WBO middleweight champion Billy Joe Saunders has been ordered to defend his world title against Demetrius Andrade.
The fighters’ representatives have 10 days to come to an agreement.
“If 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,” the WBO said.
“The 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.”
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, “Ready to face Andrade [in] September, let’s get it on.” His promoter, Frank Warren added, “He’s not become world champion to give up his belt. He’s never ducked a fight in his life and he never will.”
