By Alexey Sukachev

Former WBC cruiserweight champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (49-3-1, 35 KOs) was forced to withdraw from his fight against reigning champion Grigory Drozd (39-1, 27 KOs) due to a respiratory infection. Team Drozd is now looking for an emergency substitute to save the defence of the green belt, originally scheduled to take place on may 22 in Moscow, Russia.

The news was first posted by Drozd himslef via his Facebook account. "The contract is signed. Now we're awaiting official papers from the Polish side", added Drozd. 

"Krzysztof fell ill ten days ago", confirmed his coach Fiodor Lapin. "A doctor (prescribed) #4 rated Wlodarczyk to stay in bed and to use antibiotics. We thought we could fight through but when Krzysztof tried to do some gym work he felt very week. It would have been highly disrespectful to the champion to fight him in such condition. Had it occurred a bit earlier, we would have been able to recover".

Drozd has beaten Wlodarczyk in convincing fashion in September 2014 to seize his title. The rematch should have been a part of a nicely packed card, which can now reduce to just a single headliner: a heavyweight macth-up between Alexander Povetkin and Mike Perez.

A quick look into latest WBC 200lb ranks, meanwhile will immediately exclude the following options: #1 Thabiso Mchunu, who is fighting #3 Ilunga Makabu in the WBC eliminator this week, #2 Dmitry Kudryashov and #5 Rakhim Chakhkiev, who are both promoted by the same promoter with Drozd, #9 Mirko Larghetti, who is fighting Chakhkiev for a vacant IBO title on the same card. 

Some others aren't like as well. #11 Mateusz Masternak, who is set to fight on June 6 iin South Africa, has already been beaten by Drozd. #14 Olexander Usyk is highly unlikely due to political tensions between Russia and Ukraine, which can also be applied to #8 Dmytro Kucher. #7 Murat Gassievm Drozd's compatriot has just fought in April.

The other highest ranked fighters in the WBC rankings at 200lb are: #6 Oluwarenju Durodola (19-2, 17 KOs), #10 Yunier Dorticos (18-0, 17 KOs), #12 BJ Flores (31-1-1, 20 KOs), #13 Ovil McKenzie (24-12, 12 KOs) and #15 Stivens Bujaj (13-0-1, 9 KOs).