By Rick Reeno

The looming super middleweight fight between Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) and Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) has momentarily derailed the incoming stampede for the WBC title.

Following his unanimous decision win over Carl Froch in December, Ward was nursing a hand injury. Because of the injury, the WBC removed the championship from Ward and made him the "champion in recess." At the same time, they ordered a fight between Anthony Dirrell (24-0, 21KOs) and Nikola Sjekloca (24-0, 7KOs) for the "vacant WBC title."

Before the two sides could begin any serious negotiations, Dirrell was involved in motorcycle accident last Friday. He will reportedly be out of action for several months.

Once Dirrell was removed from the equation, several contenders made their move to replace him against Sjekloca.

The likely contender to get that nod is number three ranked Adonis Stevenson (18-1, 15KOs).

However, Stevenson's promoter, Yvon Michel, advised BoxingScene.com that the WBC is no longer exploring a possible fight for the vacant title, for now, because Ward made a request to reinstate his full title status for a probable defense against Dawson, the WBC's champion at 175, on September 8th. Dawson would move down by seven pounds to take the fight.

"Andre Ward contacted the WBC to approve the fight with Dawson in September," Michel told BoxingScene.com. "I told them that Stevenson is available and he's ready to fight anyone."

Michel is hoping the WBC will possibly entertain a potential fight, involving Stevenson, for the vacant WBC "interim-title" - but the sanctioning body is trying to confirm the exact time frame for Anthony Dirrell's return before they make a decision.