Manager: Ivan Baranchyk still out of WBSS, will not fight Josh Taylor on May 18

This past Friday, the World Boxing Super Series put out a news release quoting trainer Pedro Diaz in regards to his figher Ivan Baranchyk’s scheduled 140-pound tournament semifinal fight with Josh Taylor, to take place on May 18 in Glasgow.

There were questions, of course, because the last pretty much anyone knew, Baranchyk had withdrawn from the tournament in late January, citing financial issues, communication issues, and scheduling issues with the tournament’s organizers.

Now, in a report at ESPN, Baranchyk’s manager Dave McWater is making it very clear: Baranchyk is out of the tournament, and won’t be fighting Taylor on May 18.

“We’re mad as hell about that release. It’s just horseshit. We have adamantly told (tournament owner Comosa AG) that we are no longer in the tournament. ... Pedro is Ivan’s trainer but he is not involved in the business side of things. It was just a horseshit, a bush-league move by them. All the problems with the tournament, they have brought them on themselves because they don’t do things the right way and this is emblematic of it.”

Baranchyk (19-0, 12 KO) beat Anthony Yigit in the first round on Oct. 27 in New Orleans, claiming the vacant IBF junior welterweight title in the process. His meeting with Taylor (14-0, 12 KO) was on paper going to be a good one — two young, unbeaten top fighters in a competitive weight class, in the tournament format, with a trip to the final on the line.

McWater tells ESPN that he has been talking with Comosa AG’s Kalle Sauerland, but it sounds like Team Baranchyk have no real intention of moving forward with the tournament unless Comosa AG “stop threatening (them) with legal action,” which he says they are continuing to do.

Long story short, unless something dramatically changes here, don’t expect Taylor-Baranchyk to take place.