Wednesday 17 August 2016 18:48, UK
The WBC have ordered Alexander Povetkin to face their former champion Bermane Stiverne for the interim title.
Russia's Povetkin (30-1-KO22) had been due to challenge WBC world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder in Moscow only to fail a drugs test in the build-up. He was subsequently suspended.
However, with Wilder having undergone hand surgery in the wake of his recent defence against Chris Arreola, the governing body have decided to match 36-year-old Povetkin with Stiverne (25-2-1-KO21).
Negotiations for the fight can continue up until September 16, at which point the event would go to purse bids.
Haiti-born Stiverne, who had been considered a potential second challenger to Anthony Joshua's IBF world title, lost the crown with a unanimous points defeat to Wilder (37-0-KO36) in January 2015.
Wilder is targeting January for his comeback bout, meaning the winner of Povetkin v Stiverne could find themselves challenging for the full version of the title immediately.
