It was a all good just a week ago. Controversy has been sparked in the heavyweight world as a lot of people are continuing to make major speculations. On Tuesday, the International Boxing Federation (IBF) stripped Heavyweight champion Tyson Fury of his belt for refusing to face challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov. Even though Wladimir Klitschko exercised his rematch clause, the IBF expects their title holder to abide by the federation’s standards if he were to keep his belt. Instead, Glazkov will be going up against Charles Martin for the vacant title.
IBF chairman Lindsey Tucker released an official statement and had this to say to World Boxing News on December 3.
Regarding the Klitschko rematch taking precedence, it’s just the opposite as the mandatory takes priority of the rematch. In fact Rule 3B Return Bout states: No contract for a championship contest shall contain any clause or provision, whatsoever, guaranteeing or in any way assuring or promising either contestant a return championship contest where such clause or provision interferes with the mandatory defense of the title.
Some fans and experts believed that this action is unfair to the champ and to the boxing world, inferring that politics and favoritism may played a role in this notion.
would klitschko have been stripped also under the same circumstances @IBFUSBAboxing ?
— Victor M. Salazar Jr (@BoxingVoice_Vic) December 8, 2015
Fury’s promoter believes that they shouldn’t have done this, stating He the IBF is trying to “hustle and bully” Tyson to fight Glazkov, something that will not happen claiming that Glazkov has no value. It will be interesting to see how this scenario will play out. Boxing fans will keep a close eye on this debacle.
