf of IBF/WBA/WBC Unified Heavyweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk,” the statement began, “requesting that the IBF permit Usyk to participate in an unsanctioned contest against Rico Verhoeven on May 23, 2026, in Giza, Egypt.
“Pursuant to IBF Rule 5.H., ‘An unsanctioned contest is a fight which the IBF has not formally approved for sanction or where sanction has been formally withdrawn. If a Champion participates in an unsanctioned contest within his prescribed weight limit, the title will be declared vacant whether the Champion wins or loses the bout.’
“The World Boxing Council (WBC) has sanctioned the Usyk vs. Verhoeven bout and indicated that it will enforce its mandatory bout next. Based on the rotation system, the World Boxing Association (WBA) mandatory bout would follow the WBC mandatory. Accordingly, the IBF determined that there are no affected boxers, as the IBF acknowledges the rotation system among the IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO.
“On April 29, 2026, the IBF Board of Directors convened by video conference and determined that Usyk’s exception request should be granted, subject to the following conditions.”
In short, the IBF approved the fight between Usyk and Verhoeven, so that the Ukrainian must not be stripped of his IBF belt if he wins on 23 May. However, they outlined the conditions below:
“1. If Usyk loses on May 23, 2026, the IBF Heavyweight title will be declared vacant immediately.
“2. If Usyk wins on May 23, 2026, the IBF will acknowledge the WBC’s position in the rotation and order the IBF mandatory bout for one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter.
“3. If the WBA grants a special permit, the IBF will acknowledge the WBA’s position in the rotation and order the IBF mandatory bout for one hundred eighty (180) days thereafter.
“4. The IBF reserves the right to amend the mandatory date in the event of substantial delays in the rotation.”
So Usyk, 39, will be stripped of his title if he loses to Verhoeven, 37. But if he wins, he will be ordered to defend his IBF title 180 days after his WBC mandatory defence (which is currently without a date) or 180 days after a WBA mandatory defence, if one is ordered.
Agit Kabayel is the WBC’s mandatory challenger, while Murat Gassiev is currently ranked No 1 with the WBA. Interestingly, the IBF has no fighters ranked at No 1 and No 2 in the heavyweight division, but Frank Sanchez is No 3.
Separately, Daniel Dubois owns the WBO title, having dethroned Fabio Wardley with an 11th-round stoppage last weekend.
Dubois’s team are keen for the 28-year-old to challenge for undisputed status again at some point, after he failed against Usyk last summer. Usyk stopped Dubois in July, having previously beaten him via TKO in 2023.
Usyk also holds a win over Gassiev, whom he outpointed during the pair’s cruiserweight careers. Usyk remains the only undisputed cruiserweight champion of the four-belt era, while he is a former two-time undisputed heavyweight champion.
