By Igor Lazorin, tass

According to Vladimir "Krasivyy" Hryunov, manager of Russian heavyweight contender Alexander Ustinov, a showdown with Fres Oquendo for the vacant "regular" title of the World Boxing Association (WBA) is possibly going to land on October 2 in Baku.

"We are discussing the Ustinov-Oquendo battle in Baku on October 2. Zab Judah's next fight is also being planned for there," Hyrunov said.

The WBA had initially ordered Oquendo and former world champion Shannon Briggs to face each other for the vacant title - and then the winner would have had to make a mandatory defense against Ustinov.

This plans were changed when the scheduled fight between Oquendo and Briggs was canceled after Briggs failed a pre-fight drug test, which was administered by VADA [Voluntary Anti-Doping Association]. Briggs' test showed as high level of increased testosterone. On Thursday, the sanctioning body suspended Briggs for six months.

As a result, Ustinov became the mandatory contender to fight with Oquendo for the open belt.

Ustinov has a record of 34 wins (25 by KO) and one defeat. On account of Oquendo is a tally of 37 wins (24 by KO) and eight defeats.

Because of injuries and legal issues, Oquendo has been out of the ring for over three years. He was last seen in the ring in July of 2014, when he lost a twelve round decision to Ruslan Chagaev. Through a legal arbitration, Oquendo was able to get an order that forced the WBA to grant him a shot at the "regular" belt.

Ustinov has not been that active either. He returned to the ring in May to score an easy knockout over Raphael Love, but it was his first bout since December of 2015. He's built up a win streak of seven fights since suffering the first and only loss of his career back in 2012 at the hands of Kubrat Pulev of Bulgaria.

The WBA's "super" champion at the weight is Anthony Joshua of the UK.