Clock ticking for Kovalev vs Mchunu

The World Boxing Council has ordered a cruiserweight semifinal elimination bout between Sergey Kovalev and Thabiso Mchunu and the two camps have until February 24 to reach an agreement.

The WBC cruiserweight title is currently held by Ilunga Makabu, who will face former two-division champion Badou Jack, in a voluntary defense.
That fight will take place on February 26 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The winner will have to face mandatory challenger Noel Gevor Mikaelyan, followed by the winner of Kovalev-Mchunu as the second mandatory.

Kovalev (35-4-1, 29 KOs) enjoyed a successful cruiserweight debut in his most recent fight, when he outpointed undefeated Tervel Pulev over ten rounds on May 14 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.
Mchunu (23-6, 13 KOs), 34, has come up short twice in his title quest, although his most recent bout was close.