By Luke Furman

According to the word coming out of Grozny, Alexander Petkovic (49-4-4, 27KOs) is the frontrunner to replace Fres Oquendo on July 6th at the Ahmat Arena. Oquendo was scheduled to face Ruslan Chagaev for the vacant WBA 'regular' heavyweight title. Right now it's not confirmed if the WBA will sanction the fight with Petkovic being unranked, but he's available to fight and he was in training for a bout on August 29th in Germany.

Sources indicate that Oquendo was unable to secure a passport in time and additionally his wife is due to give birth in less than two weeks time. The fight has been the center of controversy for several weeks, with Oquendo's promoters, Bobby Hitz and Square Ring, claiming the boxer took the fight without their permission and they were attempting to legally cancel the contest.

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Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.