By Carlos Boogs
There are only a few days remaining before the World Boxing Organization stages a purse bid for the final middleweight eliminator between Avtandil Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KOs) and Tommy Langford (16-0, 5 KOs).
The winner of that fight will become the mandatory challenger to WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders, who's remained out of the ring since capturing the world title from Andy Lee last December.
The involved promoters, Lou DiBella for Khurtsidze and Frank Warren for Langford, have a few days to reach a deal before a purse bid takes place on June 22, with the minimum bid being $200,000.
Khurtsidze has won his last nine fights since dropping a decision to Hassan N'Dam in 2010. He was last in action in March when he came in on late notice and knocked out previously undefeated Antoine Douglas in what was an unexpected result.
Langford was also in the ring back in March, winning the vacant Commonwealth championship with a unanimous decision over Lewis Taylor.
Although Khurtsidze at 37-years-old is eleven years older, he is viewed as the favorite in the contest. Langford has yet to face any world level contender and his lack of power against the incoming, Tyson-like Russian slugger could prove to be a big problem in the ring.
Saunders' return is still up in the air. Warren, who also promotes the champion, would like to get him in the ring with unified world champion Gennady 'GGG' Golovkin if the two sides are able to reach an agreement on the money.
