Ovill McKenzie to fight for IBF cruiserweight title

Ovill McKenzie has been handed a world title shot by the IBF after Yoan Pablo Hernandez was stripped of his cruiserweight crown.

Hernandez, who beat Steve Cunningham to win the strap in 2011, has been relieved of the title by the IBF after failing to make a defence in 13 months.

Interim champion Victor Ramirez has been promoted to full champion and the 31-year-old Argentine is scheduled to make his first defence against Derby-based McKenzie in Buenos Aires.

"It's just been made official. I will be fighting Victor Ramirez for the IBF world title on the 2nd of October in Argentina," confirmed McKenzie on his Twitter feed.

McKenzie (25-12-KO13) is the reigning British and Commonwealth cruiserweight champion and previously got his career back on track by winning the Prizefighter tournament in 2009. He went on to suffer two defeats to Tony Bellew.

Ramirez (22-2-KO17) previously held the WBO cruiserweight title but lost it in his first defence to Marco Huck in 2009.

Hernandez was originally due to make the fifth defence of the IBF title against Ramirez, but attempted to reschedule due to injury problems.

The IBF refused and the Germany-based Cuban, who boasts a record of 29-1-KO14, has now lost his crown outside the ring.

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