Usyk vs Lebedev Purse bid

[oogiebe]

Boxing Scene: The first step has been taken towards paring down Oleksandr Usyk’s stranglehold on the cruiserweight division.

The 2018 Fighter of the Year and reigning World cruiserweight champion will likely begin the process of relinquishing his collection of titles by as soon as the end of the month. Usyk was ordered by the World Boxing Association (WBA) to make a mandatory title defense versus “Champion in Recess” Denis Lebedev, with the bout now heading to a purse bid hearing.

According to a statement, “The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee has scheduled the auction for the fight between the Super Cruiserweight Champion Oleksandr Usyk and challenger Denis Lebedev next Thursday, March 28th, at the offices of the Ocean Business Plaza, the Aquilino de la Guardia Avenue, in Panama City.”


Looks like a means to opening up the CW titles, as well as moving Usyk forward into HW.

[ValMar]

I can imagine Lebedev as Usyk's next opponent, but it should be at HW.

[oogiebe]

I can imagine Lebedev as Usyk's next opponent, but it should be at HW.

Lebedev won't be Usyk's next opponent at CW or HW. The WBA is going through the motions to let Usyk give up the CW belt and open the door for the WBA to get a new champ. I'm sure the other sanctioning bodies will follow suit. It's all just mechanics.

[SenorPipino]

Looks like Lebedev will be fighting for a vacant title by this summer.

[ValMar]

I can imagine Lebedev as Usyk's next opponent, but it should be at HW.

Lebedev won't be Usyk's next opponent at CW or HW. The WBA is going through the motions to let Usyk give up the CW belt and open the door for the WBA to get a new champ. I'm sure the other sanctioning bodies will follow suit. It's all just mechanics.

I understand, of course, but Usyk has to face a decent opponent very soon.

[oogiebe]

I can imagine Lebedev as Usyk's next opponent, but it should be at HW.

Lebedev won't be Usyk's next opponent at CW or HW. The WBA is going through the motions to let Usyk give up the CW belt and open the door for the WBA to get a new champ. I'm sure the other sanctioning bodies will follow suit. It's all just mechanics.

I understand, of course, but Usyk has to face a decent opponent very soon.

He's already scheduled to make his HW debut, just no opponent! lol

[ValMar]

I can imagine Lebedev as Usyk's next opponent, but it should be at HW.

Lebedev won't be Usyk's next opponent at CW or HW. The WBA is going through the motions to let Usyk give up the CW belt and open the door for the WBA to get a new champ. I'm sure the other sanctioning bodies will follow suit. It's all just mechanics.

I understand, of course, but Usyk has to face a decent opponent very soon.

He's already scheduled to make his HW debut, just no opponent! lol

Sad...