WBC cruiserweight champion Badou Jack has been ordered to face necessary challenger Ryan Rozicki.
The 2 sides could have till February 4 to barter a deal, at which level a handbag bid will happen that very same day, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed to BoxingScene. The struggle should happen inside 60 days of a deal being reached.
The 41-year-old Jack, 28-3-3 (17 KOs) has been inactive since profitable the title in February of 2023, when he stopped Ilunga Makabu in twelve rounds in Saudi Arabia. The Sweden born, Dubai resident had been named “champion-in-recess” later that yr as he sought to maneuver up in weight to problem for a bridgerweight belt, with Noel Mikaeljan profitable the vacant title in November of 2023. Jack was reinstated as full 200lb champion on the WBC Conference final month in Hamburg, Germany after Mikaelian’s protection towards Rozicki, scheduled for final September in Miami, was postponed a number of instances.
Three Lions Promotions, which promotes Rozicki, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), says they despatched a proposal to advertise the Jack-Rozicki struggle in Canada.
“We’re ready to listen to their counteroffer,” stated Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions in a press launch. “Boxing has had an enormous resurgence in Canada and Ryan is main the way in which. He is likely one of the most enjoyable and hardest hitters in boxing, undoubtedly within the cruiserweight division. He needs the inexperienced WBC belt and, finally, to unify the division. Ryan will struggle Jack wherever for the belt.”
Rozicki, 29, is coming off a majority draw final month with Yamil Alberto Peralta for the WBC interim cruiserweight title. Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia however now primarily based in Hamilton, Ontario, Rozicki has fought all of his skilled fights in Canada. Rozicki has been unbeaten in his final eight fights since dropping a unanimous resolution in 2021 to Oscar Rivas.
Jack, who had beforehand received world titles at tremendous middleweight and lightweight heavyweight, signaled that he has a title protection coming quickly, posting a video of himself engaged on the double finish bag on Monday afternoon with the caption “Combat date coming quickly.”
Jack had referred to as for a unification bout with IBF champion Jai Opetaia on the WBC conference, and says he has been holding in form within the fitness center.
“I’ve been ready for like a year-and-a-half to get again into the ring. Boxing politics has stored me away, however I’ve been within the fitness center. I’ve been prepared, I’ve been ready,” stated Badou in an interview with BoxingScene final month.
Rozicki’s promoter says he likes their probabilities of pulling off the victory.
“We respect Jack, and I don’t wish to sound disrespectful however he’s over 40 and has been comparatively inactive for 2 years,” stated Otter.
“He brings quite a lot of expertise and respect into the ring, however he’s going to be preventing a younger buck with energy. Jack goes to be in a world of hassle and, actually, I don’t assume he’ll get previous the primary few rounds.”
