Chagaev Regains WBA Heavyweight Title, Oquendo Has Mandatory Rematch Clause
By Robert Brizel, Head RCM Boxing Correspondent
Ruslan ‘White Tyson’ Chagaey has regained the World Boxing Association world heavyweight title he held from 2007 to 2009. In the main event at Ahmat Arena in Grozny, Russia, Chagaev, 35, from Hamburg, Germany, scored a 12 round majority decision over fringe contender Fres Oquendo, Chicago, Illinois, to regain the title. Chagaev, age 35, now 33-2-1, 20 knockouts, has lost only in world title bouts to Alexander Povetkin and Wladimir Klitschko. For Oquendo, age 40, now 37-8, 24 knockouts, who has lost split decisions to James Toney and Oliver McCall, and previously had in world title bids against John Ruiz and Chris Byrd, there will be another day. Oquendo has a mandatory rematch clause requiring Chagaev to fight him again in 120 days, and rematch negotiations are forthcoming.
Whoever wins the rematch later this year will face some familiar names for the following World Boxing Association World Heavyweight title bout. Pennsylvania’s Travis Kauffman, who originally turned down the vacant title bout, is one possibility. Cuban Luis ‘King Kong’ Ortiz, ex-WBA champion Alexander Povetkin, the winner of Bryan Jennings versus Mike Perez, Alexander Ustinov, the winner of Tyson Fury versus Dereck Chisora II, a rematch with Jovo Pudar (who Chagaev decisioned in 12 before the WBA world title bout), Mark De Mori, and the winner of the WBA Inter-Continental bout between Lucas Browne and Andriy Rudenko coming up are the most likely names in the WBA world rankings.
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