In a highly anticipated boxing match held in Saudi Arabia, Oleksandr Usyk emerged victorious over Tyson Fury, adding Fury's WBC title to his collection of WBA (Super), WBO, IBF, and IBO titles. However, Usyk's undisputed heavyweight champion status could be short-lived as he faces the imminent forfeiture of the IBF belt.

The decision to strip Usyk of the IBF title stems from his commitment to a rematch with Fury, scheduled for October. Filip Hrgovic, the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, is unwilling to wait for this rematch, leading to the belt being vacated. Hrgovic will then face Daniel Dubois in June to determine the new IBF champion, with the winner expected to face Anthony Joshua at Wembley in September.

These developments mean that by the time Usyk and Fury have their rematch, neither fighter will hold the unified title, as they will lack the IBF crown. It remains to be seen whether the winner of their rematch will seek to reclaim the IBF belt and restore the unified status.

Despite the potential loss of the IBF belt, Usyk seems unfazed. Following his intense training camp and the grueling bout with Fury, Usyk's focus has shifted towards rest and spending time with his family. He expressed relief and joy over his victory but emphasized his need for recovery and quality time with his loved ones.

The extended preparation for the fight, delayed from its original February date due to a cut Fury sustained in training, took a toll on Usyk. He reflected on the sacrifices made during his training period, including missing significant family events and holidays. Usyk expressed his eagerness to return home and enjoy the fruits of his victory.

Although Usyk sustained a minor cut above his eye, requiring four stitches, and there were concerns about a potential jaw injury, he was cleared by a routine MRI scan and returned to the Kingdom Arena to celebrate his triumph.

After the fight, Usyk expressed gratitude towards his team, supporters, and his home country of Ukraine, particularly highlighting the ongoing conflict. Tyson Fury, who initially claimed the judges favored Usyk due to sympathy for Ukraine's wartime struggles, later adopted a more measured tone, acknowledging the close nature of the fight.

Both Usyk and Fury have their sights set on a possible rematch in October, though specific plans have yet to be confirmed. As they look ahead to the future, boxing fans around the world eagerly anticipate another thrilling clash between these two heavyweight giants.