Thursday 19 January 2017 00:01, UK
Badou Jack has relinquished his WBC super-middleweight title as he prepares to make the move up to light-heavyweight.
Jack had been told he would have to defend the belt against mandatory challenger Callum Smith following his thrilling draw with IBF champion James DeGale in New York on Sunday.
The 33-year-old stressed after the bout at the Barclays Center that he would rather fight WBC light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson than face DeGale in a super-middleweight rematch.
Jack did however offer to fight DeGale again at light-heavyweight, although the British fighter was immediately dismissive of the idea of having to relinquish his IBF strap.
Smith will now be offered the chance to face Anthony Dirrell for the vacant WBC belt in what will be the first world title fight of his career.
DeGale is expected to make the fourth defence of his IBF title against mandatory challenger Jose Uzcategui.
