By Yuri Tarantin

The World Boxing Organization has ordered WBO cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Glowacki (26-0, 16KOs) to make a mandatory title defense against challenger Oleksandr Usyk (9-0, 9KOs) of Ukraine.

Last Saturday at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Glowacki made a voluntary defense against former IBF champion Steve Cunningham. He scored four knockdowns on route to a twelve round unanimous decision win.

Glowacki captured the world title last August with a knockout victory over longtime champion Marco Huck of Germany. He suffered some injuries to his hand and elbow during the contest and required surgery.

Uysk, an Olympic gold medal winner, is being fast-tracked to the belt and wants to face the champion sooner than later. He was due to take an interim-fight to stay busy, but suffered an injury in camp and now hears straight to a world title shot.

The CEO of K2 Ukraine, Alexander Krassyuk, says the sanctioning body has sent an official letter to both sides, ordering them face each other. If they are unable to reach an agreement, the two sides will head to a purse bid.

"The committee of the World Boxing Organization have issued an official letter in which they ordered the teams behind champion Krzysztof Glowacki and mandatory challenger Oleksandr Usyk to negotiate the date, place and fight conditions. In the event that we are unable to reach a deal within 30 days, the WBO will announce a purse bid. The negotiation process has started. We offered the Pole's team the option of a date in July or August," said Usyk's promoter, K2 Ukraine CEO Alexander Krassyuk.

"Everyone in Ukraine is waiting for the event, and we will make every effort to ensure that this fight takes place in Ukraine." 

Yuri Tarantin covers boxing for Allboxing.ru