Kevin Lele Sadjo, a former European champion, has surprisingly emerged as the mandatory challenger for current champion Callum Simpson, despite Sadjo recently accepting terms for an IBF elimination bout.
The super-middleweight contender vacated his EBU title earlier this year. Callum Simpson (18-0, 13 KOs) subsequently claimed the vacant championship by securing a tenth-round stoppage victory over Ivan Zucco.
Simpson`s impressive win took place earlier this month at Oakwell Stadium in Barnsley. The 28-year-old overcame being knocked down twice in a thrilling contest before delivering a destructive finish.
Following the victory, Simpson`s immediate future was unclear. However, an update to the IBF rankings last week saw him climb to fifth position.
In contrast, Sadjo dropped eight places to 11th in the IBF rankings, potentially putting his anticipated elimination bout against Oleys Iglesias in jeopardy.
Sadjo and Iglesias had seemed set to compete for the IBF mandatory position later this year, with the sanctioning body confirming late last month that both fighters had agreed to the matchup.
Despite this, Callum Simpson`s manager, Kevin Maree, has stated that Sadjo is now the official EBU mandatory challenger at 168lbs.
Although the EBU website indicates that both parties are currently in negotiations, Maree clarified that discussions for a potential fight between Simpson and Sadjo have not yet commenced.
Regardless of the mandatory situation, the Barnsley fighter is entitled to a voluntary title defence. Detailed discussions about his next fight are expected once he returns from his holiday in Las Vegas.
The status of the potential IBF elimination bout between Iglesias and Sadjo remains uncertain.
