The World Boxing Association Championships committee ordered an elimination bout between 140 lbs. Byelorussian Kiryl Relikh and Cuban Rances Barthelemy.

Relikh is number 1 rated contender of the division and has a record of 21-1, 19 KO’s. He was defeated on October 7, 2016 by Ricky Burns who is the current division champion. 

On his part, Barthelemy is the second 140 lbs. higher rated contender. The Cuban has an impeccable record of 25-0, 13 KO’s. He is very experienced boxer who has been world champion twice, both for the International Boxing Federation (IBF), first time in the super featherweight division and the second time in the lightweight division. 

The winner of the bout will be the mandatory challenger of the WBA super lightweight champion the Brit, Ricky Burns and will fight for the WBA-IBF unification with the Namibian Julius Indigno.