Chris Eubank Jr vacates IBO world super-middleweight title as he moves down division – to leave two Brits in line for it
CHRIS EUBANK Jr has vacated his IBO world super-middleweight crown - leaving two Brits in line for a title shot.
Eubank is focusing on his middleweight campaign after beating Russian Matt Korobov to lift the WBA interim title in his first fight back down at that weight.
That sets up the No1 contender, Liverpudlian Rocky Fielding, and second-rated John Ryder, from London, to battle it out for the super-middleweight crown.
Ex-British title-holder Fielding, 32, lost his first defence of the WBA super-middleweight crown 12 months ago to Mexican legend Saul Alvarez last year.
And Ryder, 31, has held the WBA interim super-middleweight belt since May 2019.
'EXCITING FIGHT'
IBO President Ed Levine appeared to confirm the two experienced Brits are the main candidates for the title bout.
He said: “The IBO has made the decision that the vacant title will now be contested between the two leading available contenders with the preferences going to the intercontinental champion and suitably ranked regional champions.
"The whole point in winning those titles in the first place is to give those fighters the opportunities to one day fight for an IBO world title.
most read in boxing
“Therefore we hope to announce an exciting fight for the IBO world super middleweight title in the very near future that will feature two top contenders battling for the belt.”
And of outgoing champ Eubank Jr, Levine added: "We have been proud to have Chris Eubank Jr as our champion on two different occasions.
"He has represented the IBO in a fantastic way and we wish him all the best in his campaign down in the middleweight division."