NO MENTION OF TAYLOR V BARANCHYK AS WBSS ANNOUNCE GLASGOW TICKET SALES

The World Boxing Super Series returns to Glasgow on the 18th of May with the semi final match ups of Josh Taylor vs Ivan Baranchyk and Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue vs Emmanuel Rodriguez.

Ivan Baranchyk the undefeated Belarussian, won the IBF Super Lightweight title by defeating Anthony Yigit in the quarter finals for the then vacant title. Since then rumours have suggested he wasn't happy with the WBSS and had in fact pulled out of facing Taylor.

WBSS supremo Kalle Sauerland came out to squash such rumours however did admit Baranchyk was unhappy having to fight Taylor in his back yard.

Speaking to World Boxing News at the end of February he said,

"Concerning Baranchyk, we have been aware that he is unhappy to travel to Glasgow. All other issues have been handled. However, he signed to the tournament and that means everyone may have to travel."

"Glasgow will 100% go ahead because the WBSS found this to be the most suitable venue after a very long search."

Sauerland also made it clear that if Baranchyk did pull out then he would face legal proceedings,

"He would very clearly be in breach of his agreement and there would be serious legal repercussions for himself and his promoters. It may even cause him to lose his belt."

"The tournament would choose from a number of suitable replacements on hand to replace him for the semi finals in Glasgow. However, we are in good dialogue with Dave McWater who manages him and I believe sees the bigger picture."

With the headline fight featuring a Scot fighting for a world title, you would imagine WBSS would be keen to highlight this fact when announcing the ticket sale. However they failed to mention Taylor or Baranchyk, leading to speculation that Baranchyk has indeed pulled out of the fight and tournament.

In the WBSS Twitter post, it read "Tickets for the Monster WBSS semi finals night on 18 May in Glasgow go on sale at noon next Thursday 4th April."

The same message was relayed on Facebook.

This message was immediately jumped on by fans asking was Baranchyk fighting or not?

So who is likely to replace Baranchyk should he drop out? Former world champion Viktor Postol was the back up fighter in the quarter finals in Glasgow in November, winning by points against Siar Ozgul. Postol was defeated by Josh Taylor in June of last year, which might make him unlikely to get the fight again.

There have been rumours spreading around Glasgow that former three weight world champion Ricky Burns will replace Baranchyk in an all Scottish clash.

This match up would make sense, sure there would be disappointment that there was no world title shot for Josh Taylor. However a fight between two of Scottish boxing's more popular fighters of recent times would generate a huge deal of interest alone and ticket sales would be good. Internationally the fight may not set the heather on fire though.

If this bout was made then Scotland could look forward to having one of their own in the WBSS final.

Tickets go on sale for the event on the 4th of April.

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