By Rick Reeno
United States District Court Judge (District of New Jersey) William J. Martini has denied Wladimir Klitschko's application for preliminary injunctive relief against the International Boxing Federation and DaVarryl Williamson. Klitshcko filed the lawsuit in an effort to obtain mandatory contender status in the IBF rankings and to block Williamson from obtaining mandatory status.
DaVarryl Williamson will now be designated as the mandatory challenger to IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. There were negotiations held a few months ago to put together a Klitschko-Byrd in rematch, but the bout fell apart due to multiple disputes over where the fight would take place.