The IBF has granted formal sanction approval for the IBF Light Heavyweight Voluntary Eliminator fight for the #1 position between #4, Sergey Kovalev and #5, Cornelius White.
The winner will become #1 but will not be the mandatory challenger. Karo Murat is the current mandatory challenger and has been ordered to fight Champion Bernard Hopkins. Once the Hopkins – Murat fight occurs, the winner of Kovalev – White will become the next mandatory challenger for the winner.
Hopkins vs. Murat is currently slated for July 13.
The Kovalev – White 12-round bout is part of a blockbuster triple-header that will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network Fight Night Friday, June 14th at Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, beginning 8PM ET.
The main event features a 10-round heavyweight fight between Bryant Jennings and Andrey Fedosov. The triple header rounds out with a 10 round welterweight battle between Ronald Cruz and Jamie Hererra.
The Jennnings-Fedosov, Kovalev-White and Cruz-Herrera fights top a seven-bout card at the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem. Doors open at 6.30pm ET.