The World Boxing Association Championships Committee made official several announcements related to the 168-pound division, regarding its super champion Andre Ward, its regular champion, Carl Foch and the interim champion of the division Fedor Chudinov,

Ward (27-0, 14 KO) received the approval of special permit for a non-title fight with Paul Smith.

Also, the WBA Championships Committee withdrew champion recognition of its 168-pound champion Carl Froch due to the absence of defenses by the fighter.

The interim champion, Russian Fedor Chudinov (12-0, 10 KO) and the former world titlist Felix Sturm (39-4-3, 18 KO) will fight for the vacant title on May 9, 2015 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Froch will be the mandatory challenger for Ward after his fight against Smith. Should Ward lose against Smith, he will lose recognition as a super champion.