Avtandil Khurtsidze to face Tommy Langford for interim WBO title

As expected, WBO #1 middleweight contender and mandatory challenger Avtandil Khurtsidze has accepted step-aside money from champion Billy Joe Saunders. While Saunders goes after a "major fight," Khurtsidze will take on WBO #3 Tommy Langford on April 22nd for an interim title.

Khurtsidze (32-2-2, 21 KO) has been on the shelf since blasting out Antoine Douglas last March. "Tazman," who turns 38 in May, has the raw aggression and durability to give anyone at 160 issues, but time may be closing his window of opportunity.

Langford (18-0, 6 KO) was all set to fight Chris Eubank Jr. for the British middleweight title last year before the latter so graciously vacated for Langford’s protection. He instead took a split decision over Sheffield’s Sam Sheedy in November.

He is eight inches taller and a decade younger than Khurtsidze.

The Leicester card will also feature Tyrone Nurse and Jahmaine Smyles defending their British titles against Joe Hughes and Darryll Williams, respectively, and Vijender Singh in his ninth professional fight.