The bidding for the World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight world championship bout between Thammanoon Niyomtrong and Hasanboy Dusmatov scheduled to take place on Monday has been called off after the latter applied for a leave of absence to participate in the Olympic Games. 

The Uzbek challenger and his team sent a formal request to the pioneering body to postpone the mandatory bout with the intention of taking part in the event to be held in Paris this year.

The Championships Committee studied the request from Dusmatov’s team and in view of the importance of their commitment, decided to approve it. Niyomtrong’s team agreed and in turn requested a voluntary defence, which was granted. 

The WBA will review the approval of the 105-pound champion’s opponent and subsequently order the mandatory when both opponents are available to make the fight.