Former European super-middleweight champion Kevin Lele Sadjo has emerged as the mandatory challenger for the current titleholder, Callum Simpson. This development comes despite Sadjo having accepted an IBF elimination bout just last month.
Sadjo vacated the EBU title earlier this year, which paved the way for Simpson, boasting a record of 18 wins and 0 losses with 13 knockouts, to claim the belt. Simpson secured the vacant title with a dramatic tenth-round stoppage victory over Ivan Zucco.
The impressive win took place earlier this month at Oakwell Stadium, the home of Barnsley Football Club. In a hard-fought contest, the 28-year-old Simpson overcame two knockdowns before ultimately stopping Zucco in destructive fashion.
Following this victory, the immediate direction for Simpson`s career was uncertain. However, recent updates saw him climb to fifth place in the IBF rankings last week.
Kevin Lele Sadjo, conversely, has fallen significantly in the IBF rankings, dropping eight spots to 11th. This ranking change potentially puts his planned IBF elimination contest against Oleys Iglesias in doubt.
The IBF had confirmed towards the end of the previous month that both Sadjo and Iglesias had accepted the terms to fight for the mandatory position within their ranking system.
Curiously, Kevin Maree, who manages Callum Simpson, has stated that Sadjo is now confirmed as the mandatory challenger for Simpson`s EBU super-middleweight title.
While the EBU website indicates that negotiations are underway between the relevant parties, Maree has clarified that formal talks regarding a potential fight between Simpson and Sadjo have not yet commenced.
Regardless of the mandatory situation, the Barnsley fighter is eligible for a voluntary defence of his European title. Discussions about this defence are expected to begin once Simpson returns from his current trip to Las Vegas.
The situation regarding a possible elimination bout between Iglesias and Sadjo within the IBF remains uncertain.
