The World Boxing Super Series has exclusively spoken to WBN following rumors the format may be in danger of incompletion.
Several unfounded reports on Wednesday evening into Thursday had stated super-lightweight Ivan Baranchyk had pulled out.
The IBF champion was said to have been unhappy with the time scale of the tournament. Other members of the competition were also set to follow, according to the gossip.
Some media outlets even released information into the public domain, stemming directly from the hearsay.
Any notion of those being true has now been fully denied and frankly put to bed by the WBSS.
“WBSS has built-in one year a huge brand in the boxing world. We have attracted the best talent to the series. We are committed to bringing Season 2 to the next level,” a WBSS spokesperson exclusively told World Boxing News.
On the Baranchyk stories, they added: “Rest assured that WBSS boxing contracts are watertight. The WBSS is determined to enforce any failure to comply wherever and whenever it occurs.
“We will do this with whatever it takes. This is directed not only to all fighters but also to any promoters, managers, and agents. As well as to third parties of any kind.
“We will take the necessary measures wherever and whenever any attempts are made to interfere with our agreements tortiously. Or, in fact, the running of the tournament.”
The Baranchyk situation is just one of several falsehoods which have been swirling around the WBSS into Season 2.
Season 1 became a huge success due to the crowning of two great winners of the Ali Trophy (Usyk and Smith). On the back of this, WBSS bosses were able to secure three weight classes for the return in 2018.
Season 2 is scheduled to conclude by the fall of 2019, with Super-lightweight, Cruiserweight, and Bantamweight finals to follow the forthcoming semi-final announcements.
On Thursday, just a short time after the Baranchyk rumors his fever pitch, confirmation of his next fight – which had been worked on for some time prior – was made official.
As a result, Josh Taylor gets the home advantage as the pair square-off in Glasgow on May 18. The rest of the final four encounters will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
INFO
Tickets for the hotly-anticipated semi-final will soon go on sale. Fans are encouraged to sign-up for Ticket Alerts to receive an email reminder.
Fans will be informed when tickets can be purchased.
All dates and venues for the sensational Season 2 semi-finals will be announced shortly.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the WBSS semi-finals LIVE on DAZN, the global sports streaming platform.
Furthermore, you can sign up for a one-month free trial. Fans can visit DAZN.com or download the DAZN app to their preferred connected device.
WBSS Season 2 Semi-Finals:
Bantamweight
Nonito Donaire vs Zolani Tete
Naoya Inoue vs Emmanuel Rodriguez
Super-Lightweight
Regis Prograis vs Kiryl Relikh
Josh Taylor vs. Ivan Baranchyk
Cruiserweight
Mairis Briedis vs Krzysztof Glowacki
Yunier Dorticos vs Andrew Tabiti
