Tyson Fury has been stripped of his IBF world heavyweight title after refusing a mandatory defence, according to a report from the BBC.
The British fighter, 27, beat Ukraine's Wladimir Klitschko in Dusseldorf on November 29 to win the WBA, WBO and IBF world titles.
But he has quickly lost the latter after signing up for a rematch with Klitschko rather than a bout against the IBF's mandatory challenger, another Ukrainian in Vyacheslav Glazkov.
The Klitschko rematch was guaranteed by a clause in the contract for their original fight, won by Fury in a unanimous points decision.
Klitschko was quick to take up the option, leaving his compatriot out in the cold and Fury facing the loss of one of his three belts.
The IBF could not immediately be contacted for comment.
Source: PA
