By Luke Furman
According to World Boxing Organization President Paco Varcacel, WBO 154-pound champion Dememtrius Andrade passed on the opportunity to face Matt Korobov for the vacant WBO middleweight crown, which Peter Quillin vacated several weeks ago.
After Quillin vacated, it was believed that Korbov (24-0, 14KOs) would face Billy Joe Saunders (20-0, 11KOs) for the WBO title. But then Andrade put in a request with the WBO, which they approved, to face Korobov for the belt.
Andrade has since informed the WBO that he plans to stay at 154 to defend his title. Saunders was being lined up for a domestic brawl with Chris Eubank Jr. - but Eubank never signed the contract.
Saunders' promoter Frank Warren had previously told BoxingScene.com that he was very interested in placing Saunders-Korobov in the co-featured slot to the rematch between Tyson Fury and Dereck Chisora, which takes place on November 29th from ExCel Arena in London
"[Andrade] will defend the WBO 154-pound title. Looks like Korobov-Saunders will take place in England for the vacant 160-pound belt," Varcacel stated.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org.
