Tyson Fury to be stripped of IBF title if he agrees to Wladimir Klitschko rematch

Fury beat Klitschko last week but has already been warned that he will be stripped of the IBF title if he does not face mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov

World heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury could be stripped of the IBF title (Getty Images)

Tyson Fury will be stripped of the IBF heavyweight world title if he agrees to a rematch with former world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

Fury shocked the world when he defeated Klitschko by unanimous decision in Dusseldorf last weekend, handing the Ukrainian heavyweight his first loss in 11 years and just the fourth of his 68-fight career.

But with Fury still celebrating his victory and intent on enjoying his Christmas, a potential spoiler arrived in the form of a notice from the IBF that he must fight their mandatory challenger, Vyacheslav Glazkov, or face being stripped of the title.

Fellow Ukrainian Glazkov is currently ranked No 1 to Fury’s title by the IBF, but the British boxer is obliged to face Klitschko again after he invoked a rematch clause included in their original contract.

Both Fury’s and Klitschko’s camp have brought up the possibility of the rematch taking place at Wembley Stadium, but the IBF want Fury to face Glazkov first.

Unsurprisingly, Fury’s camp have reacted negatively and have threatened to publicly shame the IBF if they put them in the situation where they are forced to choose the next opponent and risk losing the title.

Asked if Fury would consider ceremonially binning the IBF title, his uncle and trainer, Peter Fury, told Sky Sports: "Yes, absolutely.

"If they want to take the belt from us in such pathetic and disgusting circumstances, that will result in a public and embarrassing display for the IBF. That's for sure.

"It's shocking news. I don't think the IBF know what's happening. When we did the Klitschko deal, they wanted a rematch clause, which is common practice when you're dealing in major world title fights. He's exercising that clause so there's nothing we can do to satisfy the IBF. Tyson has to fight Klitschko.

"If Klitschko had retired, we could have slipped straight in and dealt with the mandatory but it says in the contract we can't have a voluntary so we're in between a rock and a hard place. What can we do about this?”

Fury went on to label the IBF’s order as “ridiculous”, and claimed that the right way to do things would be to honour the rematch with the winner then facing Glazkov.

"I think it's totally unfair and unprofessional from the IBF, because Tyson was crowned champion only on Saturday,” Fury added. “With all this carry on, they're giving us no time. They should be happy he holds the belt and is fighting again in the biggest fight out there. The winner would then take the IBF mandatory.

"I can assure you it hasn't come to light as far as we're concerned until after the fight. If the Klitschko camp knew it, they should have divulged that information but I don't know if they did. We didn't know anything about it and we don't want to give up the belts. How can we face Klitschko and Glazkov at the same time? It's ridiculous.

"It damages boxing as a whole. We've said what should happen and we're happy to defend it and take the mandatory but don't hold us to ransom. There's no way we can take the fight before Klitschko - he's first in line. We're happy to show the IBF the contract and if they can see a way out of it then we'll face Glazkov first. But we know there isn't.

"Let Tyson get through Klitschko and then we'll face Glazkov. We want to face the mandatory fighters but we don't want to be stripped of a belt when it's not correct. I've not had a chance to speak to Tyson yet but I'm sure when I do, he'll hit the roof."

Tyson Fury won the IBF, WBA and WBO title by beating Wladimir Klitschko (Getty Images)

IBF chairman, Lindsey Tucker, confirmed that Fury’s next opponent must be Glazkov and a purse has been set for next week, with an additional deadline set for 90 days beyond the original cut-off for a winning bidder to stage the IBF title fight.

"To be clear, Tyson Fury must fight Vyacheslav Glazkov next. If they agree terms before December 11 we cancel the purse bid. If it goes to a purse bid, the winning bidder has 90 days to do the fight," Tucker told World Boxing News.

"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."