The WBA has ordered the respective representatives of lightweights Michael Perez and Petr Petrov to begin negotiations for a 12-rounder to determine the division’s mandatory challenger. The parties have until Monday, August 1, to inform the sanctioning body of their willingness to comply. The WBA ranks Perez and Petrov, respectively, third and fourth. Anthony Crolla is the WBA World lightweight champ, scheduled to defend against Jorge Linares on September 24.

Twenty-six-year-old Perez, who fights out of Newark, is an eight-year pro (24-1-2, 11 KOs) who won the vacant WBA Fedelatin super lightweight title by beating Miguel Zuniga via unanimous decision in September 2013, a title he successfully defended twice. “The Artist” won the vacant WBO NABO lightweight title last July by knocking out Luis Sanchez in the sixth. He most recently fought this March, gaining a win over Martin Honorio by sixth-round technical decision. His sole loss came in January 2012, retired in the sixth by Omar Figueroa Jr. in his quest for the vacant WBO youth Intercontinental lightweight title. He drew against Andres Reyes in March 2009 and Lonnie Smith in March 2013.

Petrov, 33, a 16-year ring vet who fights out of Spain by way of Russia (37-4-2, 18 KOs), won the vacant WBA-NABA and interim WBO NABO lightweight titles by stopping Fernando Carcamo via eighth-round TKO in May 2014. “Zar” won the vacant NABF lightweight title in his most recent fight, this May, by retiring Marvin Quintero in the sixth. He hasn’t lost since April 2013, when he failed to wrest the WBC International lightweight title from undefeated Dejan Zlaticanin, who won by unanimous decision.

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.