Ben Shalom has weighed in on the latest news in the heavyweight division, stating that the IBF’s ordering of Oleksandr Usyk to defend his world title against mandatory challenger Filip Hrgovic is not as black and white as many believe.
Speaking on the Toe2Toe podcast, Shalom revealed he has heard rumblings that an undisputed fight between Fury and Usyk may not be doomed by the latest correspondence from the IBF, despite many pundits expressing views contrary to this.
“I think we just have to wait and see what the IBF are going to do. From what I’ve heard, they’re yet to enforce the mandatory, so let’s just see what happens.”
“I’m not sure it’s as black and white as Usyk must defend against Hrgovic or vacate.”
Eddie Hearn, who has co-promoted Hrgovic for the Croatian’s recent fights, told the press this week he would be lobbying for immediate purse bids to be called – a move that many fans on social media saw as Hearn simply trying to scupper an undisputed fight between Fury and Usyk.
Shalom’s comments follow some from Team Usyk, who have once again made it clear that ‘The Gypsy King’ is the man they want next.
Talks for a clash for all the marbles between Fury and Usyk were said to be progressing well, and the Ukrainian’s promoter Alex Krassyuk has insisted that the IBF ruling will not stand in the way of the first heavyweight undisputed fight of the four belt era.
After the collapse of Fury vs Joshua earlier this autumn, fans will be hoping Krassyuk is proved correct and the boxing public is not robbed of yet another mammoth heavyweight fight.