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By Igor Lazorin, tass
Vladimir Hryunov, manager of the mandatory challenger to the "regular" World Boxing Association heavyweight title - Alexander Ustinov of Russia - says the WBA is expected to issue an order this week - to resolve the confusion with the "regular" belt.
The sanctioning body had previously ordered Shannon Briggs and Fres Oquendo to square off for the vacant WBA "regular" belt - with the winner having to make an immediate mandatory defense against Ustinov.
Briggs-Oquendo was expected to take place two weeks ago in Florida, but it was canceled after Briggs failed a random drug test issued by VADA. A urine sample submitted by 45-year-old Briggs showed dramatically elevated levels of testosterone.
Last month, Ustinov returned to the ring after a long layoff and demolished Brazilian Raphael Zumbano Love by TKO in the first round of a contest scheduled for ten. The contest took place in Bolton as part of a Frank Warren card that was televised on BoxNation in the UK.
The Brazilian, within the first minute, was knocked down, and then he continued to get battered until the referee decided to stop the fight, awarding the early victory to Ustinov.
The last time the 40-year-old Ustinov stepped into the ring in December 2015, when he won against German boxer Konstantin Airich by knockout in the fifth round.
Because of the drug test failure, Hryunov has filed a request with the WBA to have Ustinov replace Briggs in the title fight with Oquendo.
Briggs also filed documents, appealing the WBA's decision to remove him from the bout.
"We are waiting for WBA's resolution on this matter, it should get issued during the week. Briggs' side has tried to appeal against the decision (to cancel the title fight). They made a request to the WBA to show mercy, so Briggs could take part in the fight (with Oquendo)," Hryunov said.
