The WBA has ordered four fights to make way for a clear heavyweight mandatory
The WBA has had issues with their mandatory situation for years! Now, it seems they want to clear a path to consolidate yet again. In the aftermath of all the confusion, the governing sanctioning body ordered four heavyweight fights in an attempt to create some clarity.
FIRST ORDERED FIGHT
WBA regular champion Manuel Charr (31-4, 17KO) will make his first defense against #3 Fres Oquendo (37-8, 24KO). This fight is long overdue as it was originally scheduled in September of 2018. However, a failed drug test by Charr, followed by a six month suspension, caused the postponement.
Oquendo has had a long ongoing issue with the WBA as far back as 2014; following the controversial loss to now retired Ruslan Chagaev. He had a number of scheduled bouts over the years involving the regular title, including a bour with Shannon Briggs. Being no stranger to disappointment, Oquendo would have that fight cancelled for a failed PED test on his opponents behalf as well.
SECOND ORDERED FIGHT
Interim Champion and #1 contender Trevor Bryan (20-0, 14KO) will make a second title defense against #2 Jarrell Miller (23-0-1, 20KO). Bryan (32), is unknown to the boxing community and is a very solid fighter with good boxing skills that could get an upset. The New York native likes to fight on the outside off the jab and judges distance well. However, his defense and footwork are seriously lacking.
Regardless, this will be the toughest test of his professional career! He has never faced anyone close in skill-set to Miller.
The aforementioned, is one of the top heavyweights in boxing; weighing almost 300 pounds. He has a motor and his work rate overwhelms opponents. The Brooklyn fighter has faced far better opponents, including former world champion challengers like Gerald Washington and Johann Duhaupas. Additionally, he defeated two-division champion Tomasz Adamek in 2018.
His last fight ended in an impressive knockout victory over undefeated Bogdan Dinu, and the capturing of the interim NABA heavyweight title.
This is a very interesting fight that is worth the attention of the boxing community. However, it’s uncertain if all of these fights actually take place.
Also, the idea that Miller could face unified champion Anthony Joshua is still alive as expressed by Eddie Hearn recently. The WBA is trying to do the right thing, but is this the answer? Only time will tell.
By: Garrisson Bland
