The WBC has finally addressed the rumor and today sent out a press release stating that Artem Levin was indeed out as he recovers from medical surgery on his knee May 19th. Stepping in to replace him will be fellow Russian Artem Vakhitov, who has a common foe with Joe Schilling in Simon Marcus. Marcus has beat Vakhitov twice, both times by decision.
Full press release and fight card of Battle for the Belts below.
ARTEM VAKHITOV REPLACES LEVIN FOR BATTLE FOR THE BELTS EVENT
Artem Vakhitov will replace his Russian country rival Artem Levin in the WBC MUAYTHAI Light Heavyweight Championship - one of seven world titles to be staged in the Battle For The Belts event in Bangkok on 9 June.
Levin underwent arthroscopy surgery on his left knee joint on 19 May and it was hoped that he would have a full recovery of the medial meniscus resection. While the post operative period showed no complications - after further consultations with his surgeon, management, promoter BEC Tero and the WBC - it was decided that for safety reasons Levin be withdrawn from his title defence.
Vakhitov, the 21-year-old sensation who lost on points to Simon Marcus in the Muay Thai Premier League has been in peak training and welcomed the opportunity to fight for the vacant title against the USA champion Joe Schilling.
Levin will travel to Bangkok for the historic seven world titles event that will be televised live across Thailand on Channel 9 and internationally by the IMG.
While extremely disappointed Levin, as the WBC champion in voluntary recess, said he was committed to winning back the prestigious WBC world title green belt that he considers is the ultimate achievement in professional Muay Thai.
Champions and challengers for the Battle For the Belts seven WBC world titles to be held at the Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani are as follows:
LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Jomtong Chuwattana (Thailand) Vs Yetkin Ozkul (Turkey)
SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Sakeddao Petchapayatai (Thailand) Vs Sofiane Derdega (France)
WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Big Ben Ch. Praram 6 (Thailand) Vs Fabio Pinca (France)
SUPER WELTERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Alejandro Asumu Osa (Spain) Vs Kem Sitsongpeenong (Thailand)
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Artem Vakhitov (Russia) Vs Joe Schilling (USA)
SUPER CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Steve McKinnon (Australia) Vs Frank Munoz (Holland)
HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Christian Bosch (Argentina) Vs Fabiano Cyclone (Japan)
Why does this claim that Vakhitov and Schilling are fighting for the "vacant" belt? Is Levin not the champ, with Marcus holding the interim title?
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