By Alexey Sukachev

According to “World of Boxing”, TBRB #8 ranked cruiserweight Rakhim Chakhkiev (22-1, 17 KOs) will now face American Junior Anthony Wright (13-0-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant IBO 200lb title on May 22 as a part of the next WOB boxing card to be held in Moscow, Russia.

It was previously announced that the 32-year old 2008 Beijing heavyweight gold medalist Chakhkiev would battle Italian Mirko Larghetti (22-1, 14 KOs) for the title. No reason of the change has yet been announced.

WBC/IBF #5, WBO #6 and WBA #11 rated cruiserweight Chakhkiev is 6-0, 5 KOs, since being stopped by Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in his WBC title attempt in one of the best thrillers of 2013. As for Wright, 28, he is not ranked in top-15 by major sanctioning bodies. His best result is a draw with the WBC #15 rated contender Stivens Bujaj (12-0 at the time) in May 2014.

Chakhkiev vs. Wright will be part of a six-bout card, which will be headlined by Alexander Povetkin, who is facing Ismaikel (“Mike”) Perez in a major heavyweight match-up. Also on the card WBC champion Grigory Drozd is hoped to defend his title against an opponent still to be confirmed.