WBA orders Madrimov vs Soro rematch

Madrimov finished Soro with late punches in their first meeting last December

Nearly three months after Israil Madrimov finished Michel Soro with punches after the bell in a WBA super welterweight eliminator, the sanctioning body has officially ordered them to square off in a rematch. The pair have 30 days to come to terms and avoid a purse bid.

They did not, however, elect to overturn the result to a No Contest. As a result, Esco and I remain officially tied in our 2021 prediction battle.

Madrimov (8-0, 6 KO) was up on two cards in a competitive fight when he hurt Soro (35-3-1, 24 KO) late in the ninth. Neither he nor the referee apparently heard the bell ring, as he was given free rein to tee off on the Frenchman and walk away with a TKO victory.

As annoying as this delay was, the timing kinda works out. Whoever wins will be in line for a shot at the winner of Jermell Charlo vs. Brian Castano 2 on May 14th, but WBO mandatory Tim Tszyu has first crack, and IBF mandatory Bakhram Murtazaliev is almost certainly next after that. It’ll be a while before this winner gets his shot, so a few extra months’ wait won’t make a huge difference.