One proposition involves the IBF title. Promoter Kalle Sauerland has confirmed that inquiries have been made as to whether the organization would consider putting his belt on the line in the planned April fight between Deontay Wilder and Derek Chisora.
“Oleksandr Usyk has not had a single mandatory defense of the IBF title in his reign,” Sauerland told Sky Sports. “Given Chisora’s position at the very top of the IBF heavyweight rankings at the moment, and Wilder’s position as well … it would be a great addition for them to be able to fight for the belt.”
The IBF rankings add another complication. Chisora ​​currently appears at #2 in the organization’s heavyweight rankings, while Wilder does not appear at all in the latest rankings. Any decision to attach the IBF title to their fight would require the sanctioning body to issue a ruling on Usyk’s championship status.
Another request emerged from the WBA side. Former unified cruiserweight champion Murat Gassiev currently holds the WBA’s secondary “ordinary” heavyweight belt, and his team has asked the organization to consider elevating him to full champion.
These discussions have emerged as the WBC continues to approve Usyk’s planned May 23 fight with Verhoeven as a legitimate title defense. A dominant kickboxing champion, Verhoeven has only one professional boxing contest on record, a win over Janos Finfera more than a decade ago.
The situation leaves the heavyweight division in an unusual position. Usyk is preparing for a voluntary fight outside the normal contender list, while other camps are looking for ways to bring the remaining titles into play.
Sanctioning bodies have not announced any decisions, but the interest from rival teams shows that several fighters believe the heavyweight belts could soon be up for grabs without facing the champion himself.
