Hamzah Sheeraz has been ordered to defend his WBO super middleweight world title against former 160 pound champion, Janibek Alimkhanuly.
Sheeraz and Janibek have been given 20 days to reach a deal otherwise a purse bid will be called.
Sheeraz won the vacant title with a second round blowout of Alem Begic in May, before edging past Simon Zachenhuber by majority decision last month.
The Brit faced off with Jacob Bank in the ring afterwards and was expected to face the unbeaten Dane next.
However, the WBO has placed Alimkhanuly as the mandatory challenger.
“The Committee nearby designates Janibek Alimkhanuly as the mandatory challenger for the WBO super middleweight world championship and consequently as the mandatory challenger to current WBO super middleweight world champion Hamzah Sheeraz,” the WBO said in a letter to all parties.
“Team Janibek Alimkhanuly and Team Hamzah Sheeraz are hereby ordered to commence negotiations for the mandatory championship contest.
“The parties shall have 20 days from the issuance of this resolution to reach and execute mutually acceptable terms.
“In the event the parties fail to reach an agreement within such period, the WBO shall proceed to a purse bid proceeding in accordance with the applicable WBO rules and regulations.
“The committee makes this determination with full respect for Mr Bank and his team and in recognition of the legitimate accomplishments of both fighters.”
Alimkhanuly hasn’t fought since last April, defending his then-WBO and IBF middleweight world titles with a fifth round stoppage of Anauel Ngamissengue.
The unbeaten Kazakh was was scheduled to face Erislandy Lara in a unification in December, but the bout was cancelled after he failed a drugs test.
The 33-year-old was handed a one-year suspension from the WBO and stripped of his title and the IBF followed suit by stripping him of their belt.
Alimkhanuly had his suspension lifted by the WBO in July and will now look to become a two-time world champion in his first fight at super middleweight.
