The World Boxing Association's Championships Committee has ordered a mandatory fight between WBA "regular" welterweight champion Alexander Besputin of Russia and the number one ranked contender, Cuba's Yordenis Ugas.
Besputin (14-0, 9 KOs), who is promoted by Top Rank, captured the vacant belt this past Saturday night in Monaco, with a twelve round unanimous decision win over unbeaten countryman Radzhab Butaev.
The belt became vacant back in July, when Manny Pacquiao (who had the "regular" title) won a twelve round decision over Keith Thurman, who had the WBA's "super" title at welterweight. Pacquiao still holds the WBA's "super" title at the weight.
Ugas (24-4, 11KOs) lost what some felt was a razor close fight with WBC world champion Shawn Porter in March.
He came back in July and dominated former world champion Omar Figueroa over twelve rounds, on the Pacquiao-Thurman undercard at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Ugas has been waiting for a mandatory crack at a world title - and now has Besputin on his plate.
The fight could easily head to a purse bid, as Ugas is handled by Premier Boxing Champions, who have content deals with Fox Sports and Showtime. Butaev's promoter Top Rank has an exclusive content deal with ESPN.
