Team Briedis are patiently waiting for the situation to be clarified in regards to an alleged Haye vs Bellew clash as moving up to heavyweights means ‘The Bomber would have to vacate his belt.
Bellew told WBN on Wednesday that his current first choice would be a fight against Lebedev or Gassiev for three 200 pound titles, although Siesta is hopeful the WBC put a block on the move.
“Should Bellew want to fight Lebedev or Gassiev it is possibly a good fight although I’m not sure if there’s enough demand amongst British public to see such affair,” Siesta exclusively told World Boxing News.
“Instead, I truly feel that there’s a growing interest to see Tony Bellew defending his belt against a real mandatory challenger. There’s a saying in boxing ” You’re not a real champion until you beat your mandatory” and in the case of Bellew that’s exactly it. Staying as mandatory before Bellew fought Flores, Mairis is now looking for a closure.
“The WBC have officially confirmed that regardless what Bellew is going to do next, Briedis will be fighting for the WBC World title in his next fight. So Tony’s suggestions regarding him fighting the winner of Lebedev vs Gassiev as apparently it has been prioritized over a mandatory defence, are slightly confusing.
“Matchroom have a time limit for early December, and after that, if no agreement reached it’s going to the purse bids. I personally don’t think that the winner of Lebedev vs Gassiev will be an easier fight for Bellew than Briedis. Neither I think it’ll be more financially viable.
“As far as the situation with Bellew is concerned there are only two options for him. One is to vacate the belt and fight whoever his wishes or two, fight Briedis – it’s as simple as that!”
