By Luke Furman
Promoter Yvon Michel of GYM, and super middleweight contender Adonis Stevenson, have not lost hope in their hunt for a shot at the IBF super middleweight title. Stevenson is the mandatory challenger to IBF champion Carl Froch, and the fight was very close to being made. But Stevenson's shot was placed on hold after Froch and Mikkel Kessler, the WBA's "regular" champion, reached an agreement for a unification rematch on May 25th in the UK.
Stevenson's promoter is moving for Stevenson to get authorization to take part in an IBF interim-title fight. Stevenson (19-1, 16 KOs) would fight the highest ranked contender - Edwin Rodriguez, Lucian Bute or Thomas Osthuizen - for the interim-title. The winner of Froch-Kessler would have to face Stevenson [provided he wins the interim fight] or else Stevenson would become the full IBF champion at 168.
Michel feels good about their chances to get the IBF's approval for the interim-title. If for whatever reason their request is denied, Michel wants the IBF to order the Froch-Kessler winner to face Stevenson within 90 days.
Luke Furman covers boxing for bokser.org
