Boxing’s contentious eighteenth weight division will debut on June 18 when old rivals Oscar Rivas and Bryant Jennings collide for the vacant WBC bridgerweight title at a venue to be determined in Montreal.
Canada-based Colombian Rivas previously stopped American Jennings in the 12th round in January 2019, but they will resume hostilities for the WBC’s new world title for fighters weighing between 200-224lbs.
“After Oscar’s victory on March 16 [vs Sylvera Louis, WRTD3], I mentioned that the fight against Jennings was shaking up the sleeve,” Rivas’ promoter Yvon Michel told journalist Mathieu Boulay of The Montreal Journal.
“Based on the lack of interest from the Jennings camp, we spoke with [South African] Kevin Lerena’s promoter, Rodney Berman. Lerena is ranked No. 2 [contender at Bridgerweight]. The WBC even sanctioned the fight. However, the Jennings clan, Top Rank and the ESPN network returned to the table to strike a deal.
“I received the signed contract from Jennings in the last few hours. As for Rivas, he will sign it on Friday at our office. It will finalise everything.”
Rivas’ (27-1, 19 KOs) sole loss came against Dillian Whyte on the cards in London in July 2019. Jennings (24-4, 14 KOs) was last seen losing a 12-round decision to Joe Joyce that same month in the UK.