The WBC confirms that it has removed Vanes Martirosyan from participating in the final elimination fight versus Erislandy Lara due to Mr. Martirosyan’s failure to agree to a bout date compliant with the WBC Rules & Regulations. The WBC will designate an alternative opponent to Mr. Lara in for the final elimination bout to determine the mandatory contender of the super welterweight division, fightnews.com reported.

Historically the WBC has continuously supported Mr. Martirosyan’s career and development. This is the third time that Mr. Martirosyan has refused to fight in a WBC-ordered elimination. The first two were against James Kirkland and Alfredo Angulo.

Golden Boy Promotions earned the right to promote the elimination bout with a bid of $410,000 against Top Rank’s $65,000, and set the bout’s date for February 23, 2013. After the WBC communicated to Mr. Martirosyan that the proposed bout date did not violate the WBC’s rules, and strongly recommended that he accept it, he failed to do so, claiming he would only fight on or after March the 1st. The WBC will update the status of this division in a near future.