The World Boxing Association (WBA) has made a final decision on the situation with the vacant world title in super lightweight (up to 63.5 kg).
Recall that until recently the champion (according to WBA Super) here was the Scot Josh Taylor, who refused the title (and with it the absolute championship) because of his unwillingness to carry out a mandatory defense against the Dominican Alberto Puello.
As the official reason for this decision, Josh cited a wedding and honeymoon that prevented him from holding his defense on time. However, there is a version that the Scot was not satisfied with the fee – only $ 120,000.
Be that as it may, now for the vacant title (but without the prefix Super) the same Puello (20-0, 10 KOs) and a native of Uzbekistan, Batyr Akhmedov (9-1, 8 KOs), should fight. The sides of the boxers were given time to negotiate until June 25. If an amicable agreement cannot be reached, a promotional auction will take place on July 5th.
At the same time, the winner of this fight was ordered to defend within 90 days against the Venezuelan puncher Ismael Barroso (23-3-2, 21 KOs).
But that’s not all. Spaniard Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) and Briton Ohara Davis (23-2, 16 KOs) should fight, the winner of which will become the next mandatory challenger after Barroso for the reigning champion.
Finally, in case one of the boxers is unable or unwilling to take part in this peculiar tournament, he will be replaced by the former world champion from the USA, Regis Prograis (27-1, 22 KOs).