Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou takes place next week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but now a world title fight set for the card has reportedly been scrapped.
Unbeaten super welterweight contenders Israil Madrimov and Magomed Kurbanov were set to collide for the vacant WBA world super-welterweight title – in what was a late addition to the event.
It was one of several big fights on the Joshua vs. Ngannou show, including Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker, and Rey Vargas vs. Nick Ball.
As quickly as the Madrimov vs. Kurbanov fight was added, it appears to now be off though, due to an issue with Madrimov’s pre-fight medical scan, according to journalist Dan Rafael.
“Per sources, the Israil Madrimov-Magomed Kurbanov bout for the vacant WBA 154 title slated for the #JoshuaNgannou PPV on Friday in Riyadh is off.
“Madrimov has been ruled out due to an issue with a pre-fight medical scan conducted by the BBBofC, regulator of the event.”
The fight between Madrimov and Kurbanov was made on the condition that the winner would face former undisputed champion Jermell Charlo, who has been stripped of all four belts he acquired back in 2022.
Madrimov comes off a one-sided beatdown over American middleweight Raphael Igbokwe back in April last year, while Kurbanov fought Michel Soro in his last fight back in May, edging a split decision in Russia, where all of his professional bouts have taken place.
It is still yet to be officially confirmed that the fight is off, but it is hoped it may be re-arranged quickly.