The Ivan Baranchyk/World Boxing Super Series saga just got another twist.
Less than 24 hours after ESPN first reported that Baranchyk, the IBF junior welterweight champion, would be leaving the global tournament, the WBSS announced that he will fight Josh Taylor in the 140-pound semifinals. The fight is set to take place at the SSE Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland on May 18.
The news of Baranchyk leaving came as he and manager Dave McWater were unhappy over late payments and lack of communication on when he would fight next. The tournament was originally slated to have its semifinals contested in early 2019, but aside from the fight between Baranchyk and Taylor, no other semifinal bout across the bantamweight, junior welterweight and cruiserweight tournaments were announced.
Tournament organizers Comosa AG released a statement on Twitter that states the following:
WBSS has built in one year a huge brand in the boxing world and attracted the best talent to its series and is committed to bringing Season 2 to the next level.
Rest assured that WBSS boxing contracts are watertight and WBSS is determined to enforce any failure to comply wherever and whenever it occurs and whatever it takes.
This directed not only to all fighters but also to any all promoters, managers and agents as well as to third parties of any kind and wherever they are that attempt to tortiously interfere with our agreements or the running of the tournament.
Comosa AG Statement:#WBSS2 -- #AliTrophy pic.twitter.com/my4F35vPyl
— World Boxing Super Series (@WBSuperSeries) January 31, 2019
Baranchyk joined the tournament with the condition that he'd be paired off against Anthony Yigit in the quarterfinals to fight for the then-vacant IBF title. The two fought in New Orleans this past October with Baranchyk picking up the win.
Taylor won his quarterfinal fight last November when he scored a seventh-round TKO win over Ryan Martin. The other semifinal bout in the World Boxing Super Series junior welterweight tournament is Regis Prograis vs. Kiryl Relikh for the WBA title.
