The European Boxing Union have ordered Jordy Weiss to defend his EBU welterweight title against former champion, David Avanesyan. Purse bids are scheduled to be opened on Monday May 6 unless a deal can be agreed beforehand. 

Former WBA welterweight champion, Avanesyan, 30-4-1 (18 KOs), first won the European title back in 2019 when he travelled to Bilbao and ripped the belt away from the in-form and unbeaten home favourite Kerman Lejarraga in nine exciting rounds. The Armenian made five defenses and established a reputation as a ruthless, high quality champion. 

Avanesyan eventually vacated the EBU title ahead of his WBO welterweight title fight with Terence Crawford which took place back in December 2022 . The Armenian gave a decent account of himself in Omaha before the pound-for-pound superstar showed his class and brought matters to a conclusive finish in the sixth round. 

Weiss, 32-0-1 (3 KOs), boxed Spain’s Jon Miguez for the vacant belt the following April but had to settle for a split draw. The following October he won the prestigious title by outpointing Meriton Karaxha and has since made one successful defence. 

Avanesyan has boxed only once since the defeat to Crawford, stopping Serge Ambomo in four rounds last December. 

The EBU’s decision offers the popular 35-year-old a chance to reclaim a title he never lost in the ring and also provides him with a pathway back to major fights. It also gives Weiss, 30, the opportunity to prove his own world class credentials. 

“We’ve been messed about a couple of times regarding potential fights but, really, we’ve been happy to be patient for the right opportunity because it’s about making the right fight. We also understand just how important the EBU title is and how big and important a part it’s played in David’s past,” Avanesyan’s manager, Neil Marsh, told BoxingScene.

“David has a lot of affection for the title. He grew accustomed to having the belt and being known as the European champion and he wants it back.”