Oleksandr Usyk stands at number 3 in the latest IBF (International Boxing Federation) heavyweight rankings as he continues to push for a world-title shot.
The former cruiserweight king (17-0) is already the mandatory challenger for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title and is hoping to face the winner of Anthony Joshua vs Kubrat Pulev.
IBF mandatory Pulev set for Joshua clash
IBF mandatory Pulev gets his shot at the title against AJ on Saturday December 12 at London’s O2 Arena – either with or without fans in attendance. The 39-year-old (28-1) had been due to face the defending champion at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 20 – before COVID-19 took a hand.
Former IBF world champion Charles Martin (28-2-1) – who lost his crown to Joshua back in April 2016 – is number 2 in the rankings with Usyk at 3. Talented American Michael Hunter (18-1-1) is next at 4 with Joshua’s conqueror Andy Ruiz Jr (33-2) at 5.
Unbeaten Croatian Filip Hrgovic (10-0) is sixth in the IBF list of contenders with former WBO king Joseph Parker at 7. Then come Tyson Fury victim Tom Schwarz (8), Germany’s Agit Kabayel (9) and UK veteran Dereck Chisora to round out the top 10.
Outside the top 10 some notable inclusions feature French prospect Tony Yoka at 11 and China’s Matchroom Boxing new boy Zhang Zhilei at 15. New Zealander Junior Fa meanwhile is at 12.
After several months of inactivity for the world’s top heavyweights due to COVID (bar that Dillian Whyte vs Alexander Povetkin showdown in August) the end of 2020 is set to feature a stacked schedule. That will be topped off of course by Joshua vs Pulev and Tyson Fury’s UK homecoming – both of which are currently slated to happen in December.
International Boxing Federation (IBF) heavyweight rankings
Champion: Anthony Joshua
1. Kubrat Pulev
2. Charles Martin
3. Oleksandr Usyk
4. Michael Hunter
5. Andy Ruiz Jr
6. Filip Hrgovic
7. Joseph Parker
8. Tom Schwarz
9. Agit Kabayel
10. Dereck Chisora
11. Tony Yoka
12. Junior Fa
13. Demsey McKean
14. Otto Wallin
15. Zhang Zhilei