Badou Jack to defend WBC cruiserweight belt to mandatory challenger Ryan Rozicki

Badou Jack to defend WBC crown to Ryan Rozicki

World Boxing Council cruiserweight champion Badou Jack is set to face mandatory challenger Ryan Rozicki.

The two sides have until February 4th to negotiate a deal, failing which a purse bid will be held that same day. The fight must take place within 60 days of a deal being reached.

Jack , 41, 28-3-3 (17 KOs), has been inactive since winning the title in February 2023, when he stopped Ilunga Makabu in twelve rounds in Saudi Arabia.

The Swedish-born, Dubai-based fighter had been named “champion in recess” later that year as he looked to move up in weight to challenge for a bridgeweight belt, with Noel Mikaeljan winning the vacant title in November 2023. Jack was reinstated as the full 200-pound champion at the WBC Convention held in Hamburg, Germany.

Three Lions Promotions, which promotes Rozicki, 20-1-1 (19 KOs), says it is already engaged in negotiations with the champion’s team.