IBF Threat To Strip Fury Of Belt Sparks Anger
Trainer Peter Fury has said the IBF's threat to strip new world champion Tyson Fury is a "disgrace" and his nephew will put the belt in the bin if the governing body follows through.
Fury (25-0-KO18) won the WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight straps by upsetting Wladimir Klitschko on points in Dusseldorf last Saturday, but when the news broke that Klitschko would exercise his contractual right to a rematch, the IBF made clear the title would be vacated if Fury fails to face mandatory challenger Vyacheslav Glazkov first.
With their fighter having been in possession of his titles less than a week, Team Fury reacted angrily to the situation. When asked if the IBF's decision could result in the belt being ceremonially binned, 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?
"I think it's totally unfair and unprofessional from the IBF, because Tyson was crowned champion only on Saturday. 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."
Early reports suggest Ukraine's Glazkov (21-0-1) would fight either American Charles Martin or Erkan Teper of Germany for the title if it becomes vacant.
