Initial dates for both contests were set as November 14, but with three out of the four participants set to fight in the coming weeks, deadlines have now been extended by one and two weeks respectively.
Of the competitors, Groves engages in a battle with Eduard Gutknecht this weekend, whilst Kubrat Pulev is pitted against former WBC title holder Samuel Peter on December 3. One week later, Smith is pencilled in to defend his British title against Luke Blackledge meaning the EBU face a delay to get both contests off the ground.
The most likely scenario could be Smith vacating his title due to the Liverpool man being mandatory challenger to the winner of Badou Jack v James DeGale which sees two world titles on the line. ‘Mundo’ has been informed by the WBC that’s he’s next for their 168 pound belt once a winner is declared in New York on January 14.
Pulev, on the other hand, may do likewise as the current top challenger to world heavyweight ruler Anthony Joshua.
That would leave Groves, and similarly Wach, in position to fight for the vacant championships in 2017 as the EBU struggle to nail down two of the higher profile bouts on their current roster of preferred match-ups.
