Tony Bellew must face Mairis Briedis if he beats BJ Flores, say WBC
Tuesday 30 August 2016 14:49, UK
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed the winner of Tony Bellew v BJ Flores must face mandatory challenger Mairis Briedis next.
WBC world cruiserweight king Bellew (27-2-1-KO17) will make the first defence of his crown against Flores (32-2-1-KO20) in Liverpool on October 15 - live on Sky Sports.
Latvia's unbeaten Briedis (20-0-KO17) moved into the mandatory spot in May with an impressive ninth-round stoppage of Olanrewaju Durodola and was quick to remind Bellew of his obligation when the spat with David Haye erupted.
Mairis Briedis is the mandatory challenger and he is set to fight the winner.
"Mairis Briedis is the mandatory challenger and he is set to fight the winner of Tony Bellew v BJ Flores," Sulaiman exclusively told World Boxing News. "We will not speculate on what may happen until that situation is presented.
"The ruling is very clear. Tony Bellew was allowed a voluntary against Flores and the winner must make the mandatory defense."
Bellew won the title with a momentous knockout victory over Ilunga Makabu at Goodison Park.
The Liverpudlian was swift to react to the news through social media. He said: "He'll be facing me!! I ain't afraid of no one.. Respect for Mairis though he's earned it the hard way like I did."
Sulaiman also revealed that one of Bellew's conquerors; WBC world light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson, is in talks to face mandatory challenger Eleider Alvarez.
