The four governing organizations responsible for overseeing boxing title bouts around the world announced in a joint statement that they won't sanction any bouts in Russia because of the invasion of Ukraine.
Two Russians have major titles. In December of last year, Bivol successfully defended his title against Umar Salamov. Bivol, a resident of Saint Petersburg, Russia, will fight on May 7.
Artur Beterbiev holds two light heavyweight titles. He is expected to meet Joe Smith Jr. in New York in June.
Boxers competing for minor titles and title eliminators are affected by this ruling. If the edict is not lifted, the March 26 card in Russia featuring Magomed Kurbanov against Patrick Teixeira would be impacted.
A week ago in Russia, Zaur Abdullaev scored a 12th-round knockout of Jorge Linares in a fight for a minor lightweight title.
The health minister of Ukraine said in a Facebook post that over 200 Ukrainians have died. The death toll includes 64 civilians.
The mayor of the capital of Ukraine said Thursday that he was taking up arms to defend his country. The brother of a Hall of Fame boxer enlisted in the reserve army in anticipation of the attack.
Oleksandr Usyk returned to his home in Ukraine on Thursday to be with his family. He will meet Anthony Joshua again in May or June. Alex Krassyuk, Usyk's promoter, told the Daily Mail he has no idea where Usyk will train for the title fight.
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