WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been ordered to defend his world title against Demetrius Andrade.
The fightersโ representatives have 10 days to come to an agreement.
โIf an accord is not reached within the time frame stated herein, a purse bid will be ordered pursuant to our WBO regulations of world championship contests,โ the WBO said.
โThe minimum acceptable bid for the WBO middleweight division is $200,000. Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid procedure at any time during the negotiation process.โ
Although his career has been blighted by inactivity, Andrade was a world champion at super-welterweight and will be a dangerous opponent for Saunders. Billy Joe had pulled out of a fight last month with Martin Murray although any hopes for a unification with Gennady Golovkin could not be brought to fruition after the Kazakh agreed to rematch Canelo Alvarez in September.
But Saunders stated, โReady to face Andrade [in] September, let’s get it on.โ His promoter, Frank Warren added, โHeโs not become world champion to give up his belt. Heโs never ducked a fight in his life and he never will.โ