DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.—The World Boxing Association held meetings at their recent annual convention in Medellin, Colombia, where they ordered an interim heavyweight championship between WBA No. 1-ranked mandatory challenger Kali Meehan and former WBA heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev.
Meehan earned the WBA No. 1 position in October 2007 by scoring a sixth-round technical knockout over DaVarryl Williamson at Madison Square Garden, and he has been patiently waiting to fight for the WBA heavyweight championship ever since.
“I am grateful Don King has maintained his faith in me, and I will become the WBA interim heavyweight champion,” Meehan said. “I look forward to meeting and defeating Ruslan Chagaev and then facing the winner of David Haye versus John Ruiz.”
The WBA confirmed that the winner of Meehan-Chagaev will face the winner of the match between newly crowned WBA heavyweight champion David Haye and WBA heavyweight mandatory challenger John Ruiz.
Meehan’s promoter, Don King, said he’s relieved Meehan will finally get the match he was promised.
“Kali has been very loyal and committed to the WBA and their problems while waiting over two years to appear in the world championship match he earned,” King said. “He understood their problems and has been patient, going along with them to keep the WBA in good standing.”
“The WBA is committed to Kali Meehan fighting for their interim heavyweight championship and for the winner of this match to become mandatory challenger for their most prestigious crown, the WBA heavyweight championship.
“Kali will have Australia and New Zealand behind him when he steps into the ring.”
