Jai Opetaia's manager has slammed the WBC's conduct and tipped widespread legal action as his champion's messy quest for unification hit another hurdle.
Australia's unbeaten cruiserweight star appeared set to put his Ring Magazine title belt on the line against WBC champion Noel Mikaelian later this year.
But just hours after the German-Armenian called out Opetaia the WBC interjected, ordering him to instead fight WBO and WBA champion David Benavidez in a mandatory defence.
Opetaia was controversially stripped of his IBF title after debuting in March with rebel organisation Zuffa Boxing, the Dana White-led disruptor with its own world title belt not recognised by the traditional boxing bodies.
Manager and promoter Mick Francis on Wednesday criticised the WBC's unusual order for a fellow champion to be installed as a mandatory challenger.
