By Steve Kim

A press release was sent out on Tuesday morning formally announcing the match-up between Tim Bradley and Brandon Rios on November 7th at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The contest was clearly billed as a fight for Bradley's WBO welterweight title.

On the night of June 27th at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, Bradley defeated Jesse Vargas for what was then the 'interim' title and then later Bradley was upgraded to full championship status by the WBO after Floyd Mayweather vacated the belt.

But the WBO's top rated welterweight, Sadam Ali, and Golden Boy Promotions believe that they have a rightful claim to fight for this title next."It's in the WBO's hands," said the V.P. of Golden Boy, Eric Gomez on Tuesday morning.

"We went to the WBO and said,'Look, we want a purse bid or make a decision and decide what's going to happen. It's in their hands."

The undefeated Ali (22-0, 13 KO's), who is coming off a victory over Francisco Santana on April 25th has made it clear he will not be stepping aside.

"He wants to hold his position as the mandatory to the title," confirmed Gomez, who added,"and we respect that and we're going to back him up."

Bob Arum, who's company Top Rank is promoting Bradley-Rios, told BoxingScene.com that in regards to Ali,"He will have that position in ten months to do that fight. So this fight can go ahead but  then probably because the ten months will be coming up, if the winner (of Bradley-Rios) wants to keep his title, would have to fight (Ali)."

It's Arum's belief that while Ali is the number one ranked challenger, he isn't the mandatory, just yet.

"He would be entitled to fight the mandatory when the mandatory becomes due," stated Arum, who says he has spoken to the president of the WBO, Paco Valcarcel."Yeah, I talked to Paco about it, he's talking to the Ali people, now."

A couple of days ago, Valcarcel tweeted out: - Paco Valcárcel, Esq. ‏@PacoValcarcel  Sep 7
WBO hasn't sanctioned @Timbradleyjr-@Brandon_Rios1 and won't until an agreement is reached with @GoldenBoyBoxing (@realworldkidali promoter)