Oleksandr Usyk has reportedly requested an exception that would see him keep his undisputed status following his win over Tyson Fury last weekend.
The Ukrainian won at the Kingdom Arena via split decision, having left Fury reeling with a flurry of punches in the ninth round of the contest.
Usyk secured the only belt he needed to become undisputed at two height classes, having previously conquered the cruiserweight division prior to moving up to heavyweight.
He is, however, set to be stripped of his IBF belt next weekend.
The world title can then be on the line when Filip Hrgovic and Daniel Dubois fight.
Yet Usyk has pleaded with IBF chief Daryl Peoples to let him keep hold of his belt for a little longer.
His manager Egis Klimas told Boxing Scene: "We're waiting for a decision to be made.
"I think it's more important for Tyson Fury now.
"Oleksandr, of course, is a two-time unified champion and if the next fight is just for the three belts, I don’t think it’s going to be fair for either of the two guys. Either Tyson Fury or for Oleksandr.
“As far as importance, I think it’s more important for Team Fury to get this title.
"Imagine if Fury wins – he’s not going to be undisputed, so he is losing the chance.
"The rematch, the clause, was so both guys had the chance to be undisputed. I hope the IBF are going to make the right decision.
“We don’t know who is going to be a winner. Hrgovic, who has been mandatory for a long time or Dubois.
"I think right now it would be the right decision for the IBF to say, ‘We’re supporting the undisputed’, which is also I believe in the rulings but we don’t know how it’s going to turn out."
Usyk and Fury are set to meet in a rematch in October.
However, as things stand, it's hard to see all four belts being on the line.
Fury, meanwhile, has been mocked with memes in the short time since his defeat.
But Eddie Hearn, speaking to talkSPORT, believes that's unfair given how well he performed on the night.
"I feel like sometimes we are ha ha merchants, there is people who want people to lose," he said.
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"I must be going soft in my old age.
"We put these fighters in to promote the fight, he says some silly things sometimes but he is a character.
"Tyson's job is to talk it up, he is an entertainer and we use his soundbites to sell it but after we hold it against him.
"When you get beat, all of the stuff in the past get regurgitated and used against him.
"But knowing boxers and seeing the heart he showed in the ninth round, but I'd rather say respect to you and regardless of what you said 'respect to you and you are a great heavyweight as well'.
"But if you want to make it fearsome when you lose, boxers will be scared to roll the dice sometimes."
"I've never got on particularly well with Tyson Fury, this would be a great opportunity to jump on him."
