Several reports have surfaced that Oquendo is no longer participating in the vacant WBA title clash with former title holder Chagaev in Grozny, Russia, although Mendoza is unaware of anything formal on the matter.
‘The WBA has not received any official communication with any change in the challengers of the bout,” stated Mendoza, meaning on Friday night the original fight is still in place as far as the WBA are concerned.
Whether a further change will throw yet another spanner in the works remains to be seen, but former WBO title holder Shannon Briggs has already told WBN that he has accepted an offer to step in for the Sunday bout.
Briggs’ claimed acceptance may now hinge on Oquendo making the long trip to Europe as planned this weekend as the Terek Boxing promotion continues to be the subject of negative speculation.
At this point, Briggs may just be a standby incase Oquendo fails to show.
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