Mexico City, Mexico - A new title is set to emerge, aimed at facilitating the journey back to an undisputed champion. The creation of this title comes on the heels of Oleksandr Usyk being stripped of his IBF crown in June, a decision widely criticized for disrupting the division’s hard-won undisputed status.

Oleksandr Usyk, fresh off a historic victory over Tyson Fury that crowned him the first undisputed heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, found his reign as undisputed champion abruptly cut short. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) mandated that Usyk defend his title against Daniel Dubois, who had earned his shot by defeating Filip Hrgovic.

Usyk, however, was already contractually obligated to a rematch with Fury, leaving little room for the IBF’s demands. Given that Dubois subsequently agreed to fight Anthony Joshua, Usyk made the decision to vacate the IBF title rather than engage in battles against two opponents he had already defeated convincingly. The IBF’s decision to enforce this ruling just 38 days after Usyk’s crowning moment drew ire from fans and analysts alike. It highlighted the ongoing challenges of navigating mandatory defenses while pursuing marquee fights, leaving boxing enthusiasts yearning for a more unified approach to maintaining undisputed champions.

In response to the fractured heavyweight picture, the World Boxing Council (WBC) has announced the reintroduction of its interim heavyweight title. Unlike the IBF, the WBC has chosen not to strip Usyk of his title, instead creating an interim championship to keep the division active and competitive. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman emphasized the organization's commitment to fostering meaningful fights while safeguarding the path to undisputed unification.

“The WBC has received a formal request to sanction such a fight for the interim title, and the WBC will accept sanctioning it,” Sulaiman told Sky Sports. “We have done everything possible for the past several years to reach the ultimate, great fights in each weight category, especially in the heavyweights. There’s no better fight than Usyk vs. Fury 2. With that fight happening, we’ve accepted the next two available ranked fighters to contest the interim title."

Sulaiman underscored that the move is intended to “keep them active and keep the division having the best fights possible.” The WBC interim title will now be contested by China’s Zhilei Zhang and Germany’s Agit Kabayel. Zhang, ranked just below Tyson Fury, has been on a meteoric rise, while Kabayel steps in as the fourth-ranked contender after Martin Bakole opted to pursue an IBF eliminator against Efe Ajagba.

This matchup represents a huge opportunity for both fighters to position themselves for a future shot at full heavyweight glory. With Zhang’s power and Kabayel’s tactics, fans can expect an intriguing clash that maintains momentum in the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, Daniel Dubois, who claimed the full IBF title by stopping Anthony Joshua, is slated to defend his belt against former WBO champion Joseph Parker on February 22. The winner of this bout is expected to face either Usyk or Fury in a unification bout by 2025, further advancing the quest to crown an undisputed champion once more.

The creation of the WBC interim title reflects the ongoing complexities of managing mandatory defenses while preserving the allure of high-stakes unification bouts. While the IBF’s decision to strip Usyk somewhat fractured the heavyweight crown, the WBC’s approach prioritizes keeping the division active without undermining the integrity of its reigning champions.

Fans can look forward to a dynamic 2025, with the heavyweight division brimming with potential showdowns. As Sulaiman aptly put it, the goal remains clear: “to ensure the best fights and the ultimate undisputed champion.” For now, all eyes will turn to Zhang vs. Kabayel and Dubois vs. Parker as pivotal matchups shaping the future of heavyweight boxing.