WBA orders Usyk-Lebedev (again)

Badlefthook.com

This is the second time the WBA has given this order; the first time, they used it to complicate Usyk’s (16-0, 12 KO) planned match with Tony Bellew because the WBA is garbage. In all likelihood, this will just result in Lebedev (32-2, 23 KO) fighting for the vacant “super” belt.

It’s not clear whom he would fight, though. WBA #1 Yuniel Dorticos and #2 Andrew Tabiti are both tied up in the World Boxing Super Series, leaving #3 Ryad Merhy the highest-ranked contender. They could, of course, just pit Lebedev against “world” champ Beibut Shumenov or “gold” champ Arsen Goulamirian, but that would require the WBA sacrificing a belt and I don’t see that happening.

Usyk’s debut opponent at heavyweight remains similarly up in the air, as his original plan to fight Alexander Povetkin in May fell through.